22 replies to this topic

[will_]

Hey guys. Thought it about time we got this party started !
In April of 2010, an ebay 'just browsing' session, a bad case of auction fever saw me the proud winning bidder of a 1997 Mini Cooper Sport Pack in Almond Green. The colour was what kept me bidding !
She was driven home and named Doris.

Within one week, Doris was taken apart with an Grinder as I set about buying inner wings, dash top panel, scuttle and a few other odds. Alas, the project never took off, as I always found other things to spend the money saved up, on. As a home owner, kitchens, bathrooms and the wife all got their own way.

So, rather than save to pay someone else, I'm going to give her a whirl myself !
I have minor welding skills, and hopefully you lot on my side, so here's the start of my project. :)

Here's how she sits, and has done for 4 years. Tonight I pumped up her tyres and pushed her out of hibernation.







Looking tiny againsed my CTR. I'm sure Doris would enjoy the engine much more !











I'm pretty nervous about taking her on but it's only hard work!
All comments, advise appreciated !!

[minimikej]

Great project! There will be a lot more rust than that I'm afraid

Advice? Just know that you will get there in the end. You will make mistakes, lose interest, and find it again. Don't cut corners with rust repairs, the only way is to chop out and replace. Oh, and measure and brace! I was in a similar position with my mini, get shot of it or fix it properly. That was 5 years ago. And I'm still fixing it :)

Good luck

[JonnyAlpha]

At least its got decent wheels!!

 

Only joking, what a cracking project to get your teeth into, I am in a similar position although mines an HLE 1000. My son bought if off Ebay for £400 we started on it but then I had to work away and blah blah. 

Anyway I have been hard at it for the last 4 months and hoping to at least get it MOT'd in the next month or so?

 

Mines Blue and we where considering going Green White

 

Good luck

[Skable]

My Mini has also been sat in the garage for 4 years. Decided that I should probably get on with it really. I can't help but find myself quite liking the almond green. I've never been a fan of BRG (I know, I'm a heathen), but almond green is nice. Mine's gonna be yellow and black though.

Got a lot of rust on there though, I'm hoping mine isn't that bad, because I've set myself a deadline at the end of June.

 

Good luck with yours.

[Stu.]

Youll have lots of fun with that Will. Ive just got my shell on my home made spit ready for the next 12 months of bodywork fun.

Good luck with it. I think I'll follow your thread :)

[will_]

Thanks for all the well wishes & positive comments !!
Well, on Friday we got old Doris to where I work & plonked her on a ramp. My mates uncle made a start 2 years ago, and cut the o/s inner wing off, he lost interest & I felt I wasn't upto the job so we threw her back In the garage, so I set about getting the repair panel on. Luckily, it was straightforward enough and went on after I'd made another panel that sits behind the shock mount/inner wing.



I did tidy the above more before I closed it up.



Then I fitted the inner wing. I've not closed it up againsed the hinge panel (bar a good tac top & bottom) as it's in poor order.
While I deliberate where to get the hinge panels, I've stripped the n/s inner wing out. Touch more of a job this side as the inner wing comes part of the hinge panel (more so than the o/s) and here's where I'm a little more 'duck out of water'...
As seen below, the check strap bit spot welds inside the hinge panel...



And the part of the A post which holds it needs to be replaced here



I'm just hopeing that this bit can be bought without the hinge panel aswell.

My pal Dan got involved too.



That's all for now, aside from the fact that an old patch on the n/s floor needs chopping out. The joys

[big-jay]

Nice tidy work ! Am following this one

[will_]

Thanks mate. Hope to update more progress by the weekend :)

[Redjohnno]

Just found your thread! Good work Will, and top marks for tackling this yourself. I wouldn't have the confidence to get stuck into it myself. Keep the pics coming!

[will_]

Cheers mate. I'm not so sure myself, luckily a local guy who has a body shop has offered to help where needed although I'm enjoying taking my time & trying to transform the project.
I've got a few bits coming from mini spares tomorrow so watch this space ;)

[will_]

Hey guys. Little progress this weekend.
Ordered a few panels from mini spares. Prompt service from them !
As previously said, the n/s hinge panel comes as part of the inner wing as I preferred heritage items. I wasn't happy with the A post where the hinge panel meets as there were lots of random spot welds I drilled out.
This A post panel was available as a door step only and Doris has had a previous door step repair so out came the grinder !!



And the new one fitted later. I cleaned the inner sill & zinc primered everywhere.





And with inner wing fitted.



I need to tidy all the welds etc but I ran out of time. Few bits to patch where it meets the floor pan then I can get the scuttle & dash rail in. :)

[JonnyAlpha]

Nice work Will, what colour green is that, I was going to do my Mini Almond Green and Old English White but I think it may look a little dated? Although Retro is in.  

 

Sorry just read your first post, it says its Almond Green?? Looks darker than the Almond Greens I have been looking at, like these

Edited by JonnyAlpha, 19 June 2014 - 06:51 PM.

[will_]

Thanks mate. I'm really trying !! I think the paint is terrible on it, no shine !! I'd like it to be the same shade as the car on 'for the love of cars'.

[JonnyAlpha]

Thanks mate. I'm really trying !! I think the paint is terrible on it, no shine !! I'd like it to be the same shade as the car on 'for the love of cars'.

Bit like this one:

 

Spotted this at Beaulie Mini Day, this is the colour scheme I will be doing mine, Mines not a Cooper and not a Mk1 but that's my choice

Edited by JonnyAlpha, 20 June 2014 - 12:10 PM.

[will_]

Yeah, that's it. Looks well that.
If It wasn't already almond green, I'd go storm grey, the only other colour I like.