72 replies to this topic

[rogue]

that is stunning! all black that was what i was going to do but i wasnt sure because of the contrast? is your grille surround powder coated?

I personally feel its TOO much black. I think a stainless grill, stainless mirrors, and stainless emblems would help it out a bit. Mini's NEED some contast, otherwise they look like they were just thrown in a spray booth.

Once I sort out the comfort/drivability issues, I'll start tackling the cosmetics. Function over form for me...

Everything is painted by the previous owner with Krylon gloss black. I plan on attempting to remove the paint using an aircraft paint remover on one of the trim pieces as a test first....

[rogue]

What a fantastic looking mini!

Look forward to seeing more of this.

Thank you very much! Out of all the classic cars I've owned, this is clearly the most fun. My camaro has 530hp and 580ft lbs of torque and I still don't find it as fun as this...

[rogue]

Just finished welding up the engine steady bulkhead bracket with a washer. Now the car shifts properly and I can bang through the gears without tossing the entire drivetrain around. Now its time to see what this little beast is really made of!

Took some proper pictures of it next to its big brother from another mother:





I need to remove all the fake braiding the previous owner put over all the lines...

[Ethel]

Glad you're enjoying the new addition to your collection. Seems we're getting a bit of a following from the colonies, best keep an eye out for sedition!

I think the door furniture originates from an Australia produced Mini and your seats look like they started out in an MG Metro if that helps. Also be careful how you tackle the bumpers, factory originals were chrome, or even painted matte black or grey.

I guess you've found out the catch with the Mini Sport website early on - it's usually best to phone any orders with them. There are probably enough discussions about parts suppliers for a bit of googling to sort the peaches from the lemons. The Minispares site could be more user friendly, but they carry one of the most complete ranges, handy if you don't want multiple shipping fees, and have an active internet presence - been known to frequent TMF too.

[guywithvan]

great car fella ,i was wondering though why 'the previous owner' decided to carpet over the crossmember where the seat attaches,it looks like it's still underneath,i hope

other than that i'll be popping back to check out the 'de-blacking'

[trafficface09]

i will buy any black parts you dont want, esspecialy the grille surround

seriously

[rogue]

Glad you're enjoying the new addition to your collection. Seems we're getting a bit of a following from the colonies, best keep an eye out for sedition!

I think the door furniture originates from an Australia produced Mini and your seats look like they started out in an MG Metro if that helps. Also be careful how you tackle the bumpers, factory originals were chrome, or even painted matte black or grey.

I guess you've found out the catch with the Mini Sport website early on - it's usually best to phone any orders with them. There are probably enough discussions about parts suppliers for a bit of googling to sort the peaches from the lemons. The Minispares site could be more user friendly, but they carry one of the most complete ranges, handy if you don't want multiple shipping fees, and have an active internet presence - been known to frequent TMF too.

Excellent info. I will attempt to remove the paint on the back of one of the bumpers before tackling them completely. Someone had mentioned earlier that my drip rails are much later than 1970, what year do you all reckon the car actually is?

I placed an order for some demister hoses and heater to fresh air duct hose from Moss Motorsports here in CA and was sent later model Rover ducting that is too large to work with my Austin heater. I guess I will be going to the local auto store today and finding some hoses to use instead in the meantime until I can source the proper parts. I also noticed that I have no air distribution box, so does that mean I can not use my air ducts on my MPI dash with this older heater? It appears to only have fresh air inlet, demister hoses, and then a flip vent on the heater itself to warm the car/feet.

Its amazing how many parts suppliers are out there, and how many variations of the mini. I can tell this is going to be more difficult parts wise than any other build I have tackled...

[rogue]

great car fella ,i was wondering though why 'the previous owner' decided to carpet over the crossmember where the seat attaches,it looks like it's still underneath,i hope

other than that i'll be popping back to check out the 'de-blacking'

When I installed the seats, I felt no crossmember under the carpet. Only welded holes into the body. Perhaps I should verify that these seats were installer properly, considering they are the only safety device in the car, with the exception of the 4 point belts which are known to cause spinal compression.

I'd like to install 3 point retracting belts for ease of daily use, along with a roll hoop or perhaps a full cage, depending if there is head room. Driving with a full cage on the street is dangerous, especially for a tall guy like myself.

I got busy the other night with aircraft paint remover on some test pieces and it worked well..

First I started with the AA badge which came out well. I think I may paint the backing red to match the interior, or keep it off the grill alltogether.



You can see the previous owner sprayed the grill with the badge still on.



So I started attacking the grill, in my kitchen I might add. I'm so glad I'm not married haha.




Rain can't stop me!



The bonnet was scraping the windshield wipers when it was opened, so I removed the paint on the wipers as well



The final results.


Pretty happy with the results and I like the retro grill. I'm considering a moustache style MK1 grill to match my tail lights and to bring the car back to a Vintage look rather than a modern look. A 10" retro wheel change may be in order as well. Would love some input. I'm thinking of going for a retro race car look similar to what I have done with my Camaro.

However, if I stay with a modern/custom look I was eyeballing these Fivestar alloys in black. I like the concave look a LOT for my car.



I like the results of the grill, and plan to do the trim around the turn signals, as well as the Headlamp surrounds.

Edited by rogue, 22 January 2010 - 06:50 PM.

[rogue]

i will buy any black parts you dont want, esspecialy the grille surround

seriously

Sorry mate, I'm restoring the pieces with paint remover for now. If I come across any black parts that are powdercoated or I'm removing I will let you know

[Chris C]

I'm a quite tall myself, and when I had my seats in their more original position my head was dangerously close to the main cage hoop.

[guywithvan]

I was happy to find that the seats were on risers, because I could use every spare inch I can get. I'm 6'5"

this is the picture which worries me,it looks like from the picture that the seat crossmember has been removed (which travels fom o/s to n/s doorsteps and over the exhaust tunnel between the handbrake and gear shift)

maybe the carpet is causing a illusion as i can see 'wear' in the carpet indicating it as there,but the carpet is definatly sitting too low

i'd lift the carpet take a picture and post it on here

[rogue]

this is the picture which worries me,it looks like from the picture that the seat crossmember has been removed (which travels fom o/s to n/s doorsteps and over the exhaust tunnel between the handbrake and gear shift)

maybe the carpet is causing a illusion as i can see 'wear' in the carpet indicating it as there,but the carpet is definatly sitting too low

i'd lift the carpet take a picture and post it on here

No Worries. The crossmember is there, Theres just many layers of carpet disguising it.

[rogue]

I'm a quite tall myself, and when I had my seats in their more original position my head was dangerously close to the main cage hoop.

A custom roll hoop may be in order...

[guywithvan]

i also just noticed you haven't the 'rear bins' either ,i'd agree it looks like the crossmember is there but considerably lower in height than standard,and it looks like the seat mounts are different too,well i guess someone made a few mod's in the past sometime

other than that it's looking better with some chrome showing again i bet you get alot of attention driving it over there

[rogue]

Well the car gods have spoken. The engine is officially puking its oil out on my driveway on some cardboard. Nothing odd happened, no high revving. I just don't think this little old lump was meant to stand up to my abuse.

So I placed an order for a Pro-Motive R1 kit....

Considering I'm the size of a motorcycle driving around los angeles, might as well sound and rev like one...

Only live once. Once the parts arrive I'll source a local Yamaha R1 motor.