10 replies to this topic

[mini.rich]

Hello, I suppose this is a rebuild in a fashion, lol. When I bought my Cooper 5 years ago I bought this sprite a few weeks before, but me being me I saw the Cooper took a loan out and bought it because I always wanted one! So after getting the Cooper I didn't use this, my mum did use it for a bit and then it sat for a few years ending up looking like this! lol.

So this is Amy the Sprite - AME, on the reg plate She is bog standard apart from the GB Alloys, and the one stainless rear arch, lol. I'm going to be using her as my daily to replace my diesel VW Lupo, which I was going to Rat - but then I wouldn't be able to sell so easily

I've been to a few shows this year and seen quite a few different Rat mini's, I'm not going to go mental with it - no roof racks full of random crap! Just a surf board or my mountain bike.

Over the years I've collected alot of stuff and have some quality bits and some not so quality bits, lol, I'll be using not so good bits on this:P

She has had an accident been sandwhich between two cars, the back end is really bad, the boot floor is a mess and the back panel isn't great! also the rear quarter is slightly bent. I cut the rear valance off earlier this year when I was going to restore it and sell, but then I saw the extent of the shunt I didn't think it was worth it.

She is still going to require some welding but as she's going to be my daily I don't need to do the front end rear end etc. There are a few holes in the boot, the sills need replacing and there is a hole in the rear arch aswell, a weekends work and she'll be ready for the road

If I get a chance at the weekend I'll drag some of the crap out, like doors, bonnet, bumpers, grill etc. Might even fit them Oh and the MK1 red interior is what I'll be fitting in it, fixed back seats all the way, I use to have them in a '83 city and loved them I never have liked the grey pattern seats

So for now enjoy the photo's





Tyre rub damage - angle grinder will soon sort that!!








My clubman in the background



Good rusty sills!



Me and my mates got a bit bored when we were having a band practise and wrote all over the back end





Front and rear seats are MK1, door cards will be some that I'm going to make

Edited by mini.rich, 14 September 2012 - 11:30 PM.

[minisam92]

looks as though it ll be as good project and differentish too as ive not really seen many rat minis

[IS300]

you cannot wash it, and only deal with the rust you have to

[RayBoogs]

Will be good mate! Just deal with the rust that it will fail an mot on then leave the rest!

Its good to see the rat scene catching on with minis they're perfect for it!!!

[mini.rich]

Will be good mate! Just deal with the rust that it will fail an mot on then leave the rest!

Its good to see the rat scene catching on with minis they're perfect for it!!!

I wish I was going to complete this as a rat, it would have been perfect! And I had loads of bits to stick on it But a complete change in circumstances, means its got to go I'm doing all the bodywork and having it resprayed, so it will be mint - not quite rat! lol. It currently has no back end or boot floor.

I'll put some pics up as I do it. Hopefully it'll be sorted by the end of the month, but it's a mini and a project, they never go to plan

[yousmeg]

good luck ill be watching this one

[RayBoogs]

Will be good mate! Just deal with the rust that it will fail an mot on then leave the rest!

Its good to see the rat scene catching on with minis they're perfect for it!!!

I wish I was going to complete this as a rat, it would have been perfect! And I had loads of bits to stick on it But a complete change in circumstances, means its got to go I'm doing all the bodywork and having it resprayed, so it will be mint - not quite rat! lol. It currently has no back end or boot floor.

I'll put some pics up as I do it. Hopefully it'll be sorted by the end of the month, but it's a mini and a project, they never go to plan

haha I know what you mean, you'll get one thing sorted then the next thing will go! I will be wathcing this one though!

[Hegnirst]

want to get rid of those seats? :)

[mini.rich]

want to get rid of those seats? :)

Which seats? The red ones? sold them a while ago, I'm restoring this to standard now and selling it, so the standard seats are being used aswell

[Hegnirst]

want to get rid of those seats? :)

Which seats? The red ones? sold them a while ago, I'm restoring this to standard now and selling it, so the standard seats are being used aswell

aww ok
i love them

[mini.rich]

So, thought I might aswell update this! This was originally going to be my daily(when I started the thread), just a standard sprite, that looked a bit unloved, lol, but it was worse underneath than I thought, so it's had a full strip down and rebuild and now not so rat looking

It will be for sale once finished - hopefully that will be next week!! And then it's onto my MK3....

Below are a few pics, enjoy

Panelwork - full front end(all heritage panels) both doorskins, rear panel(salvaged from another car), rear valance + closers(all heritage), part boot floor + strengthening brackets(heritage), both sills(heritage)









Stonechipping









Paint...
















Underside.. A lot of the suspension and brakes have been replaced with new parts and running 7.5" discs.















Engine Bay..








Gearbox stripped and checked..