423 replies to this topic

[jack_marshall]

Hey forum. Im new and this is my first post. Im 16 and have a Mini that I am restoring and modifying to my taste for me to drive when I am 17

This will be made easier because my dad restores classics for a living and has been a self employed mechanic for 25 years

I bought the car for £55. Yep, £55! It is a MOT failure because of the rotten floor and sills.

The basic plan goes a little like this:

Exterior

- De-seam entire shell, all sill seams, bumper seams

-De-bumper shell.

-Panel over sun-roof (sunroofs are not good inmy opinion, unless you like wet bums and rust)

-Eradicate any obvious panel joins, extra wiper holes and existing aerial hole.

-Mount roof aerial at front centre.

- Mk1 grille, Mk1 style bonnet (remove lip) and Mk1 bootlid

-Sportspack arches

-12/13" alloy wheels (Minilites/ Starmags etc)

-Paint shell bright yellow (TVR yellow/ Seat Amarillo yellow?)

Interior

-2 Corbeau bucket seats

-Manufacture centre consol (ebay plans available) Cover in black vinyl.

-Rear seats recovered in matching black vinyl.

- New roof liner.

-2 X 5" speakers in rear parcel shelf

- 3 spoke steering wheel

- Black rubber pedal covers

This all may seem a little... Neive? But I am young and clueless :tongue:

Say what you think But be gentle! I'll add some pictures!

Thanks, Jack

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[jack_marshall]

Pair of Corbeau Forza Sport 2000 seats with subframes!

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•  DSC02017.JPG   483.2K   40 downloads

[The Matt]

sounds prety cool to me, one thing I would say though is if you want to go headfirst into a project:

Set a budget!

Sometimes they really run away and you end up spending soooo much more than you originally wanted to.

And I'd check out insurance before you do anythign too major, just adding bigger wheels can seriously effect insurance costs.

I'd say that you deffo want to get all the 'restoration' bits done first, so you start off with a good mini in proper condition as your 'blank canvas'.

Good luck with it all though matey :wink:

[jack_marshall]

Yeah, definately.

Thats why the floors, arches and all structural repairs are being doing before any "extra's" are added.

The budget is 6-£700 which I think is realistic as the labour will be free (dont I know it) and all the materials will only cost trade prices (dads business)

Insurance shouldnt be a problem as I will be going on my dad's business insurance which will cover any named driver in any vehicle up to 1300cc, I am keeping the 998!

Thanks!

[Will]

That looks a nice project, I'm 16 as well and i'm doing that sorta thing as well (not the same though, just restoring and modifying) so good luck with it matey and keep us posted!

[TJenkos]

Looks good, not sure £600/£700 will see you through with it though..

Star mags start at £400

Respray will be about £300

Bucket seats £200

Nice ongoing project for you though


And i didnt know you were 16 Will

[Will]

Yeah i think 6-£700 is a bit optimistic because even that mk1 grille's gonna cost you about £100 (ish). You may be able to get things secong hand though and get some bargains but good luck to you and keep us posted matey!


TJenkos: How old did you think i was??!! lol

Good luck again matey!

[jack_marshall]

Hehe!

The seats where free...

The paint is £200 with polyesther, primer (Dad has paintshop too!)

The majority of parts I plan to hopefully buy second hand, I have plenty of time to search through auto jumbles and the like!

6-£700 seem more realistic yet?

Dont know if many people will like these, but I have just bought them.

With a little modifying of the stems, they should fit well

[jack_marshall]

Mirrors-

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[Will]

Dont think i'm that keen but when i see them on i might really like them. 6-700 sounds better but i still think you may go slightly over. :fear:

[`I C E]

sounds an awful lot like my mini 1000 project, im restoring and selling.
good luck

[jack_marshall]

Cheers for all the comments guys. Keep em coming.

This forum seems ace :grin:

[TJenkos]

I thought you were about 30-40 :fear:

And can you tell me where to get free seats from??

[miniman86]

hi, your mini sounds as if it will be a real head turner, check out my project pictures if you want, theyre called my mini project, lots of pics!

[jack_marshall]

Free seats.... Long story....

But a kind of part exchange for jobs.... A good £250 worth I think, with subframes.

Ok, I'll check out your project, cheers :grin: