7 replies to this topic

[Norfolk Boy]

I'm guessing this has been asked before a few times but here's goes. Went to look at a 1991 Cooper carb model today it's had new floors and sills but needs quite a bit of other bodywork doing. Which is :-
Pair of wings
Pair of A panels
Scuttle panel
Nearside doorskin and lower frame
Both side lower rear quarter repair panels
Lip that rear bumper mounts to looks a bit crusty too. Would also like to remove plastic arches to run archless 10"s, then respray, roof doesn't need spraying. Would just like a ballpark figure to see whether it's worth buying in the first place. Any help gratefully received.

[sonikk4]

It's the proverbial how long is a piece of string. If it's that bad already then walk away unless you can weld yourself. It won't be cheap

[cityspeed]

Panels might set you back £350 + for the ones you have stated, if you go heritage, but normally ends up being more
A couple of those like lower quarter repairs and door skins are ok non genuine,
Good place for panels is : m-machine
With all that work your looking at a full respray on top minus your roof which should save you a few quid, anything from £1000 / £2500+
But being a mini it might have have a few surprises so you have to be very flexible with your budget, but it's a nice model to get hold of being a carb it's nice and simple.

+ sonikk4 stated if you can't weld then it's not one to consider, If you can do as much of it yourself it will bring the price down but become a massive undertaking for a tiny car!

Edited by cityspeed, 22 January 2017 - 05:26 PM.

[DJS911]

And if you can't weld yet, buy a welder and learn - you won't regret it and will learn a huge amount about your car!

[Norfolk Boy]

Cheers guys for the replys at the moment I can't do any of the work myself and it all seems a bit frightening I only have a half garage to work in and was planning on just taking it to a local specialist (Anglian Mini centre) the car has a years mot so in two minds what to do.

[Joe Nation]

Maybe use it until the MOT runs out, and save up and get it done properly or sell it on if you change your mind.

[Norfolk Boy]

Had a quote for repairs and paint today of £3500-£4000 which on one hand seems steep but I know it would be a proper job. However I've decided to wait for a better car bodywork wise so my search continues.

[Cooperman]

If you work it out the body panel work which includes taking the screen out and probably some repairs to the top of the bulkhead would likely be 4 days work at 7 hours per day. Thenot there is the pre-painting prep, the priming & top coat painting, re-fitting the screen and doors, say another 3 x 7-hour days and that comes to 49 man-hours. At around £50 per hour that is £2450 plus panels, paint and consumables, so £3500 is a minimum really.
Many of us could never afford our classic cars if we couldn't do virtually all the work ourselves. I know the only work I can't do is painting in metallic finishes.