10 replies to this topic

[Someonefromholland]

So I just bought my first Mini, A 1.3 SPI from 1994. Has done a total of 85.000 Kilometers (allegedly). I'm the eight owner, and probably the worst. I bought the car and once it survived the 200 kilometers home, I put it in the garage and the car met Mr. Grinder and Mr Sander. I was told it's a "hard" (in Dutch) Mini, as in; it doesn't have any big rust issues. I should have known better.... It's a Mini.

 

The first night I owned the mini, we decided we should try and fit four people in the car. So we did.... And I can now confirm it's a Mini. The already lowered mini was defnitely not liking it's four person payload. The rear shocks are shot ( or at least not working as they should), and all 12 inches of rear wheels were rubbing up into my arches. Slow and steady through the corners, and we made it safely to our destination (apart from the malfunctioning seatbelts). Driving back, we hit some rain, well.. A lot. Which was a good time to figure out if the mini was really the "hard"  mini the previous owner told me it was. I shoved my hand below the carpets, and the wet-ness of my hand told a different story. The mini is a sieve. Way worse than I hoped. 

 

Together with the rain, the plans of doing a rolling restoration drained away. I parked the mini in the garage, and then the fun started. 

 

From now on my plan:

1. Remove rust, make mini solid again
2. repaint inside
3. repaint outside (yes, I'm attempting a diy respray, bear with me)
4. fit proper sound deadening and refit interior
5. Mechanical workings cleanup
6. Drive it for a while
7. TURBO

Now let the pictures do the talking.

 

 

This is what and how I bought it. (including Dutch numberplate and unpainted polyester front)

 

 

 

 

 

 

drivers side rust (english passenger side)

 

removing rust below previously fitted wheel arches

 

now time for a welder, heaps of time and a truck full of money..

 

 

[Someonefromholland]

So, some work has been done in the last 1.5 weeks. Luckily I have the help of my brother, which speeds up the process big time. Summation of what has been done:

• Rust left side window patched
• Rear subframe mounting replaced
• Rear subframe cleaned, and treated rust
• all roof corners that contained rust patched
• Rear window rust removed
• Old wheel arch wheels welded shut
• Removed all bitumen like sound deadening mess inside the car
• Started working on the (for the Englishman) the passenger side footwell rust
• Removed the footwell at the (English) driverside.

Now for the pictures

 

Rear subframe removed, started working on the side window rust.

 

Window rust removed and new piece welded in

 

Wheel arch holes plugged

 

Blank metal primed (I think I'm leaving the front seats out...)

 

Sound deadening removed.

 

New passenger side footwell piece made (worked out quite well)

 

Outside of passenger side footwell

 

Next steps: Fix right side subframe mounting, replace complete right side floorpan, fix rust in boot, replace right inner sill, replace right outer sill and fix small bit of rust on the rear subframe.

 

Enough to do!

 

 

[Someonefromholland]

It's been a few weeks, and we've done some.

 

Main results of the last few weeks:

• Left side car rust almost completely removed
• Right side floor fitted
• Front shock absorber mounts fixed
• Started on door rust 
• cross beam rust fixed
• Rear valance lip removed (sorry purists) 
• right side door step fitted
• Plugged all holes in arches, scuttle panel and dash. 

Main things on the list still:

• Finish right side door step
• fit right side outer sill 
• fit boot floor replacement panels
• Remove subframe rust, and paint

Bracing: yes, Floor: no

 

cross beam fixed

 

 

Right side floor fitted

 

New doorstep fitted

 

Quite pleased with doorstep fitment before welding

 

 

I will upload some more pics after coming weekend. Progressing slowly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ryomini]

Looks great, you seem to be at home welding

I painted mine myself using a 2 pack urethane and an Iwata paint gun - that was the best part for me

keep up the good work

[Someonefromholland]

Looks great, you seem to be at home welding

I painted mine myself using a 2 pack urethane and an Iwata paint gun - that was the best part for me

keep up the good work

 

Thanks! Well... I've done some welding before, but welding thin sheet metal is a whole different ball game. But we are managing I think  . Could be worse I guess

[Someonefromholland]

Weekend almost over, done heaps! Friday I worked on my BMW R60/7 custom café, but got a few friends to work on the subframe and the doors. Saturday got me time to finish the right doorstep and outer sill. And with that, the biggest step in rebuilding the mini has been made thus far. After this we were able to remove all bracing as the right floor, sill and doorstep were in again. I hoped to receive the paint for my subframe this weekend, but that plan didn't catch. Guess I will be painting the subframe in the coming week in the evening hours. Finally we stripped the doorframes and painted those in 2 pack. Good progress if you ask me. 

 

Now time for pictures. 

 

stripped subframe

 

Awful bit of rust on bottom of subframe ( on both sides)

 

Repaired subframe ( quite properly welded if I say so..)

 

Doorstep fitted

 

Doorstep plug welded

 

Quarter panel welded (will need some body filler...)

 

Carcheology... This door has been Black, orange red and and blue.

 

 

And finally we removed the bracing, and put the car back on a normal level. Whoa this thing is low. We temporarily placed a rear wheel in the wheel well, just to get the feel. 

 

That's all for this week. Stay tuned.

Edited by Someonefromholland, 09 October 2016 - 09:01 PM.

[ryomini]

Your welding looks tidy - coming along nicely

[minimissions]

wow nice fast work there, looks like she will be a great little car at the end

[Someonefromholland]

Thanks guys! Appreciate it.

[Someonefromholland]

Milestone subframe pained. Subframe is now completely clean and neat, and is drying as I'm typing this. Very pleased with the end result, looks the part.

 

Sealed the metal with a rust sealer to prevent rust for a few more years (yes, nothing is permanent...)

 

After I did the sealilng, I got my girlfriend to work. She likes painting, and I like her help.

 

All painted up. She also did the brake drums, and radius arms. Those look like new! Very pleased.

 

The end result.

[midridge2]

Looking good and the welding is very good.