we bought the car for £400 which at the time we thought was a bargain as it had a new set of minilited, rear rollcage and a running 1275cc engine. before you read the rest of this thread you need to know that i can not take all the credit for this build, i couldnt of done it without my dads welding skills and know how. And my two brothers who have both owned two minis each supplied me with their knowledge now and again. but unfortunately it was my wallet that sponsored this build.
These were the pics that we got from the previous owner so we expected it to be practically solid - boy were we wrong
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01057.jpg
this is how it looked originally, nice interior ha ha
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01135.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01138.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01178.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01180.jpg
This is how it looked on my drive with my 1988 mini mayfair before we started to work on the sprite
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01134.jpg
Before we could even strip the car we raised the car to check that all was in order and the jack went straight through the rear subframe, under further inspection we found that it had completely rusted through one side and the other side resembles swiss cheese. so it was time to remove the subframe !
The subframe came off suprisingly easy, all the bolts practically fell out no persuasion needed.
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01195.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01196.jpg
Next was the stripping and repairing stage, there was rust in the usual front two corners, either side of the boot floor and the parcel shelf had to be completely repaired. and later on we found out that we had to fit a brand new scuttle panel. unfortunately i dont have many pics of this stage so it goes straight to the partially repaired and primed stage. the seats were the first thing to go!
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01218.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01219.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01230.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01235.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01244.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01245.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01246.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01250.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01254.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/SNC13654.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/SNC13655.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/SNC13656.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/SNC13660.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/SNC13651.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/SNC13652.jpg
Getting a bit ahead of myself maybe
http://i619.photobuc...on/SNC13663.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/SNC13665.jpg
Now it was time to choose a colour! i had always been a fan of white minis, i just think they look so clean and awesome. but i wanted something that would stand out from the crowd. so i chose bright ORANGE ! ha ha with a gloss black roof.
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01255.jpg
first we had to set up a spray booth. a gazebo on out path ha ha hi tech i know. then we started to spray the interior, doors boot and bonet.
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01258.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01259.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01260.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01261.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01264.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01265.jpg
Now it was time to mask off the interior and spray the exterior, it took a total of three coats of orange and a hell of a lot of luck with the weather
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01267.jpg
thats not me thats ha ha thats a mate (also a mini owner)
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01268.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01269.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01272.jpg
Group 5 race spec arches in gloss black
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01277.jpg
The roof sprayed in gloss Black
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01278.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01279.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01280.jpg
Now it was time for the Rebuild !
Windows in
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01298.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01315.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01316.jpg
Keeping in theme of something that would stand out from a crowd i decided to get the 13 x 7 Black supertrax wheels with yoko A539 tires all round (unfortunately the wheels and tires arrived 3 days after the order was placed but 4 weeks later i still do not have the nuts for them - there has been a problem with the supplier or something. so for the mot i had to put the 12 x 6 minilites on.)
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01323.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01324.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01325.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01327.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01328.jpg
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01330.jpg
obviously it was resting way too high so i have fitted a full set of hi lows and now it sits just fine.
Now it was time to do finish the car, sort of minor electrics, bleed brakes, set hanbrake and all the other normal things. then we had a fire ! ! ! luckily it wasnt major only a few wires melted due to the headlamp wires shorting on the body so it was trying to run full beam, side lighs and everyother lights at the same time overloading the wires. some reason the fuses didnt blow. once it was fixed final checks were carried out and it was time for the inevitable - the MOT.
http://i619.photobuc...on/DSC01338.jpg
there is the car in the MOT bay, and i am happy to announce that it passed first time! this was only a week ago so im driving it to works every day and ironing out all the after build kinks. im getting ther slowly. STILL NO WHEEL NUTS THOUGH ! ! !
there are various things that i would still like to do to this car:
fully adjustable suspension
Lightened panels - ally skinned doors and fibre glass flip front
Bigger engine possibly 1380cc
eventually get some wheel nuts that fit
I will keep updating as time goes on but thats the best part of the build summed up.
cheers
Dan
Edited by Dr.johnston, 10 June 2009 - 08:49 PM.
