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My Major Mini Project, The Money Pit!


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#1 Charliehelms

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Posted 30 June 2018 - 07:16 PM

Hello all

 

Still new to this forum and mini ownership

 

Back story is, I've wanted a mini ever since I can remember, and with a few big bangs to the head along the way in life, the fact I can still remember I want and love mini's is good going.

 

I've been looking for years and have always been nervous about getting into it, but at 5:30 in the morning a few weeks ago, going through the morning routine, I stumbled upon what was to be my first mini!

 

I exchanged texts with the owner during the day, and plucked up the courage to take a look that evening. Well, the smile on my face sold it and I made a deal.

 

I knew what I was getting into at the time, wanting a project. But for the money think I got a good base. There is of course rust, and not nice bits. But knowing that I would be going through a full restoration, its all good. 

 

Had the car around 3 weeks now, so here you go!

 

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Then the deconstruction began!

 

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Edited by Charliehelms, 09 July 2018 - 08:49 AM.


#2 Eds.mini.lulu

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Posted 30 June 2018 - 07:59 PM

Looking good, what's your plans regarding the restoration?

#3 minimissions

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Posted 30 June 2018 - 08:01 PM

What a cracking looking mini I leant to drive in th exact same model so would love to have it back but not seen it about for years...

#4 Charliehelms

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Posted 30 June 2018 - 08:13 PM

I love it. It brings such a smile as im driving it. Restoration wise, the body will be completley sorted, also subframes. Engine rebuilt with a cooper head and made lovely. Interior re trimmed in some lovely leather and just made lovely. Ive already taken delivery of some center clocks

#5 Charliehelms

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Posted 01 July 2018 - 07:06 PM

So, a bit more graft on the mini, stripping it ready to start again!

 

Mainly uncovering the usual rust problems but so far not too bad

 

 

 

Interior pretty much done

 

 

 

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Arches removed, not too bad under here.....so far.....

 

 

 

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Rust, rust, rust!

 

 

 

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Thats it for now, but the journey continues!


Edited by Charliehelms, 09 July 2018 - 09:02 AM.


#6 cp2708

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Posted 03 July 2018 - 07:41 AM

For some inspiration, I saw this 20000km example in Copenhagen, It has cooper decals on but is a Racing LE. It  was immaculate, and for sale for Euro 10000. 

Yours looks in very good, original condition. It is the same age as mine, they seem to last pretty well from that sort of year, certainly better than the later ones. 

 

Attached File  IMG_9295comp.JPG   88.9K   9 downloads 



#7 johnR

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Posted 03 July 2018 - 09:09 AM

Most forum posters have moved to Imgur for photo handling as Photobucket doesn't show

#8 Charliehelms

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Posted 09 July 2018 - 09:16 AM

Hello all, so managed to spend a little more time on the mini this weekend. Its off to have the bodywork properly sorted this week. God knows how long thats going to take! I'd love to spend the time doing it myself but with work and family life I just don't have that kind of time. At least this way I know that I will be getting a proper job done. 

 

I've uncovered a lot more rust as I've been going along, holes and rot were to be expected. This forum has proved so handy, reading others build threads and getting ideas and help along the way. 

 

Going to be sticking with the 998 engine, but having a few tweaks done to it to get a little more from it. I wish I had taken a picture of the oil from the 'Recent' service as it was terrible.

 

Theres lots of things to clean and replace. Im really looking forward to next summer now!

 

Heres a few pics as it stands now

 

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#9 minimissions

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Posted 10 July 2018 - 05:35 AM

I like the sound of your plans, plus the car doesn't look to bad it looks to just to need all the normal mini issue areas that need sorting. It will all be so worth it.






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