Steve, the car is looking fantastic. I've spent at least an hour reading over your post and examining all the work you've been doing. Looks like it will be about a year from start to finish. That must be some daughter you have!
If you don't mind me asking, how much have you put into this restore? Here in the states a restoration like that wouldn't be cheap (as our parts are about double what they are in the UK).
Looks absolutely amazing and can't wait for the finished project!
Daughter Zoe's Mini - Yeah Right!
Started by
stevede
, May 25 2009 06:48 PM
723 replies to this topic
#212
miniman86
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Posted 08 April 2010 - 08:59 PM
mate that is absouletly awseome!! i love everything about it!!!! was you not tempted to put mk1 rear lights onto it? or are you going to use mk2's (like me!)
Alex
Alex
#213
stevede
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Posted 11 April 2010 - 06:39 PM
Afternoon Guys & Girlies, time for the latest installment on the mini build.
Thanks for all the comments once again, they really are appreciated.
Ginger Joe: The workshop is my pal's
MiniVespa: It will be a year in May since I bought the car and yes, Zoe is one of a kind. Re the cost. As it stands at the moment, if the car was finished and at the standard I would like to think it is at now I recon I could probably just break even. Problem is, it aint finished and there's still a bit to go yet.
Miniman86: Was never tempted by the mk1 lights but as for the mk2's? There may have been a recent purchase in that direction!
On to the update
I needed to strip the subframes so I could send them for powder coating.
I'm ashamed to admit it but I did at one point consider re-using the existing cones rather than buying new ones.
I don't remember them being quite so bad (front especially) but in my defence, I did get the replacements before I pulled the subframes.
This weekend and the good weather was perfect for cutting back the paint and doing some polishing.
However, when I did the roof, I found that either some high spots in the primer I had missed or some bits from the gun stuck in the paint which meant I had 2 grey spots on the roof.
After some thought I cut the section of paint (still quite soft) with a scalpel and will build back up with paint on a touch up brush.
The rest of the bodywork came up a treat with only the odd minor imperfection to deal with.
The pictures don't really do it justice but there is a nice shine now and once the paint has hardened fully, and it's had another polish it will be spot on.
Another milestone reached aswell today.....................................
I actually bolted something back on!!!!
Fuel pipe
Brake pipe
Steering rack
And a new roof aerial
That's all for now, hope you all like.
Kind regards
Steve
Thanks for all the comments once again, they really are appreciated.
Ginger Joe: The workshop is my pal's
MiniVespa: It will be a year in May since I bought the car and yes, Zoe is one of a kind. Re the cost. As it stands at the moment, if the car was finished and at the standard I would like to think it is at now I recon I could probably just break even. Problem is, it aint finished and there's still a bit to go yet.
Miniman86: Was never tempted by the mk1 lights but as for the mk2's? There may have been a recent purchase in that direction!
On to the update
I needed to strip the subframes so I could send them for powder coating.
I'm ashamed to admit it but I did at one point consider re-using the existing cones rather than buying new ones.
I don't remember them being quite so bad (front especially) but in my defence, I did get the replacements before I pulled the subframes.
This weekend and the good weather was perfect for cutting back the paint and doing some polishing.
However, when I did the roof, I found that either some high spots in the primer I had missed or some bits from the gun stuck in the paint which meant I had 2 grey spots on the roof.
After some thought I cut the section of paint (still quite soft) with a scalpel and will build back up with paint on a touch up brush.
The rest of the bodywork came up a treat with only the odd minor imperfection to deal with.
The pictures don't really do it justice but there is a nice shine now and once the paint has hardened fully, and it's had another polish it will be spot on.
Another milestone reached aswell today.....................................
I actually bolted something back on!!!!
Fuel pipe
Brake pipe
Steering rack
And a new roof aerial
That's all for now, hope you all like.
Kind regards
Steve
#214
myredmini
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Posted 14 April 2010 - 09:31 PM
looking absolutally amazing, well done 
#215
Bean
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Posted 14 April 2010 - 09:41 PM
What's this all about?
Looks great, Steve!
RE Subframes - I was always tempted to galvanise mine, then get them coated. Apparently it works wonders?
I just went for powedercoating in the end as I figured I'd already spent too much elsewhere, lol
#216
panelbeaterpeter
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Posted 14 April 2010 - 09:48 PM
As above! The holes had me confused too.. Looking really good! I'd have fitted a more period looking aerial, but that's just me
#217
Ethel
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Posted 14 April 2010 - 10:06 PM
Is someone planning a bogus twin tank look?
As above! The holes had me confused too.. Looking really good! I'd have fitted a more period looking aerial, but that's just me
#218
panelbeaterpeter
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Posted 14 April 2010 - 10:08 PM
Aaaah of course.
#219
Scallywag630
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Posted 14 April 2010 - 10:23 PM
Coming along fine.....whats the target finish date?
#220
stevede
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Posted 15 April 2010 - 06:15 AM
Well there's no competition and there was never a prize but well spotted, yes I'm going for the "bogus" twin tank look.
Ethel: I had confessed earlier in the project and have decided to use it. Not sure now it's the best decision I will make especially now i've seen the price of quality locking petrol caps, but I can't justify a "real" R/H tank (maybe one day) and I do like the "twin" look.
Bean: I had read that galvenising can warp the rear subframe due to heat but in reality, I just went for the powder coat because the price the guy quoted me for the blasting & coating was almost cheaper than buying the paint to do it myself.
Peter: I know what you mean about the aerial but I'm not keen on the chrome type period look ones and to be honest, although i've gone for 10's with group 2 arches older colour etc, what I am aiming for is more about the look I want rather than trying to re-create a particular period.
Some of it is going back to my youth with my first mini at 17 and some of the ideas I had then, but had neither the ability or financial resource to carry them out. I have a few more ideas yet to mix old & new. Will they work? Who knows, but as said many times on here, different is good even if not to everyones taste.
Scallywag: Time to finish? The only real answer is when it's done! I haven't set a date as I don't want to create a pressure to finish and end up either rushing or missing something. It would be nice to get a drive to at least one of the shows in it this year but if not, well there's always next year. Finance will have a bit of an impact to the "completed" date too as it's all starting to add up a bit now.
As always, thanks for the comments
Regards
Steve
Ethel: I had confessed earlier in the project and have decided to use it. Not sure now it's the best decision I will make especially now i've seen the price of quality locking petrol caps, but I can't justify a "real" R/H tank (maybe one day) and I do like the "twin" look.
Bean: I had read that galvenising can warp the rear subframe due to heat but in reality, I just went for the powder coat because the price the guy quoted me for the blasting & coating was almost cheaper than buying the paint to do it myself.
Peter: I know what you mean about the aerial but I'm not keen on the chrome type period look ones and to be honest, although i've gone for 10's with group 2 arches older colour etc, what I am aiming for is more about the look I want rather than trying to re-create a particular period.
Some of it is going back to my youth with my first mini at 17 and some of the ideas I had then, but had neither the ability or financial resource to carry them out. I have a few more ideas yet to mix old & new. Will they work? Who knows, but as said many times on here, different is good even if not to everyones taste.
Scallywag: Time to finish? The only real answer is when it's done! I haven't set a date as I don't want to create a pressure to finish and end up either rushing or missing something. It would be nice to get a drive to at least one of the shows in it this year but if not, well there's always next year. Finance will have a bit of an impact to the "completed" date too as it's all starting to add up a bit now.
As always, thanks for the comments
Regards
Steve
#221
maccamcvey
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Mini Mad
Posted 15 April 2010 - 08:15 PM
Hi Steve awesome looking project yet some paint dramas! I hope mine turns out as good, I am just kicking off cutting out all the rot from the front end, and a spit like yours would make it so much easier! So i was wondering when you are finished, and by the pace off your work i cant imagine wouldn't be a huge length off time. What will you be doing with it? i am just around the M60 in Stockport and wondered if it would be up for sale? or even rent?
Good luck with the rest off your work, and i hope to see you driving past soon!
Good luck with the rest off your work, and i hope to see you driving past soon!
#222
stevede
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Posted 16 April 2010 - 12:45 PM
Hi Steve awesome looking project yet some paint dramas! I hope mine turns out as good, I am just kicking off cutting out all the rot from the front end, and a spit like yours would make it so much easier! So i was wondering when you are finished, and by the pace off your work i cant imagine wouldn't be a huge length off time. What will you be doing with it? i am just around the M60 in Stockport and wondered if it would be up for sale? or even rent?
Good luck with the rest off your work, and i hope to see you driving past soon!
The spit will be for sale once I have finished with it. Hopefully only a few weeks now.
If you're interested in making an offer, drop me a PM.
Cheers
Steve
#223
myredmini
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Posted 16 April 2010 - 01:25 PM
how hard was the boot to repair ? i need to repair both of the boot corners, but i am leaving the subframe in ?
Danny
p.s how hard was the subframe to remove and how do you do it ? i might concider doing it when my dad moves.
Danny
p.s how hard was the subframe to remove and how do you do it ? i might concider doing it when my dad moves.
#224
82hle
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Mini Mad
Posted 16 April 2010 - 05:48 PM
Great progress, and the shell's looking great, I am wondering about your fuel pipe though - is it a bit short at the rear end?
The original one I took off my car follows the heel board up and comes out above the subframe. If you left it short on purpose of course that's ok, but just wanted to make sure you were happy with it before the subframe goes back in.
Mart.
The original one I took off my car follows the heel board up and comes out above the subframe. If you left it short on purpose of course that's ok, but just wanted to make sure you were happy with it before the subframe goes back in.
Mart.
#225
TopGearRules
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Speeding Along Now
Posted 16 April 2010 - 07:43 PM
WOW, just read the whole thread and it looks fantastic steve! Its gonna look mint when its out on the open road! How much has it cost you so far?? Great project, probably the best i have ever seen!
by the way, what rust eating paint did you use for under the car and the boot? I have a few un-opened cans of black hammerite (Waxoyl) i want to use up when i spray, does anyone think it'll be okay?
Alex
by the way, what rust eating paint did you use for under the car and the boot? I have a few un-opened cans of black hammerite (Waxoyl) i want to use up when i spray, does anyone think it'll be okay?
Alex
Edited by TopGearRules, 16 April 2010 - 08:06 PM.
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