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Is It Time To Restore?


Best Answer sonikk4 , 10 February 2019 - 08:34 PM

I have seen far far worse.

 

The boot floor could be as simple as a new battery box, the hole in the boot floor at the rear needs to be cleaned up properly to see whats happening.

 

Doors, yes new skins needed.

 

The scuttle, now i would take the windscreen out, remove the filler and see exactly what is going on there.

 

The A panels are full of filler, replace them but be prepared to see rust behind.

 

If there is rust around the rear window at the bottom and down the sides then a new panel will be needed.

 

Outer sills remove and see whats lurking there.

 

The rear valance could just be surface rust but strip the paint off to see whats going on.

 

And the rest of it i would say now is the time to rip into the car and start stripping it all down ready to restore, thats my personal take on it.

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#16 humph

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Posted 11 February 2019 - 12:31 PM

If you can't do the welding yourself get a quote from a Mini resto specialist, ideally a few, and compare the cost of that to buying a new heritage shell.  It may be far easier to go down this route unless your Mini is particularly rare or you're particularly bothered about using the original shell.



#17 andyapanel

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Posted 11 February 2019 - 12:33 PM

Nick (Col's Mini Centre) is top notch. I have used him for 20 years.



#18 Davemac80

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Posted 11 February 2019 - 12:54 PM

Mine was very similar minus the running engine and MOT, start with a bit of exploratory work, it turned into full restoration ? once you prod a few rust bubbles it just gets worse.

#19 wile e coyote

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Posted 11 February 2019 - 01:38 PM

Don't wish to be prophet of doom here... But what you have is a running complete car... Only you can know your appetite, enthusiasm and funding position...
Car certainly salvageable but at a rough estimate be prepared for 2-300 hours of your labour and 3-4k....
Id just air the possibility of selling it on as is and the buying a better example...
There's nothing as heartbreaking as an abandoned project... Most of the money ploughed in and comparatively worthless as an incomplete non runner.....
Just saying.....

But you could prioritise the repairs and treat as a rolling resto....

#20 Dandyer1995

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Posted 11 February 2019 - 02:02 PM

Don't wish to be prophet of doom here... But what you have is a running complete car... Only you can know your appetite, enthusiasm and funding position...
Car certainly salvageable but at a rough estimate be prepared for 2-300 hours of your labour and 3-4k....
Id just air the possibility of selling it on as is and the buying a better example...
There's nothing as heartbreaking as an abandoned project... Most of the money ploughed in and comparatively worthless as an incomplete non runner.....
Just saying.....

But you could prioritise the repairs and treat as a rolling resto....

No that's why i posted. appreciate the feedback. Good or Bad. I'm not after people just telling me it'll be fine if that makes sense. It is a running Car my worry is is it safe? or as safe as a mini can be. i'm mega enthusiastic (i know most are at the start) but its all I've ever been interested in and restoring a car has always been a dream. Funding is good. expecting the car to have run up that kind of money and then some on repairs alone so doesn't scare me. i'll spend what funds i can then save for the next bit. I'm 23 and have a very nice daily company car time is on my side too. I'd never sell it as its my pride and joy. I do understand that a lot get left half finished i know a few people that are in that very place. 

 

the rolling resto was my original plan.

 

I'm going to dig a little deeper into it. there's a few weekends work to just get it back onto the road. It needs brakes and pads which i have ready to fit. I just feel like it makes more sense to get the full picture of what i'm dealing with first.

Nick (Col's Mini Centre) is top notch. I have used him for 20 years.

Maybe its worth taking it to him for a once over. I'm sure someone with his knowledge with give me a definitive answer.  

 

Mine was very similar minus the running engine and MOT, start with a bit of exploratory work, it turned into full restoration ? once you prod a few rust bubbles it just gets worse.

This ultimately is the issue. i know its all there hiding waiting to be found. to me it just doesn't make sense to drive it knowing its got those issues.



#21 Davemac80

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Posted 11 February 2019 - 10:32 PM

I understand, where you're coming from, I could have got mine through an MOT for a few hundred quid and some more half hearted fixes ( she's had a few in her life prior to me buying her). But safety was my big thought and like you I didn't need her as a daily, so I jumped straight in ? but I'm loving it! Learning loads on the way.

Edited by Davemac80, 11 February 2019 - 10:33 PM.


#22 Dandyer1995

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Posted 18 February 2019 - 04:59 PM

For thosw who said it was time to restore you was right! Ive started a project thread but it needs some work.

http://www.theminifo...r-project-alan/

Edited by Dandyer1995, 18 February 2019 - 04:59 PM.





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