46 replies to this topic

[Scallywag630]

I thought I'd share the experience of my rebuild even though most of you have already been there!!

I have only owned one mini before, a 1967 moke which was pretty much immaculate when I bought it, so this is the first experience I've had with mini tin worm. I have driven loads of minis as I used to sell them back in the early 1970's.

Anyway, having read other threads, I realised that a little surface rust was probably an indication of a deeper and more serious attack of rust.
Here are some pictures and you might notice the rust under the headlights, on the A panels and on the bottom of the doors.

Firstly I solved the door problem by buying two used doors in perfect condition from a guy near Dartford. The new ones were not the same colour as mine but had impact bars so are safer. The car will need a paint job anyway so colour didn't matter.

It was obvious that I would need someone who could weld. I know some will say I should have learnt to do it myself, but I do beleive in the saying "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" and I also wanted it to resemble a mini after the welding. I got the distinct impression that Shifty did not want to move house purely for the pleasure of welding in the south-east, so a substitute had to be found. I was lucky that through a friend of a friend of a friend etc I found Larry. That will not mean much to you until I tell you he does most of Wood & Picket's welding!!! He had just taken on his own workshop, had three of W&Ps minis, an Alfa and space for mine!

I'll update the pictures when I can, but the car has alread had the front removed. Panels so far: Full scuttle, both scuttle closure panels, both front wings, front panel and both A panels. I also got a dash top rail (Heritage part 14A6675) but had to get it from Holland and by that time Larry had repaired the one in the car. If anyone needs this part, its the only one in the UK until Heritage makes more in Jan.

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[benb12]

The rust certainly seems to have taken hold quite nicely for such a late car! Good luck with the rebuild.

[miniman24]

Looks like youve got your hands full, its scary sometimes how fast the later cars rust... Good to see shes getting the treatment she deserves Looking forward to more updates mate, what are the plans for her?

[Scallywag630]

Thanks for the comments.

Plans at present are to keep her fairly standard but with a few interior upgrades. It already has a full porcelein green leather interior but the dash is not to my taste so has to go. Don't like the checker plate look. Might sound boring but a bit of walnut would look nice. A nice sound system (without huge amps etc) will be fitted. Main reason for keeping it standard is that my son will have it when he is 17 in just over a year. Got to think of insurance rates for him even though it only costs me £85 fully comp.

Any suggestions that do not increase insurance would be most welcome.

[Scallywag630]

Picture of dash that has to go!!

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[benb12]

Completely agree with the dash, walnut is much nicer

[Scallywag630]

OK...with Christmas, New Year and most of the snow gone, work has resumed. The rust on the A panels and below the headlights resulted in the wings, front panel, scuttle and A panels being removed. I'll post pictures soon, but have any of you thought OMG it will never go back on the road? I need not have worried as Larry worked his magic and the car now has a new front end.

It is remarkable how quickly rust can set in on a car thats not that old. It now seems I need a boot floor repair panel, a hinge panel and a new rear valance.
The paint is comming off slowly ready for a full bare metal respray, and to reveal anymore problem areas.

[minimuff]

agreed, how does a newer car rust so badly.

It'll be def well worth it when its done though.

Good luck with it and keep up the photos

[Scallywag630]

Ok..heres some pictures of progress so far

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[Scallywag630]

More pictures

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[Scallywag630]

Its been a while since I updated and I did get a few pictures out of order, so here are some I missed:

Scuttle off and screen out:

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[Scallywag630]

 p2s.jpg   79.24K   17 downloadsMore pictures of hidden rust!!!

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[minimuff]

seems to be coming alng nicely.

great thread.

[Scallywag630]

The front end missing:





















Then starting to put it together again

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Edited by Scallywag630, 21 February 2010 - 02:00 AM.

[Mini Basher]

It really is surprising how badly some of the newer mini's rust, but all credit to you, you'r doing a proper job on restoring this one, its going to look brilliant when it's all done, keep up the good work

Andy