Hi All,
So, I bought a Mini. Why? Well, I sold my VW T3 van and left a hole in the garage - plus I wanted something to tinker with. I had originally intended to buy a Fiat 500, but the prices of even basket cases were far too high. My Dad suggested a Mini as an alternative and it made sense. Just about everyone in my family has had at least one at some point, so it's almost a tradition!
Being hopelessly impatient, I didn't look for long. I fancied a clubby as I like the look of them. After a perusal of the Car and Classic website, I found what seems a good basis for a project. I spoke to the seller who was hugely helpful. We agreed a price, I hired a trailer and we brought it home. So, what did I get? It was a car that was running well but had some body issues that meant it was failing MOT. The seller bought it as a father and son project, but the son wasn't interested so the Dad did loads of work and then decided that as the father-son part was lacking, he'd shift it on. It has had:
* New floors
* New sills
* New front panel
* Painted underneath with Jenolite as an anti rust treatment, plus three coats of acrylic enamel
* 99% of welding done
* Head skimmed and new unleaded valve seats
* Completely rebuilt carb
It came with most bits to rebuild (although I've got plans as to what is going back in and what will be upgraded). It needs the bodywork refinishing and complete respray, then rebuild. It came with 7 alloy wheels (he bought 5 for the car - including a spare - plus two more for a trailer that never happened) and the original steels. I'm selling the alloys as they are 12" and I am going for 10".
I'm writing up the project plan to get everything down in the right order - if anyone can link me to a guide to the right order to rebuild a Mini, that would be great. I have the Haynes Manual and bought the Haynes Mini Restoration Manual. I also bought the excellent A Series DVD by Bill Sollis.
So, here it is as it stands today:
https://lh5.googleus...857-no/2014 - 1
I'll share the vision for how it'll hopefully end up soon - as well as documenting progress here.
Cheers,
Stu
Edited by StuM, 30 July 2014 - 02:56 PM.