16 replies to this topic

[minirobbie]

Well I bought my 1979 Mini 850 in August last year the car was registered 2 days before I was born, it looked pretty plain, just had a respray all be it not a very good one and it seemed solid enough.
This is what he looked like when I first got it

Then I started to add a few bit was thinking of making it look like an Itailian Job Replica.



Then a few rust marks started to so and a rather large hole apeared in the inner wing on the driver side, so I though that I'd bit the bullet and undertake a complete rebuild. My original plan was to have him ready for Sandon Hall Mini show in September but I think that it may be a little optimstic, so I hoping for thje first show of the year 2008.
Well heres what I've done so far I've been at it for about 2 weekends









Well this is it for now I'll keep the pictures coming and if anyone has any good tips that may help me though the sleepless nights ahead, all will be welcome.
Thanks for looking

[Retro_10s]

Wow!!! she's a beauty. where tdid you ge the Italian job stylew lamp bar from mate?!

Good luck with the rebuild... looks like you'll hve a stunner of a car,... and nice to see you've gotta car a couple of days older than yourself!!!

[minirobbie]

Hi Retro,
I got the light bar from a company called TT Lyle unfortunatly Terry whos company it was has retired so is no longer in business whitch is a shame, I think that I got one of the last bars he made, they are very rare only seen about 2 or 3 and just makes a change than having the standard works bar.

Just had a look at your site your mini looks cool mate, paint looks really good, don't think that I've got the patiance for all that rubbing down and polishing

[Mincento]

looked pretty smart except the colour but what alloys are they that you fitted? im guessing 10" REVO's? but what width as from one pic it looks like they stick out?

and good luck with the project at least you have a nice dry garage to do it in

paint looks really good, don't think that I've got the patiance for all that rubbing down and polishing

as retro will tell you it is worth all the effort trust me i have done quite a bit of paintwork on cars etc and the difference in quality, shine and lastability between a good quality time taken paint job and a cheap paint job is amazing id definately recomend spendiong most of the ime in the prep etc for paint it eitether makes or breaks a nice car

wayne

[minirobbie]

Well what can I say I'm a little ashamed and embarrassed to find that it was April 2007 since my last post.
Ok update time unfortunately my Mini is still sat in the garage in pretty much the same state as the pictures above. I have done a little work but not much, although I have bought all the panels required and they are ready to be weld to the car, i have also acquired the engine from a MG Metro, which is completely stripped and ready for a rebuild. Now for my excuse as to why the mini has not been touched for about a year, I bought an Alfa to use as my everyday car and got side tracked with a stereo install.

But I have just made a New Years resolution that the mini will be finished this year!!! (hopefully) )

 CIMG2780.JPG   1.58MB   14 downloads
most of the inner wing removed
 CIMG2782.JPG   1.59MB   12 downloads
A reminder to get my backside in to gear
 DSC00026.JPG   659.8K   9 downloads
My Alfa (the reason the mini is in the state above)
 DSC00045.JPG   639.56K   11 downloads
The install

[edi57]

I'm looking forward to seeing regular updates from now on

Best of luck with it.

[minirobbie]

Thanks Edi, I'm going to get stuck in at the weekend now that the 2 weeks of partying has stopped.

[buddylove]

Love the Alfa, hope you get moving with the restore

[analogue_radio]

What are you coming to Bingley Hall in?

[minirobbie]

Sorry I won't be going to Bingley Hall, fistly as I've spent to much money over Christmas , and I want to get cracking on the rebuild. My plan is to have the front end fully welded back on by Easter.

[minirobbie]

Well I went to the garage yesterday, it was the first time this year. didn't really get much done spent about an hour trying to get the generator working to no prevail. attempted the get the drivers inner wing lined up but needed to cut some more metal out, and with no electricity I found this to be quite hard. So I had a bit of a clean up and took some pictures of the nice new shiny rust free panels ready to put back on the car. When I eventually get some power sorted. Hopefully get some more done next weekend.
 DSC00131.JPG   839.47K   16 downloads
 DSC00132.JPG   719.49K   16 downloads
 DSC00133.JPG   856.19K   7 downloads
 wings.JPG   1.6MB   7 downloads

[minirobbie]

Well since I couldn't get the generator to work I got a new one,
Hopefully get some welding done this weekend.

[garethr123]

This just goes to show that from the outside i can look ace (which yours did from the pictures) but that scuttle. ooooooooo.
Keep it up

[Ebony]

Nice project, I have a white 850 which I'm restoring still trying to sort out the back end as Subby was rotten.

I'm trying to restore sompleteley standard so if you have any parts for sale let me know

keep up the ggod work

[minirobbie]

Well after just reading through the thread, I'm about a month late, and finally the front end is welded back on. I had a helping hand from my brother in law Andy, who is a dab hand with a welding gun, so that helps a lot. I also went to Himley Hall a few weeks ago managed to get some disc brakes, and various other parts that where needed. Here a few pictures of the weekends progress!
 CIMG5512.JPG   1.55MB   9 downloads  CIMG5513.JPG   1.58MB   6 downloads  CIMG5515.JPG   1.59MB   14 downloads  CIMG5517.JPG   1.59MB   5 downloadsCIMG5517.JPG]  CIMG5518.JPG   1.57MB   4 downloads  CIMG5519.JPG   1.58MB   5 downloads
 CIMG5522.JPG   1.56MB   11 downloads

Edited by minirobbie, 25 May 2009 - 05:13 PM.