68 replies to this topic

[Gazza211]

looking good gaz - i've got the brown paint when you're ready.

Hi Retro

Unfortunately black is the new brown, so black it will be!!

Gaz

[Gazza211]

Hi All

You know when you haven't done much - you get bumped down to page 9! Anyway a bit of progress made, not as much as i would like but progress anyway, all the welding is now completely finished and the welder is now firmly back in its box. both front arches have been re-profiled to enable full lock turns without ripping the tyres to shreds.
The donor car has been completely stripped and that shell has gone to its new owner for a new lease of life.
I have temporarily fitted the old subframes so that the shell is more mobile, the welded areas now have a thin skim of filler and the outside of the shell is now in primer (looks more like a car than a mis-mash of multi coloured panels) i need to prime the inside and inside the boot and all the bolt on panels, roll on some decent weather!
I have attached a couple of photos so that see what progress has been made.
Mini 50 is now rapidly approaching and i am starting to panic the build won't be complete

Repairs in primer


Front view



Shell in primer

Edited by Gazza211, 13 October 2009 - 02:19 PM.

[Gazza211]

Hi, I have been totally distracted lately with housey type projects etc so the Mini has been very neglected, i was debating in my head for the last few weeks as to whether i should get the top coat of paint applied by a professional but eventually the cost dictated that i spray it myself, then what paint should i use? cellulose because its straight forward to apply, shines fairly easily but needs constant attention to keep in tip top condition and chips easily or 2K which i have only dabbled with in the past but gives a superior and more robust finish,
So armed with a big wad of cash i went to the local paint supplier and bought some 2K. The chosen colour is solid black with a silver roof. The paint is clear over base which give a really deep shine.
So far the shell is painted in black and laquered, the doors, boot, bonnet and arches are in primer ready for colour and the roof is ready for the silver,
I have attached a couple of photos to show progress so far and will update when the rest of the panels are finished.



Clear over base black (straight from the gun)



Rear view of the same

Edited by Gazza211, 13 October 2009 - 02:17 PM.

[danny1]

lovely finish on the paint, i remmber when mine was freshly sprayed was liek a mirroe shame its all dirty now:(

[Gazza211]

Hello everyone.
More progress has been made, i have now sprayed the bonnet, boot and doors, the doors are now back on the shell, i actually feel like i am getting somewhere now, the wiring harness is refitted and i spent a couple of hours yesterday re-fitting the headling (nightmare job) but its all come out ok with no creases.
i have added a couple of photos so you can see the progress.






In my haste to dismantle the donor car i have a box full of bits with a bracket i cannot identify, is there anyone who might know where it goes ( i think its probably around the dash / pedal box area

Edited by Gazza211, 13 October 2009 - 02:15 PM.

[LOWRIDERHORNET]

Im really like this

[Gazza211]

Thanks for the positive comment, forgot to add a photo of the finished roof lining so here it is;





Oh does anyone know what the bracket is on my last post?

Thanks Gaz

Edited by Gazza211, 13 October 2009 - 02:13 PM.

[Gazza211]

Well i've totally overshot my target of getting the Mini ready for the IMM, but hey its taken six years so far so whats a couple of extra months, the doors are now bolted on properly and the locks and handles are working properly, the boot lid is also fitted and the underside of the shell has been stone-chipped.
Recently I have been rebuilding the subframes, the front frame is all built up with neg camber bottom arms, adjustable tie rods, hi-lo's, rebuilt hubs, new disc's etc, the engine and box are now in the frame and fitted into the car with a new steering rack.
I attach a photo of the assembled front frame to whet your appetite's, my camera has thrown a wobbly so as soon as it sorts it self out i will add some more photo's

Edited by Gazza211, 13 October 2009 - 02:11 PM.

[shellspeed]

very nice

Racking my brains about that bracket but cannot think where i've seen one before

[mini_mad_andy]

In my haste to dismantle the donor car i have a box full of bits with a bracket i cannot identify, is there anyone who might know where it goes ( i think its probably around the dash / pedal box area

Looks to me like the bracket for the accelerator resting bracket.

Andy.

[Burnard]

looks like the bracket i have on my heel board which holts the T piece for the rear brake pipe.


Great project, andsome very nice welding

[Gazza211]

Thanks Gents

I am pretty sure it is not from the rear subframe as i took this out in one piece and haven't taken it apart yet, my best guess is it from the pedal box either from the acc pedal as suggested or maybe a clutch pedal / brake pedal up stop? Has anyone got a photo of the under dash / pedal box area i could look at?

Thanks Gaz

[Gazza211]

Hi

Its been quite a while since my last post, progress as usual has been pretty slow, but the front subframe and engine / transmission is now fitted, i have painted the complete underside of the car, stonechipped and painted again in a bid to slow down any dreaded future rust, the pedal box has been re-fitted along with the steering column.
The rear subframe has been built with new radius arms, spindles, adjustable camber brackets, hi-los and poly bushes, the brakes have also been rebuilt with refurbished backplates, new cylinders and shoes. the subframe has now been bolted back into the car with copious amounts of waxoil on the boot floor, heelboard and valance. The car is now on axle stands to enable me to clip all main brake pipe, fuel pipe and battery cable to the underfloor and also fit the gearchange, brake pipes etc, not got my camera with me at the moment so will post photos later.

Gaz

[Gazza211]

Hi
Both subframes now in and all bolted up, brake pipes, fuel pipe and battery cable on, LCB on, waiting for Mini Spares to supply a late type master cylinder plate (been 3 weeks now ) anyway as promised a few piccies.
Excuse the quality of the photos as everything has a layer of dust over it!

Front brakes assembled



Engine bay



LH Rear frame



RH Rear frame



Side view on stands



See you all later

[Teapot]

Great project and thanks for useful pics of clean new parts showing what goes where! I've nicked those lol

Edited by Teapot, 25 October 2009 - 08:29 PM.