57 replies to this topic

[ross k]

hi guys today i picked up a mini neon wich is 1991 with 88000 miles on the clock but the engine gearbox and interior has done 38ooo miles it has had new front pads a set of mini chelsea alloys and all bits it needs a new o/s front wing and has a bit of rust on the inside doorstep also got the part to replace that other than that it has hardly no rust but does have a rubbish paint job as it has been badly resprayed for half of it matt black i picked this up for 500 pound and is my first restoration so will need some advice was this a good deal to start with

[feybrand]

its got to be a good deal as 500 quid will usually only get you a rotten reck so even if it turns out to be bad its still good for the money
how deep a restoration do you intend to do and what are youre plans for the finished car
also get some pics up of it
and good luck with it

[ross k]

im planning a full strip down was thinking of getting the body dipped is this a good idea and is it expensive thanks ross

[feybrand]

a bloke at work was quoted 900 to have it dipped and then another 900 to have it dipped in zinc

[91neon]

i own a neon mate but for some reason there arent mant about in the oroginal nordic blue. i paid 700 for aside from the rust i love it i reckon ive spent 3 k getting it to how i want it so far tho so 500 is good as said most at this price arerotton

the original colour really stands out at the shows im part way through restoring mine and i love the colour ive based my whole project on keeping it the same

[ross k]

cool didnt now wether to get it resprayed in original colours or not thanks for the advice ross

[ross k]

hi guys what are your thoughts on wide wheels and arches for a mini thanks ross

[feybrand]

depends what you want small wheels mean easier steering big wheels mean more rubber on the tarmac but you will probably have to modify the front arches
both look good if done right

Edited by feybrand, 03 August 2009 - 03:58 PM.

[ross k]

hey guys well finally got the car as a very sad problem decided it needs a full respray i also think it might have a gold top engine well so far ive
striped the interior out
took the wheel arches lights grille bumper boot and mirrors of
then took the bonnet of and the back windows out
and overal it needs a new doorstep which was provided and the floors have surface rust which will need scrubbing of but its not deep and there a bodge will need sorting in the back corner ow and the wing willl need changing aswell as the front panel
after all this i changed the horrible grey mayfair covers on the seats were changed for my new white and black ones only did one to see if it could be done so will put that in my room till its done thanks ross
finally i have a bonnet and front panel of a 1996 sprite will it fit on my mini and how do you tell if its a gold top engine

Edited by ross k, 21 September 2009 - 03:35 PM.

[ross k]

this is how it arrived pretty much except it had the original bonnet which is rubbish and the original grill what do you guys reckon
pics of my mini http://www.carandcla...k/car/C103610/#

Edited by ross k, 21 September 2009 - 03:36 PM.

[lawrence]

doesnt look to bad a mini any horrible surprises yet?
L

[ross k]

um nothing to bad just the paint works awful and there is a panel bodged over another panel which im assuming is rusty at the back

[ross k]

well just been out to do more work and found more rust the drivers cill is shot the floor needs plating in about 4 or 5 places the door is rusty at the bottom the panel under the passenger windom has rusted through at the bottom and been fillered over and the a panel needs replacing

[ChrisCityE]

Sounds like a good deal to me, word of warning though - in my experience 1990-1991 were shocking for the bodyshell quality. One thing that is particularly bad on those years are that the rear wheelarches always seem to rot through. Ive got a 91 City E, a 91 Cooper and had two 91 Neons that have all needed the arches, never on any other Mini though!

Good luck with your project!

[ross k]

mm the wheel arches lookall good at the moment just got some wire wheels for my drills so i will be doing some pust destroying tonight thanks ross