109 replies to this topic

[MiniLandy]

Hi there, i've just bought a nice, small car, to learn the rules of the road in. Had some money saved up, and for the money could have got a nice fiesta, saxo, 106, or any number of similar modern cars.

Nope.

I've bought Alexander

Not my choice of name, girlfriend decided on it whilst it was just a listing on eBay...

Anyway, no drastic plans so far, just looking for a nice tidy classic.

Bits to sort:
Strong smell of petrol.
Violent wobbling at 60+
Wiring up the front spots to the main beam circuit.
Find out why the front left tyre heats up so much.
Sort out the paint.
Sort out the drivers door.

Mods (when funds allow):
Alloys. (Minilites?)
USB radio to connect to existing speakers.
Cooper stripes (white) on the bonnet.
Stage 1 kit.

Cheers for reading, interested to hear your thoughts.

Attached Files

•  2009_0321Jaketakingphotos0017.JPG   2.36MB   36 downloads
•  2009_0321Jaketakingphotos0018.JPG   2.35MB   19 downloads

[EatSleepJDM]

Nice little project there mate

How much you pay for it if you don't mind me asking?

[MiniLandy]

£830, with a years MOT.

Forgot to mention that he had a misfire under acceleration, that was traced to the points (in the dizzy), now sorted. Lovely to drive now.

Thinking i might whip the front left wheel off tomorrow, and have a good look around. The warming of the tyre may be down to a binding brake, or dodgy bearing. I'll have a look for anything else that might cause the vibrations, too...

[MiniLandy]

Haven't updated this thread in a while, haven't really done that much work on him to be honest, just lots of learning to drive.

We did, however, get hold of a nice set of Ultralites on 165 Yoko's.

A friend of mine also gave me a USB radio, and some speakers, so he now has 6x9s on the rear parcel shelf.

Tried to find the source of the petrol leak, but having checked all the way along the fuel lines, think the only way will be taking the petrol tank out. =[ No worries, only a few bolts...

Anyway, here's a pic of his new shoes, will snap some better ones later today.

Attached Files

•  2009_0416Jaketakingphotos0367.JPG   2.46MB   27 downloads

[leaky]

Good little project their. Good choice getting a mini other than all those other chav boxes. You are now going to be totally poor forever and go slowly mad.

Edited by Mini-jon, 17 April 2009 - 09:07 AM.

[MiniLandy]

Went for a drive yesterday after posting, probably wasn't a good idea. Knocked the exhaust on the driveway, and now blows a bit. Not to worry, just need to jigger it about a bit, get the seal right again.

Had a good look around the fuel tank as well and found the source of the smell of petrol! The breather pipe didn't lead anywhere, and so the funes were going through the speaker hole and into the car. Bought a length of pipe today, should sort it

Also bought clips and screws for the new arches, wire for the spots, and more primer'n'paint to sort out the rust.

Things are looking up for him...

Attached Files

•  2009_0417Jaketakingphotos0001.JPG   2.41MB   36 downloads

[MiniLandy]

Well, time for a bit of an update, somewhat forgot about this thread.

Fair old bit has happened since I last posted, mainly the fact that i've had some driving lessons, and now have my test booked for next wednesday.

As for Alexander (the name's stuck...) he's had the three spots on the front removed in favour of two BIG chrome spots that have been in the garage for years. The three others can go, make me an offer.

Also sorted out the rust in the driver's door, filled, primed and then sprayed with halfords colour match. Colour match was crap so we ended up with a wave effect down one side, which stayed for the H2H run... Second can matched perfectly though, and we ended up with what you see in the last two photos.

A word about the H2H run, it was AMAZING. I drove the whole thing on L plates, and it was great. We broke down at one point, and at least 30 other drivers stopped to help us out. =D Turns out, the battery main earth lead had disconnected itself...

[Teapot]

Good luck for the test. Are you taking it in Alexander?

[MiniLandy]

Thanks And nope, i'll be taking the test in my instructor's Skoda Fabia. Easiest car in the world to drive, basically just a VW Polo with a different face.

[Teapot]

now have my test booked for next wednesday.

That was yesterday, or did you mean next next?

[miniman retford]

Alexander looks great and good luck with the driving test

Edited by miniman retford, 18 June 2009 - 10:30 AM.

[analogue_radio]

Good luck with the test mate

[Sir Cheat]

Nice colour! Good luck with driving TEST..

[MiniLandy]

Thanks very much for all the kind words, getting very close to the big day now...

Time for an update. On the day that I last updated this thread, I took the cylinder head off the engine to inspect the source of a problem that was causing a severa lack of power and general symptoms of low compression. Predictably enough, the head gasket was blown between the first and second cylinders.

£4.50 later, and we had a new head gasket. Whipped the whole thing back together, after cleaning all of the clag off the valves and ports, and he now runs faaar better. Only issues now are the fact that the air filter needs replacing, and the cat needs to be taken off the exhaust. The cat shouldn't even be there, it's a carbed 998 engine...

One last thing to mention in this update, I cut a dash out of a sheet of ali, to house the headunit, mainly. Might cut a hole for a glove compartment at a later date, and the plan is to brush the whole thing with a wire drill attachment, pics to follow when we get some daylight.

[MiniLandy]

Well, i failed my test today. Reeaally rather *drunk* off at the moment, and now the dash and that is all in, somewhat lost the drive to do any work on the car.

I now have to wait 7 weeks to retake my test, which is useless, as i will have spent my entire summer holidays unable to drive, but still paying for insurance that's useless to me.

Happy days.