31 replies to this topic

[robot95]

I'm 99% sure those are Dunlop D1 alloys not Rose Petals on the brown mini.

 

Following

True. I just couldnt find a brown mini with Rose Petals ;)

[robot95]

First update on the disassembly!

 

In the past month, and 'with a little help from my friends', I removed the brightwork, front and back windscreen, the doors, complete interior, and dashboard. I found a few bits of rust but I expected it to be worse, so overall happy with the findings (so far). In the past two weeks, I removed the fuel tank (with a few hiccups) and part of the exhaust. The doors were a ******* to remove and I broke a few bolts in the process. I will replace the doors anyway, but I am not sure whether this is going to be a problem later.

 

Next week I want to drain the coolant and remove the heater unit under the dashboard. Then the week after I am planning to remove the engine with a colleague of mine who has done this multiple times. Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly as planned.

 

After that the engine has been removed, the plan is to further strip the car and prepare it for acid dipping. I figured that since there is a lot of undercoat on the underside as well as in the cabin, taking it for an acid bath would be the best way to go forward.

 

Last week I managed to get hold of an HS2 SU carb set including the linkage, heatshield, inlet manifold, and K&N air filters. These will replace the HIF (38 or 44?) carb that is currently installed on the engine.

 

Here are a few pics of the current state (took them before removing the fuel tank).

 

 

[thijsperdok]

Nice project! Looks good so far.

We may see each other on the road one day!

[robot95]

Update #2

 

The engine is out! Took about 2 hours with the help of a colleague. Everything went fairly smoothly, only a few rusted bolts that weren't friendly but overall not too bad. The next plan is to further strip it and address the rust. Of which I found more, unfortunately...

 

Edited by robot95, 14 October 2020 - 02:18 PM.

[robot95]

Update #3

 

Has been a while ;) Corona happened which stalled the project a bit. In the past months, a bit of bodywork has been done. The front, as well as the wings, have been removed. A new front plus wings (without side indicators as per MK1) will be installed after sandblasting. With the help of my colleague, the inner wings have been replaced. In the next months, the plan is to replace more body panels. Due to a curfew, I was restricted in doing bodywork as my colleague needs to help me as I still need to learn a lot about bodywork and welding. In the meanwhile, I have been working on stripping and painting the engine.

 

 

 

[surfblue]

Love a bmc green engine 👍
Personally I wouldn't paint it brown, it's not a typical mk1 colour.
I assume you're on the Mk1 forum also?

[johnR]

Shiny engine! I see you've used proper solid rivets on the rocker cover plates - it's the details that make the difference. 

[robot95]

Love a bmc green engine
Personally I wouldn't paint it brown, it's not a typical mk1 colour.
I assume you're on the Mk1 forum also?

 

Yes I couldnt find a MK1 painted brown, but since it's never going to be a real MK1 anyway I thought why not make it a bit different than your 'average' MK1. I want to give it a typical 60's brown color that fits with that era. Not entirely sure yet on the shade of brown though.

 

Which forum would that be?

[johnR]

Engine looks good - I love that orange even if it's not 'period correct' it so suits the mini bright personality.

[surfblue]

Hi sorry for the slow reply, mk1-forum.net
Is the place for all mk1 related knowledge.

I think the orange really suits it actually. If I was building a non standard car and changing the colour I'd go for dove grey body and oew roof.

Edited by surfblue, 17 April 2021 - 09:51 AM.

[62S]

There wasn't a factory brown colour offered for Mk 1's in the U.K. There was El Paso Beige and Sandy Beige available on Mk 2 Mini's but the first real shade of brown was Antelope that was available from late 1969. A friend had an Antelope 998 Cooper and another had a Woody Traveller in that colour.

[johnR]

There wasn't a factory brown colour offered for Mk 1's in the U.K. There was El Paso Beige and Sandy Beige available on Mk 2 Mini's but the first real shade of brown was Antelope that was available from late 1969. A friend had an Antelope 998 Cooper and another had a Woody Traveller in that colour.

Were the cars painted Antelope a little deerer?

[panky]

 

.

Were the cars painted Antelope a little deerer?

 

 

That's dreadful 

[johnR]

I think they were fitted with twin horns as well

[panky]

Good grief