68 replies to this topic

[mini-adam]

Couldn't resist being tempted by this as it was only two doors away from where I live and was owned by an old lady from nearby.

Back in 1991 the car was given to a local mini expert to get a few rusty bits sorted out. He replaced sills, cut out and repaired a few holes in the floor and a wing replaced. Then he left it up to a bodyshop and mechanic fella a few hundred yards away to get repainted, a replacement goldseal engine fitted. When this was happening the elderly lady owner passed away. The fella waited till all the family had the will sorted and done a deal with them to pay for the work done. He put a sheet over it and pushed into the back of the workshop where it sat for the next 18 + years.

I bought it last year but have only now got around to the serious business of its restoration

just as when we got it home




The sheet was obviously not dust proof as the roof has overspray






after a bit of clearing out of the interior












parked up beside our other sandglow mini.. 1977 1000

Edited by mini-adam, 10 November 2012 - 11:14 AM.

[mini-adam]

Got the paintwork washed and compounded with various grades and wasn't coming up too bad








The bonnet had black paint specks all over it..

[analogue_radio]

Lovely!

[bcjames]

The transformation on the paint is incredible, looks amazing. The 18 years under a sheet have been very kind to it, is there much to do? It all looks so solid!

[mini-adam]

The underside of the floor had surface rust, it was never treated other than paint, a few rusty bits showing up on edges of the window surrounds. Going to respray it as touch-up will be so noticable.
Besides one sandglow mini is enough

[Montytom]

This brings back memories my first ever mini was a clubman estate. Never really liked it at the time but now I absolutely love the shape and would so like another one. Please keep us updated regards Thomas

[mini-adam]

Thanks for the encouragement.

Have tackled the engine bay, underside and the wheel arches.





floor came up very well, mostly surface rust, cills fitted 18yrs earlier were like new







Next tackled the front arches, cleaned off underseal and etch primed..
in process of primer




applied some seam sealer over joints






stonechip layer before primer




now for the underside..

took off the jacking points to reveal a hole or two




plated the hole that I cut out and plated over that as well, so it will be stronger

[Zeemax Adventure]

wow what a find. To still be in that condition after all these years. Goes without saying you dont know whats hiding around the corner

[mini-adam]

few updates to the progress, removed the fuel tank and cleaned off underseal to the wheel arches and boot underside... what a messy job that is, although there wasn't much underseal used on the floor.. ie none







top of the tank had a thick layer of grease which had protected it well



cleaned up the tank and treated the surface with Krust prior to a coat of etch




removed the underseal and found a few holes




boot area cleaned and etch primed and joints seam sealed

[mini-adam]

tackled the dash and decided to remove the padded dash rails. Want to fit a centre speedo and new flick switches

went from this..


to this..


and finally..

[mini-adam]

moved on with the outside front and decided to de-bumper and change the look of the indicators. Bit of fettling with the holes and flushing out here and there to git rid of blemishes

[mini-adam]

some updates on this project...

got a bit distracted and put on a supalight 13x7 I had. Dunno might be a bit wide. Would have to cut the front wing for these.




got back into repair mode again and went to the rear panel under the bumper and found this, new piece ordered.



few wee ripples in the metalwork under the filler cap, although sound just needed a skim of isopon



went to the door skin and surprised that when finished who uneven the original finish was



tackled the inside surfaces and cleaned all down prepped and 2k primed. I also removed the rear pockets



the panels at the rear floor were removed and painted including the underside in a white 2pk. Want to refit these before applying top finish coat




Back to where the rear pockets were I found a rusted area and ended up with this hole cut out, before getting good metal to weld to



the inside got another primer coat and brush painted with a 2pk white left over from another job





Spotted these for sale locally and came out of an Evo 1, comfy as anything and plenty of colours to choose from in the pattern

Edited by mini-adam, 06 November 2012 - 12:46 PM.

[stealth05]

awesome work mate .

[MentalMini]

great find and good work so far i have a 79 clubby estate......do you know where to find the paint code on an estate ?

[mini-adam]

Sorry I wouldnt know where the code is.. maybe the chassis plate. or post a pic on a thread and someone will know the colour