17 replies to this topic

[b17ant]

HI guys, im new to this site. Would just like to state firstly that theres a nice little community going here. Lots of helpful people and lots of intresting articles/projects for inspiration. Its my first mini project, and probably the smallest car ive worked on. Its so amazing how the car can be stripped in a matter of hours to bare shell. Such a treat to work with, and the availability of spares and repairs is amazing!
Anyway, this is the mini i acuired this wednesday from a local seller. Beautiful little motor. ITs a 998cc Austin mini which was originally Blue, but then sprayed black (god knows why). Im not sure what blue it was, but it would be nice if somebody could give me a colour code as its the colour i want to have it in when its all done. Got the usual plans for it, cut out ALL the rust and give it some proper protection (oxide etc).

The car has had work done in the past. And this is probably the reason why its so bad. Uncovered welds have just attracted the rust worm, and theres alot of coverup work like 9" sills and bad fabrication.

It currentley sits on 10" mini lights. I dont know if their original, but they do have "mini light" stamped on them.



Heres some pictures to keep you busy.

The car as it stands (after having removed the doors)







































THANKS for looking. I will be dropping both subframes, and sandblasting what isnt rotten tommorow! More pics soon!

[b17ant]

(Nice little shot of a minis worst enemy)

AND AGAIN

[sonikk4]

Nice little project you've got there lots of lovely rust to deal with.
Good luck with it there is a lot to do judging by the piccies, inner and outer sills, front floor panels, flitch panels, A panels, wings and front panel, door steps, scuttle and no doubt many more.

Good luck it will be a labour of love.

[olds_kool_lews]

that definitley is a labour of love u got there mate, bit like my estate, although mine had a little more metal left in the floors/inner wing/door post area, but ive nearly finished the drivers side, so it can be done! good luck with it!

[grahama]

Hi,

very best of luck but it sounds like you are a seasoned pro at this so progress should be swift !!

Graham

[b17ant]

Hi,

very best of luck but it sounds like you are a seasoned pro at this so progress should be swift !!

Graham

Cheers Graham. Wouldnt call myself a Pro! My old man was a rally driver in East africa, so my family is allabout classic cars. grown up in them, and spent atleast 5 years of my 18 years on this earth welding, blasting, prepping and masking them! Its just that its so nice to have panels readily available to chop and change. Jusyt finished a mk1 escort 1300Gt and 1600E cortina, and the rarity of panels is unbelivable. Wings alone would cost 300£ for a escort, and ive just ordered the whole floor (in half floors), front end (pillars, wings, a posts, scuttle front panel etc), boot panels and sills for this mini for around £300.

Edited by b17ant, 23 July 2010 - 10:48 PM.

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Looks very good mate! If a bit rusty. Welcome to TMF, enjoy the project and site and keep us updated. See your around buddy

[b17ant]

Hi guys, the panels should be here by monday. Until then im set to getting the engine out and sandblasting everything to find out where more rust is. I also need some advice on bracing as i wouldnt like to spoil the structure of the car/twist the shell. The crossmemeber is SOLID, funnily enough as it seems its had a blast of wax oil in its life. The ends of it arent as solid however, but will be boxed up asap. i will be fitting half floors from front to back, so bracing is vital. could somebody please post pics of their bracing. Its better for me to cut out and replace everything, then to bodge and fabricate considering most panels are readily available

Regards

Ant

[rwerry]

HI guys, im new to this site. Would just like to state firstly that theres a nice little community going here. Lots of helpful people and lots of intresting articles/projects for inspiration. Its my first mini project, and probably the smallest car ive worked on. Its so amazing how the car can be stripped in a matter of hours to bare shell. Such a treat to work with, and the availability of spares and repairs is amazing!
Anyway, this is the mini i acuired this wednesday from a local seller. Beautiful little motor. ITs a 998cc Austin mini which was originally Blue, but then sprayed black (god knows why). Im not sure what blue it was, but it would be nice if somebody could give me a colour code as its the colour i want to have it in when its all done. Got the usual plans for it, cut out ALL the rust and give it some proper protection (oxide etc).

The car has had work done in the past. And this is probably the reason why its so bad. Uncovered welds have just attracted the rust worm, and theres alot of coverup work like 9" sills and bad fabrication.

It currentley sits on 10" mini lights. I dont know if their original, but they do have "mini light" stamped on them.

THANKS for looking. I will be dropping both subframes, and sandblasting what isnt rotten tommorow! More pics soon!

Good luck with the welding!

Re the colour: This site might be useful:

http://www.minicolou...list.cgi?code=J

[b17ant]

Hi guys. Got to work today, took the subframes out and got round to blasting the rear. Came out quite nice. Got the frame in red oxide ready to be painted black tommorow. Hope you like!









Home built Crate for mobbility



Frame before blasting



After the blast






Found a hole in the subframe. So me old man decided to have a shot at welding it. Came out ok. Gave it a coat of red ox





Found some sheet metal. Waiting for the floor and all the other panels to come. Dad decided to have a shot at some fabrication while i got busy with the paint brush!



Thats all for now. God bless

[b17ant]

Hi guys, thort id have an update considering ive had some free time. (Flu has grabbed my from the throat). The cars DONE, (in almost a month). Hope you like the pictures. P.S ignore the welding and the bad alignment!

[vaughn1]

wow that was quick!!! puts me to shame lol

out of interest what was the final panel list?

any pics of it biult with doors on or is this as far as you got?

[davej]

That was quick, looks really good

[b17ant]

That was quick, looks really good

Hi there, We didnt put any of the doors/bonnet/;bootlid on the car until they had been colour flattened. They were also painted of the car so we could get into the shuts etc. We are currentley in process of reassembling the car. In terms of the panels list, we changed

Full half floors, both sides (come with inner sills)
both a Panels
rear valence
Both subframe mount panels
Both front wings
Bother inner flitches
Both front door pillars
Both 4.5"sills
Front panel
Rear boot catch panel
Scuttle panel
Inner wings
+ an UNBELIVEABLE amount of fabrication = around 3 sheets of metal

[b17ant]

ITs been three years. A degree has been completed. The mini has been lying around for 3 years, and this thread shall become reactivated. Hope everyone is well, and enjoying the weather! God bless