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#1 dtaper

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Posted 27 February 2009 - 02:00 PM

Hi everybody. i was once a mini owner but regretable sold it 3 years ago. i'm now searching for a project mini to restore myself, as for my last one it was restored by others.
i have no body or mechanical experience but reading this forum gives me hope that i can do it.
well i well let you guys know when i find a mini to start my project.
quick question. alot of minis im looking at need quite a bit of the body to be replaced. what should i stay away from as for changing panels? or do all panels have the difficulty?
thanks guys

#2 mk1leg

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Posted 27 February 2009 - 09:08 PM

Hi..and welcome to TMF and as for restoring DIY style Purchase this book....DIY restoration by Lindsay Porter (pub by Haynes) this is a good place to start, it shows you step by step panel removal...........goog luck........... :cry:

#3 dtaper

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Posted 27 February 2009 - 10:45 PM

Hi..and welcome to TMF and as for restoring DIY style Purchase this book....DIY restoration by Lindsay Porter (pub by Haynes) this is a good place to start, it shows you step by step panel removal...........goog luck........... :D



thanks. i will check into it.

#4 Saxo-Fiesta-Mini

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Posted 27 February 2009 - 11:01 PM

easiest option is find a mini with easy areas to repair, ie floor, sills, front wings rear valence ext other areas i keep clear of under the tank near subfram mounting points on the bulk head and these areas require alot of parts to be removed first

mini are easy to restore and work one one piece of advice before you plan a job get a idea of whats involved ie ask a fello mini enthusiast or easier someone who works at a mini specialist and lastly can you complete the job yourself as many people have started a job then realised theyre short of time, tools, light, space or sanity theyre the 5 tips for any car and the most important rule Patients cause lets face it cars cause problems

#5 minimotor_JD

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Posted 28 February 2009 - 12:02 AM

Hello and Welcome to TMF, we look forward to seeing your project unfold :D

#6 dtaper

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Posted 28 February 2009 - 12:56 AM

time is what i have. skill- none. patience- wears very thin. love for the mini- lots. i just hope i won't be getting over my head. as for mini specialists in my area, i don't know of any. so i'll be resorting to this forum. i hope you guys dont get fed up with me, cause this site is all i have

#7 shaun c

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Posted 28 February 2009 - 01:29 AM

time is what i have. skill- none. patience- wears very thin. love for the mini- lots. i just hope i won't be getting over my head. as for mini specialists in my area, i don't know of any. so i'll be resorting to this forum. i hope you guys dont get fed up with me, cause this site is all i have



welcome im new as well it seems we aer in the same boat so to speak as im looking for a project as well. good luck with your hunting as i no were you are coming, sounds like your having problems finding a goo den to do. im just having prob finding one full-stop.lol

#8 PushingTin

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Posted 28 February 2009 - 01:36 AM

Where are you in the GTA?

PT

#9 dtaper

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Posted 28 February 2009 - 03:17 AM

Where are you in the GTA?

PT


i'm to the east in whitby, which i guess is the gta.

#10 Spitz

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Posted 28 February 2009 - 05:09 PM

Where are you in the GTA?

PT


i'm to the east in whitby, which i guess is the gta.

From what I understand they use alot of salt on the roads in ON....so check for rust on any car you look at.
For a MINI, I would definately buy the best body you can find......the mechanicals are relatively easy. Also dbl check the rear subframe...prone to rust.
The front sub is usualy pretty good thanks to the built in "rust prevention" from the motor/trans

#11 dtaper

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Posted 28 February 2009 - 07:08 PM

the minis that are in my price range right now are gonna be rusty for sure. i really want to spent up to 1500$, so for that price i'm not gonna get much. but with time and money and patience i think i can do it.

#12 PushingTin

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Posted 28 February 2009 - 07:32 PM

It might be worth sourcing one from the states? A California car over 15years old is going to have far less 'salt' oriented problems than a Canadian car, unless of course you can find one that's only been driven in the summer. From my early experiences with my first 3 mini's I agree, the rear subframe is important, but not impossible to replace, most body panels are pretty cheap to buy and given a bit of welding experience, easily replaced.

I don't know what price most mini's are here, but I'm guessing if you only want to spend $1500 then you'll have to put some work in but you could, with time and patience make yourself a nice car..



:yinyang:

PT

#13 dtaper

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Posted 01 March 2009 - 12:08 AM

really thats what i want, i want to do the work my self. make it a hobby. my last mini was really nice, but i didnt have the satisfaction of doing it myself. i know its going to to hard at times, but i'm willing.

#14 cowboy

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Posted 01 March 2009 - 04:11 PM

welcome to TMF

are there many mini over there in toronto for you to choose from, im the other side in alberta, and i have recentlly picked up 2 project cars for my sons, got them for a $1000, i have been told of another mini around here which is in a field with other cars, so if you want i could find out how much they would want for it and if they want to sell it..

#15 dtaper

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Posted 01 March 2009 - 05:14 PM

i have been looking on vancouverminiclub.ca and the minimania site to see what is out there. as for minis in toronto, i wouldn't know as for my options are limited to the internet. i will be phoning tomoro for prices on shipping a mini from western canada to the toronto area. there is currently a clubman in montreal for 1500, but i'm really not keen on them.




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