40 replies to this topic

[Simont]

 

waddle, as has been discussed here many times, shell swapping is illegal, unless you mean a new Heritage shell. Have you seen the price of those lately? Not worth it for a City E, surely?

The thing to bear in mind is that the MOT rust test is basically useless as it fails miserably to deal with some serious issues outside of the "prescribed areas", but, more annoyingly in this case, does not actually state where the problems actually lie.

We nay infer that this is going to be a floor/sills/inner wings/heelboard/Rear subframe job at least, but without seeing the car it is impossible to be more specific. But as it has apparently been patched for years to scrape through successive MOT tests the situation may not be good.

I would seriously suggest selling it to someone who has the capability to restore it properly.

End of the day, the model is somewhat irrelevant now days.. a mini is a mini to most - it could be rebuilt as absolutely anything the op wishes! 

 

As I understand it, re-shelling can be somewhat of a grey area? Although.. whilst I will not recommend it as I'm by no means in a position to do so.. it is VERY common and has revived many, many minis over time - people will use the original log book , swap the id plates over and build it back up. as long as its a shell of the same mark and roughly year.. whats different to that and replacing just about every panel as with large restos?  an entire new shell is even more un-original! 

 

 

Whilst It's up to the individual what he/she chooses to do with ones own car,

 

Seeing as this is a public forum, it is very unwise to encourage people to do something that could result in their pride and joy ending up worthless on a Q plate,

the legalities of Reshelling has been debated over and over,
 

[FlyingScot]

waddle, as has been discussed here many times, shell swapping is illegal, unless you mean a new Heritage shell. Have you seen the price of those lately? Not worth it for a City E, surely?
The thing to bear in mind is that the MOT rust test is basically useless as it fails miserably to deal with some serious issues outside of the "prescribed areas", but, more annoyingly in this case, does not actually state where the problems actually lie.
We nay infer that this is going to be a floor/sills/inner wings/heelboard/Rear subframe job at least, but without seeing the car it is impossible to be more specific. But as it has apparently been patched for years to scrape through successive MOT tests the situation may not be good.
I would seriously suggest selling it to someone who has the capability to restore it properly.

End of the day, the model is somewhat irrelevant now days.. a mini is a mini to most - it could be rebuilt as absolutely anything the op wishes! 
 
As I understand it, re-shelling can be somewhat of a grey area? Although.. whilst I will not recommend it as I'm by no means in a position to do so.. it is VERY common and has revived many, many minis over time - people will use the original log book , swap the id plates over and build it back up. as long as its a shell of the same mark and roughly year.. whats different to that and replacing just about every panel as with large restos?  an entire new shell is even more un-original!

Not a grey area at all, there are rules covering it and the arguments have been rehearsed many times on here. The difference to replacing all the major panels again has been covered to death, whilst you may not like it/think it's logical it doesn't mean you can ignore.

OP Rebuild if you can afford it, otherwise sell it to someone who can and buy a better one

FS

[lawrence]

Bobbym18, it would be worthwhile adding some photos up on here. They will explain alot clearer what you are dealing with and we can assist alot better when we have something other than a fail sheet to go by.

[bobbym18]

Sure thing, heres a couple of photos. This is the driver side rear wheel arch and drivers side door pan. The garage I had it in cut a hole and thats basically all they did :/ 

Attached Files

•  IMG_6265.JPG   49.39K   32 downloads
•  IMG_6268.JPG   47.63K   36 downloads

[Carlos W]

waddle, as has been discussed here many times, shell swapping is illegal, unless you mean a new Heritage shell. Have you seen the price of those lately? Not worth it for a City E, surely?
The thing to bear in mind is that the MOT rust test is basically useless as it fails miserably to deal with some serious issues outside of the "prescribed areas", but, more annoyingly in this case, does not actually state where the problems actually lie.
We nay infer that this is going to be a floor/sills/inner wings/heelboard/Rear subframe job at least, but without seeing the car it is impossible to be more specific. But as it has apparently been patched for years to scrape through successive MOT tests the situation may not be good.
I would seriously suggest selling it to someone who has the capability to restore it properly.

End of the day, the model is somewhat irrelevant now days.. a mini is a mini to most - it could be rebuilt as absolutely anything the op wishes! 
 
As I understand it, re-shelling can be somewhat of a grey area? Although.. whilst I will not recommend it as I'm by no means in a position to do so.. it is VERY common and has revived many, many minis over time - people will use the original log book , swap the id plates over and build it back up. as long as its a shell of the same mark and roughly year.. whats different to that and replacing just about every panel as with large restos?  an entire new shell is even more un-original!

If you find a shell in such good condition why not just keep its original ID?

Because it's someone's stolen pride and joy perhaps?

Edited by Carlos W, 18 May 2017 - 07:02 PM.

[waddle]

you could keep the id or swap it up to you

 

I still don't buy into this all shells with no Id are stolen business

[Carlos W]

you could keep the id or swap it up to you
 
I still don't buy into this all shells with no Id are stolen business

How do you know?

It's called ringing

[waddle]

Well, no one knows, its all speculation, if anyone knew then we would know where every stolen mini goes, wouldn't we!

 

If you have both ID's so you know both are kosha I can't see a problem as long as its like for like.

[Carlos W]

Well, no one knows, its all speculation, if anyone knew then we would know where every stolen mini goes, wouldn't we!
 
If you have both ID's so you know both are kosha I can't see a problem as long as its like for like.

Other than the fact it's illegal

[waddle]

but would anyone ever know......

[Carlos W]

but would anyone ever know......

I could kill someone, would anyone ever know?

Doesn't change the fact it's illegal

[waddle]

i supose you never speed either....

[Carlos W]

i supose you never speed either....

Did a speed awareness course last month.

And suppose has 2 Ps

But you're comparing criminal offences with non-recordable offences

[Ben_O]

Yes it happens and yes it's wrong but we should not be making recommendations on here to carry out ringing.

 

As has been said, if you find another shell in good condition that has it's own i.d, then there should be no reason to swap the i.d from one to the other.

 

The failure items listed by the OP seem nowhere near worthy of a re-shell.

There are various options available from mot patch up repairs right through to a new complete floor pan with heel board and sills plus everything in between.

 

If you are unable to carry out the repairs yourself, then it may be worth visiting a nearby body guy or restoration company and have then prepare you a quote for the work.

 

Good luck with it

 

Ben

Edited by Ben_O, 18 May 2017 - 09:08 PM.

[feybrand]

Its not rotten enough for a reshell ...heritage or otherwise.

 

What you have is a bog standard restoration base ..... Get a welder and some scrap metal and teach yourself to weld then strip the car and slowly cut and replace the rot.

 

At the end of the day Welding is not that difficult with practice and a bit of research,go to your local garage and look at the guys working there and ask yourself is that guy really more intelligent than i am ....the answer will almost certainly be no unless the guys 60 and been a mechanic and bodywork expert since he was 10.

Their all spotty school leavers who can't tell their arris from their elbow.

 

In my experience work done at garages and even some specialist restorers is horific and borderline dangerous,they always cut corners and rush the job as its the only way to make it profitable...a home restoration in my opinion is 100 times better.

 

Youtube will help you as will this forum of course ...go through other peoples rebuild threads to learn what pitfalls we all fall into and what mistakes we all make.

 

Even if you mess up you can cut out what you have done and re do it till you get it right.

 

Taake the plunge once you get started you will wonder why you were undecided.