8 replies to this topic

[GrahamHill]

For those of you who missed me in the intro forum. My name is Graham and I work as a distributor of welding equipment so I thought it would be a prime time to get myself an early xmas present and see just how good my welding skills really are. I have just submitted an application to become a trader so if accepted I will let you all know when we get shipments of goodies in. If not then bah humbug to you all

Anyway - I have wanted a mini since I was little... actually sat down and worked out when I really first wanted a mini and that was way back in 1991 watching them race round Croft. Brilliant little machines with so much character and even more character compared to todays things (granted better all round cars tho). So back in '91 I was 5 and now 20 years on the bug has caught up with me and said hello...

The bug that bit me was a 1984 Austin Mini City E with a 1ltr. It currently has 4 wheels and 3 tyres, one door, no interior, no headlights, some rust repairs and of course some rust! Oh, and a few holes. It looks like a bit of a state but my view is that most of the stripping work has been done for me
Plus the current owner has said that he will supply a new door and tyre.

The engine turns but has not been started - no reason why it shouldn't start its just been left since 2008. That will be a side project - see if it works and get rid.

Plans...

Well this mini is going to be a very part time build as I tend to do website work when I am 'not working'. Theoretically it probably puts me much too close to under minimum wage but I know that a good website = good visitors = purchases = money = profit = part in my pocket. So the build will be slow but then I guess thats why the house was built with a garage maybe not.

As per the intro forum really... i'm looking at going for a pro-motive R1 conversion. My main reason is that I don't want an engine in the back. Keeping it traditional :S
With that said I have plans for changing the rear light cluster to make it a little more modern but remaining retro. If you understood that then i'm impressed. Think I will keep that one under wraps just so its a nice surprise. I am also contemplating de-seaming but then weighing that up against the fact that that is part of the mini style and charm - thoughts?


Step one: Buy RCBO for fuse board wiring to garage
Step two: Get 16amp socket fitted in garage (think I might have had the electrician do this already)
Step three: Strip her to bare shell
Step four: Get on with the project!

I'm loving step four is massive! Pictures to follow

[GrahamHill]

It looks better from afar... close up you can see the rust.



I have got another door actually sat in the car.



They don't look too bad but there is some welding to do and some previous welds to take out - figured that as the welds look like a 'that will do to get it through the MOT' I would get it chopped out and do them nicely and grind them down etc.

I am still at step 1... The skip has been removed today and now I need to get her in the garage before this rain makes bits fall off!

If you want to see all the pics then www.photobucket.com/CityE will get you there. Not much at the mo but I will be taking lots of photos and only selecting a few for the forum. Trying to keep things neat.

[The Matt]

Looks like a good base for a project

[GrahamHill]

Well today I have been playing with my Mini and thought I would take a few pics for you. Amazingly quick progress since the 9th! ;)

Took the glass out and the bumpers off and used my rust detecting device (aka screwdriver) to play along bits of the floor etc.

Headlining was done by a real pro! Had to be coming out.

I know you don't see it but this is how it was finished off.


How many spark plugs?

40 to be precise.

Room in the boot for a few bits - including a spare gear stick.


See the excellent repair?


Can't remember what part of the car this is but it was found with the trusty screw driver.


Bumper was concealing a fair amount of rust.





Spot the MOT pass fibre glass?!


Glass out of the car. Will be putting the sides and rear on eBay. Shall be replaced with poly later in life.


Not done much but thought I would show you that I have made some progress. Expect the rest of the progress to be this quick too ;)
Now for your help!

What blue is this?!
The bottom blue is what the car was resprayed (badly) and the top blue is the original colour of the car. It's a June '84 car.


Cheers folks.

[madboy]

likes like a good project there and loads of fun ahead

[GrahamHill]

So while I have no space in my garage to strip the car (nor do i have power still) I thought I would start on the rust removal by means of electrolysis :)
I love the fact that you can see it in action.

Mine has been fabricated from an old 5 volt DC output phone charger (the phone doesn't even have a colour screen!) - plug cut off and croc clips added to the ends of the positive and negative. Seems to work well and my sacrificial piece of metal is an old woodworking file that came 'free' with the house ;)

Thought I would just add this as it is (sad i know) exciting stuff. Pictures of the setup to follow.

[olds_kool_lews]

dont suppose you got that mini from ebay? there was 5 for sale on ebay from a breakers and i was tempted by this one, but was beaten to it lol

[GrahamHill]

Spot on olds kool. :)
I apparently beat you and 4 other offers to it. Some guy even turned up with a truck to pick it up and pay more despite being told it was sold... don't know if that is true or not but they sold all of them in about 5 days. I was looking for a proper project so it was ideal. thought I would avoid the wheel-less and dented roofs though.

[olds_kool_lews]

thought as much! i even secured the sale on this one the day they were listed, sorted collection and on the morning it was due to be picked up, i rang and was told it was already sold the day previous! wasnt to happy about it but ended up gettin the wheel less burgundy mayfair (with no boot floor in it, rotten front end but the main shell is fairly solid) and the purple shell with the dented roof and rotten floors for £250 the pair lol) whats ur plans for it?