5 replies to this topic

[matta777]

Hi guys!
My Mini is looking solid at the moment, and I wanted to weld something. So I decided to convert an old mk3 bootlid to the earlier mk1/2 style to keep me busy with the welder!
I know this has been done on the forum before but I wanted to make a post.
Ive been teaching myself how to weld/paint etc so its not perfect but thats why Im doing little projects like this;
I bought this bootlid on facebook locally for £20, good price I thought! Especially with the Mk2 badge.

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First thing to do was strip the it all down and weld the holes I wouldnt need anymore.

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Next was to mark out and cut the lower section ready for the new panel, as far as I remember there were 2 spotwelds that need to be drilled/ground out.

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I cleaned up any rust, treated and painted with weld through primer. I clamped down the new panel and tacked down. Throughout the welding I took my time to prevent distortion as much as possible.

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I used plenty of sealant in the back to keep the water out before folding it over.

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All ground down, the GB badge is bolted on so those 4 holes had to be welded before moving on.

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Had to test it with the numberplate and badge! 😂

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Now to (try to) make it smooth!

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[markking]

Thread revival, amazing job.

My question is: how have you attached the plinth to the bootlid? And how did you then attach the number plate to the plinth?

Many thanks
Mark.

[Tupers]

From the factory there would be two hinge pieces that bolts onto captive nuts in the boot lid and match up with pins on the back of the number plate backing. If you were doing a conversion you could just use rivnuts instead of trying to weld in captive nuts.

The number plate just gets drilled and bolted to the backing where ever the bolts sit well.

These are the hinge pieces.
http://www.minispare...|Back to search
http://www.minispare...66.aspx|Back to

This is backing panel/plinth.
http://www.minispare...|Back to search

[Bobbins]

I'm intending to do the same conversion to an '86 Mini ... looking at the photo that shows the exposed boot frame, it would appear that the open frame has not changed since the Mk1/2 boot and there still appears to be a recess in the frame for the number plate light. Is it therefore possible to fit a full Mk1/2 boot skin rather than messing about trying to marry up the conversion panel?

 

 

Attached Files

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[Tupers]

You could if MK1 boot skins were available but I haven’t seen Heritage offer then as their own piece only the whole boot. Mini Sport do list an aluminium skin but they’re out of stock.

[Bobbins]

It's the aluminium version I was thinking but stock does seem to be an issue!