30 replies to this topic

[vincieshile]

In my young days, 1966 till 1974, had 6 Mini's in a row. I loved Mini's and at the time they were popular and, in today's lingo, they were cool. Years passed by but I didn't loose my love for Mini's. Finally in 2005, a local lady named, Maggie, after driving a Mini for 15 years, bought something else and her Mini became redundant. I bought it, drove it until the Tax expired and then began stripping. Found a lot more rust than expected, but then, I believe that is always the case.



Maggie as I got her.



Discovering rust



rust




rust



and more rust



How many Mini bits can you find on the floor?



Maggie on a spit



Maggie gets a hot wash



Boot floor doesn't look good



Boot floor removed



Fitting a new boot floor



Boot floor fitted



Grinding



Welding



Patching





Left wing fitted



Right wing fitted



Front panel fitted and Tommy my engineer looks happy.


In September 2006 while salmon fishing on the local river I slipped down the river bank. My left leg got caught in something and I felt some pain in my left knee. The pain continued and after Christmas I finally went to a doctor. I ended up having surgery to sort out a torn cartilage. It is not possible to work at a Mini without good knees so the project was put on hold. I finally handed the Mini over to professionals (Nigel McHugh of Ardara) to finish the body work. They did a fantastic job.




Sometime before Christmas 2009 Maggie was brought to my next-door neighbour, Seoirse Gallagher, for spraying, undersealing etc. Everything except the final coat. Again a great job. Maggie spent Christmas and New Year in his workshop.

Edited by vincieshile, 17 June 2010 - 08:11 PM.

[minimininut]

Welcome to TMF!

Looks like Maggie's Mini is getting lots of love and attention, good luck with this one ...

[Ash-g800]

look go the good work

[vincieshile]

With spring (2010) came dry, sunny weather and so I was able to work outside.

Subframes were shot blasted and sprayed.






Then I began wire-brushing and spraying all the other bits that go on to the subframes.

Edited by vincieshile, 12 June 2010 - 09:13 PM.

[mighty mini jack]

Great work there, was suprised to see it being gas welded, hats off to you!

[HARBER07]

Mass respect for the Gas welding as Jack said!. Looking good

[danie garry]

wa hey, another irish mini, fair play with the work done

u should head to irishminis.ie, good crowd in the IMOC

Edited by danie garry, 13 June 2010 - 12:19 AM.

[vincieshile]

Maggie was rolled over and had rear subframe fitted with a little difficulty.


Some holes seem to have moved during the body work but my engineer/mechanic Tommy sorted that one out with ease.



Then Maggie was taken off the spit after 5 years and placed on beer barrels.




Not having a jack to lift the subframe was no problem. Positioning it under the engine-well, Tommy stepped into it and lifted it into place while I screwed in the tower bolts.





Then began the wrestling match. The tear-drops almost brought tears. No way did they wand to line up with their respective screw-holes. We almost had to resort to crowbars and slegehammers. But, we finally won the the battle.



As we're working outside we decided we need an 'umbrella' for Maggie to protect her during showers. She is well wrapped up every night but during the day while working at her an 'umbrella' is the thing.

Edited by vincieshile, 17 June 2010 - 08:03 PM.

[vincieshile]

wa hey, another irish mini, fair play with the work done

u should head to irishminis.ie, good crowd in the IMOC

Thanks for the tip. I've just joined. Now I fell I have dual citizenship.

[stevede]

Hi Vincieshile

I like the look of this rebuild. You have some talents there, especially the gas welding.

Underside & subframes on is quite a milestone. I look forward to seeing it all in paint.

What plans for the engine & interior?

Kind regards

Steve

[vincieshile]

Another day spent at Maggie. Added bits and pieces here and there. 4 wheels back on. How ugly they look, those old wheels.





But a little problem has to be dealt with. Maggie's 2 front wheels are pointing in different directions. My engineer, Tommy, says it's easily remedied.



What is this below? I believe it is a Chineese Puzzle!!




And what is this below?
I know................... it is a lot of trouble!!

Edited by vincieshile, 19 June 2010 - 08:08 PM.

[xBR4DLEY]

Nice one mate
Good luck with it

[vincieshile]

A week or more has passed since my last upload. I've been busy gathering bits 'n pieces, cleaning and spraying. Then today (28th June) my mechanic/engineer, Tommy, arrived and we did a huge day's work.

Below - finishing the copper brake pipes.



Connecting pipes to Pressure Reducing Valve.



Engine-well ready for engine (battery cable seen here at back of engine-well was clipped around the subframe to starter location.



Engine lifted from trailer.



Maggie had to be lowered and engine tied tight to the hoist in order to clear the front panel.



Maggie gets a 'heart transplant'



Tommy gets doing all the 'donkey work' while I take photos.



Everything worked well, thanks to all the planning and preparation.



Slave cylinder fitted



Brake servo fitted

Edited by vincieshile, 28 June 2010 - 08:31 PM.

[mk1leg]

Thats stirling work your'e doing keep pictures comming...............

[danie garry]

fair play, its lookin well