24 replies to this topic

[lewBlew]

Hello… thought I’d start a thread for my Mini Mayfair which I bought in March. It’s more of a rolling resto than a project since it’s my daily driver, and my only car which means it’s a pain when it goes wrong!

I knew it needed some work when I bought it, but as always you don’t realise how much. Still, I’m used to it, having had 3 Capris and 2 MGBs in recent history. This, however, is my first Mini.

When I went up to Golders Green in London to buy it, this how it looked:

 b37bac8d.jpg   65K   12 downloads

 2-2.jpg   82.38K   5 downloads

Nice and shiny and original but in reality needing a bit of tlc. I’ve done some but there’s still plenty to do. Currently it’s looking like this:

 2.jpg   165.33K   5 downloads

 3.jpg   136.07K   5 downloads

Edited by lewBlew, 26 October 2015 - 11:07 AM.

[OllieTheWelder]

Nice original project!

[lewBlew]

Here’s what I’ve done so far:

Mechanics

Powerspark electronic ignition

Removed yucky foam from back of engine bay

Front brakes and ball joints

Renewed and bled brake and clutch fluid

Brake master cylinder cap

Upgraded to heavy duty bypass hose after TWO concertina ones burst

Bottom radiator hose and flushed through cooling system

Coolant temperature sensor

Oil pressure sender

New hot air duct to air filter

New vacuum unit

Oil change, plugs, leads, rotor arm, dizzy cap, air filter, fan belt, dashpot oil

Greased suspension

Replaced bodged fuel hose which was dripping near the exhaust!

Body

Chipped off front floorpan soundproofing and painted

Cabin

Radio cassette player from a Mini Cooper Sport 500

New indicator/wiper stalks

Steering column bushes

Painted and draught-proofed heater box, replaced leaky heater matrix

N/s window glass rails

Replaced check arm seals and waterproofed inside of doors

New door pockets

Repaired rip in seat cover

Rear quarterlight seals

External trim

Period number plates (naughty)

Painted grille

Wheel trims, which are pretty horrible – I’m looking for a set of Rover 12x4.5 Minilites

New wheel arch covers

Bumpers refurbished for £1 - see http://www.theminifo...-rusty-bumpers/

New front indicators and rear light clusters

Rover radio aerial

N/s wing mirror

Windscreen wipers and arms

Washer jets which fit

I like things standard and I’d say this one is 99% original. Off the top of my head only the electronic ignition and current wheel trims are not, oh and the door pockets are slightly different colours to the originals… but that’s being fussy

Edited by lewBlew, 11 September 2012 - 06:01 PM.

[lewBlew]

Nice original project!

Thanks

Later this month I’m getting the bodywork sorted. I can’t weld and have nowhere to do it anyway, but am lucky to have a friendly Mini specialist nearby. It’s having:
 

Front suspension, as it's mostly collapsed!

Rear subframe

Rear valance

Boot floor repair

Scuttle repair and windscreen

N/s A-panel

N/s door

O/s inner sill and drain holes in the oversills until they are eventually ripped off (previous owners, grr)

A couple of other little bits…

Here's some photos of the bad bits

Scuttle and windscreen has water damage
 4.jpg   113.19K   2 downloads

I've painted the floors but the step is shot on this side and is being totally replaced
 5.jpg   126.58K   6 downloads

Rear valance has had a bit of a bump!
 6.jpg   104.51K   0 downloads

Rear subby has been welded in two places - EEK - and has holes in, so that's going
 7.jpg   121.69K   1 downloads

Boot floor also has a hole...
 8.jpg   191.61K   1 downloads

Edited by lewBlew, 26 October 2015 - 11:06 AM.

[Stuart92]

A very nice tidy car!

[lewBlew]

Took some nice photos of the Mini in sunny Southampton, before it goes away...

 9.jpg   164.19K   2 downloads

 10.jpg   101.07K   0 downloads

 11.jpg   119.22K   1 downloads

 12.jpg   52.17K   4 downloads

Can't wait to shove some Minilites on there!

Edited by lewBlew, 26 October 2015 - 11:05 AM.

[iMurray]

NICE PICS where did you take the top ones? and dont say ocean village;) haha when mine is up and done, photo shoot me thinks!

[lewBlew]

Top ones? It was Ocean Village! Tasman/Pacific Close then Queen's Terrace outside South Western House. A photo shoot would be cool, Red and Blue very apt if you're into football

Anyway, mine's in bits at present but progressing well:

 1.jpg   139.45K   3 downloads

EEK!
 2-1.jpg   196.94K   3 downloads

Better
 3-1.jpg   128.59K   2 downloads

 4-1.jpg   38.03K   1 downloads

 5-1.jpg   144.87K   2 downloads

Edited by lewBlew, 26 October 2015 - 11:04 AM.

[lewBlew]

Another update.... Bodywork continuing to progress well, and I've got hold of and refurbed some original Rover alloys

 20121020_105859.jpg   122.05K   3 downloads

 20121020_110048.jpg   33.52K   1 downloads

 20121020_105934.jpg   27.23K   1 downloads

Link to the alloys thread and photos http://www.theminifo...aint-and-stuff/

Edited by lewBlew, 26 October 2015 - 11:03 AM.

[lewBlew]

Well the Mayfair's back at last and looking great

 293797_3797994993634_1998593776_n.jpg   85.4K   4 downloads

New step (carpet's are back in now)

 20121109_160942.jpg   60.71K   5 downloads

Inner sill

 20121109_161108.jpg   65.14K   3 downloads

 20121109_160846.jpg   61.66K   3 downloads

 20121109_160857.jpg   42.75K   0 downloads

 20121109_160728.jpg   60.19K   2 downloads

Edited by lewBlew, 26 October 2015 - 11:00 AM.

[lewBlew]

Autumn Mini. So glad to have it back!!!

 new3.jpg   105.26K   34 downloads

Edited by lewBlew, 26 October 2015 - 10:57 AM.

[iMurray]

Road to lyndhurst! I cycle that! I love in totton!


Missing my mini so bad

[lewBlew]

Where's yours?

And very good guess but the photos actually the way out of Romsey

I love driving round the Forest though.

[bcjames]

I really really like your Mini! It looks perfect.

[lewBlew]

Thank you!

It will be once I've put the pinstripe back on.

I never used to like the colour at all but with the alloys on now I think it's grown on me.