10 replies to this topic

[TheFakeKiwi]

I had my Mini checked over today and it transpires that she has bodywork issues I didn't realise she had. Anyway long story short I have decided to cut my losses and break her or sell her as a project car.

 

That was until the other half had a nose on eBay and spotted a fully restored shell....

 

Now, my heart hasn't wanted to get rid of the mini as I had dreams wrapped around this thing - dreams of what I wanted her to look like etc, but that was shattered today when the realism hit, and I don't have the expertise to sort the body work myself.

 

 

 

So I was typing away creating a post in the 'Breaking' section of the forum when the new shell suggestion cropped up and threw me straight back into a quandry...   The issue is, mechanically she is as sweet as a nut. Early this morning, a tad more tweaking sorted her timimg issue and she's running beautifully again, so in theory it's just in need of a new shell

 

But realistically...  just how much work is involved in bolting bits from one car onto a new shell?  Is this the most stupidest idea ever for a novice?  I'd end up with a beautiful new shell, and good engine, I can start design wise from scratch with her. Spray costs are not an issue for me as I can get that done for the cost of the paint, and I already have most of the interior as I bought it with my plans for this one and what I wanted to do.

 

I guess there must have been people here who have reshelled a mini - in truth, just how much work is it and would you redo it if the situation arose?

 

I'm no mechanic but I have others who could help me - but I don't want to become dreamy eyed at keeping her if it's the stupidest idea ever..?

[JimminyBob]

There's nothing overly complex to swapping parts from one shell to another, there's no skill involved. With a bit of help off users on here and people you know it's very doable if it's what you want.

Edited by JimminyBob, 25 May 2013 - 10:24 PM.

[KernowCooper]

The wiring on a mini is pretty basic so thats not to bad a job, just take your time and dont strip it all into boxes do a swap over bit by bit is my advice, if you get stuck all the help is here so your not left in the lerch mate.

[TheFakeKiwi]

It's very much what I want. I'm a lass and yes, I have a couple of leaky eye moments (very minor I will add...! I don't want to look completely soppy) when I've stopped to think about selling her. But equally, I don't want to get carried away with the idea that I can 'just' switch bits over and all will be fine. I also don't like leaning on others too much so would like to be able to do this with my Haines manual a a guide as much as poss (plus the advice on here which is awsome)

 

 

Thanks guys.  I've never been attached to a car before, but I've wanted a mini since before I learnt to drive (and that was many moons ago!) and now I have one I don't want to let the dream go.  I went into mini ownership with my eyes wide open, knowing they are a money pit. It's my starting experience that's the issue. But that was one of the things I commented on before I bought her - that I want to learn more about cars and mechanics etc, so this would be a truly ideal time to learn right...!

 

 

Thanks for the encourangement.  I honestly thought everyone would say "don't be so barmy, it's madness trying to do that!"

 

And who knows, one day I might finally get her to a Mini meet somewhere!

 

How cool would that be though - knowing I'd put her all back together myself? (with help)

[Fast Ivan]

one thing I would advise is that you should take someone who knows what there looking at (not saying you don't, just unsure) before buying a "restored shell" from ebay.

 

the other option would be to give your mini to these fellas http://www.theminifo...ce-northampton/

 

to sort the body work out

[TheFakeKiwi]

Nope, I definately don't know what I'm looking at (as was clear from what I bought with this one!) so it's a totally fair point to make.  I have found a local chap who can do body work but the cost to repair sounds inviable hence thinking of reshelling her instead, maybe.   But that was my concern - will I just buy something that's bad and be back to square one.. I would definately need to take someone with me know knows about the body work more than I do!

[mk1coopers]

Perhaps the cost of restoration would be lower if you had a mini specialist look at it (worth a try) they may have more knowledge than someone who just does bodywork, and could be faster (saving you money) as they are always working on Minis. As with all of these things do your research and ask to see examples of their work ect, and always pay in stages, never the whole amount up front, any reputable business will have no problem with this

Edited by mk1coopers, 26 May 2013 - 06:45 AM.

[ibrooks]

Bear in mind that it's rarely as simple as swapping bits from one car to another. Things that would work for many years have a habit of failing when you disturb them so account for a certain amount of re-conditioning as parts move from one car to another. Also bear in mind that you don't really want to be taking oily/rusty parts and sticking them on a nice shiny shell.

 

Space is a consideration - unless you are seriously organised you'll end up with the footprint of three Minis at least. The new shell, the old shell and all the parts that are on their way from one to the other and are being cleaned/painted on the way.

 

Time - this can be a blessing and a curse. It will take time if doing it yourself and learning as you go. That can be a pain as you will inevitably spend time looking at a pile of parts and being demoralised because you can't see the end of the process when you'll be able to drive it again. On the plus side you will be spending money on it gradually as jobs are done - you might well spend more than it would have cost to pay someone to do the welding but since it's spread out you won't feel the hit in the bank account as hard.

 

Go for it!

[lrostoke]

There's also the legal side of things.

 

Officially you should use the registration that comes with the shell.

So worth checking the legal status of the shell.

Plus 2 other major components...

 

So from a purely legal point you would need the car inspecting and re-registering.

 

Keeping a vehicle’s original registration number

You can apply to keep a rebuilt vehicle’s original registration number if you can prove you’ve used:

• the original unmodified chassis or bodyshell (car or light van)
• a new chassis or monocoque bodyshell of the same specification as the original (car or light van)
• an unmodified frame, either original or new (motorbike)

You must have a registration document or other written evidence linking the registration number to the vehicle.

You also have to have 2 other major components from the original vehicle from the following lists:

For cars or light vans

• suspension (front and back)
• steering assembly
• axles (both)
• transmission
• engine

 

 

 

Like others have said the swap isn't difficult.

[olds_kool_lews]

If you get stuck, and want someone to do the body swap, give us a shout :)

[TheFakeKiwi]

Thanks guys - actually, I did sit there and scratch my head over the log book...  She's had her engine changed in the past so that's not original, and then I was looking at reshelling her so then that wouldn't be original.....  So I did wonder how one earth that would work!

 

As it happens, someone who was originally looking at the car contacted me suddenly on Sunday to pick her up.  She does need more work that I can commit to her so I've let her go.

 

And yes, I'm already regretting it, and will be keeping my eye out in the future for another one, so I'm afraid you haven't gotten rid of me yet!     But I'll go into the next one with my eyes MUCH more open.  I know they can be a money and time sink, but I think my next will be much less modified and much simpler. Start simpler next time eh?

 

I've really appreciated the advise guys