130 replies to this topic

[Jared Mk3]

Stunning 

[PNL629G]

Wow. That's gorgeous, you've done a lovely job on that! Thanks for sharing your progres, lok forward to seeing the finished car! :)

[slidehammer]

Nearly there now, really enjoying this thread your quality of work is great.

[minimissions]

Wow just had a read through this and what a stunning build nice that you didnt have to much body work to do at the begining but what a car that is so nice to see it all original just makes me want to start mine more and more now but will have to wait until others are done...

 

Top work

[ribz0]

Looking great Daz!! LOL.... my mrs laughed..... I showed her your next project.... I have another 2 waiting so good to see Im not the only one.....   I little worse for wear than yours though....

 

Car is looking so GOOD!!!!

 

Cheers

[Daz1968]

Thanks, the mk2 cooper I have had a very long time and it was restored mid eighties, problem is the panels available at the time were not correct and the floor although solid has no flutes in rear sections, inner sills are home made as couldn't get anything at the time so I have decided to treat it to a full m machine floor, full boot floor and inner wings to enhance its appeal. It has factory right hand tank and recliner seats so would think the investment would be worth it.

[minimissions]

I can understand you putting that back to the correct floors, etc going to look wicked when its all done not that it doesnt already like you say its worth putting the time in those are getting very rare. :)

[ribz0]

Well I think you are right there Daz..... these little things are good investments... however... they are only good investments if you are prepared to sell them... lol... I dont think I could part with mine... or the others in the sad state they are in... lol...

If the one you are doing now is the standard of your work... then the next one will be just as AWESOME!!!! being a cooper... even AWESOMER!!!  lol...

Cheers

[minimissions]

I agree I keep getting told these are nice investments but would like to think the ones i have now i wont have to sell..

[Daz1968]

I have no intentions of selling but it needs painting anyway so the extra investment in panels is quite minor compared to rest of work as it has over sills which are a big no no although I fitted them in the 80s and modified them to let water out and no old metal is inside them so they are still solid but would put off any potential buyer in the future. There is also patches on inner wings and floors again not rusty but better repair panels are available now. I also like the challenge of doing it,
Have decided to get grill for mk1 powder coated silver and keep eyes peeled for a better original grill or someone prepared to rechromed one as have tried two platers now and neither wants to do it due to the awkwardness of polishing inside the louvres
Price also appears to be an issue with chrome platers as even my original 5 bolt bumpers are minimum £120 each to do so have fitted stainless genuine rover ones for now.

[ribz0]

Sounds great Daz.. like you said... lots more stuff available now so why not...  Im yet to get into the deep depth of unpicking panels but am looking forward to learning... I have 2 cars that will need panel work and I'd luv to do all the panel work myself also... you make it sound and look so easy... well... lots of guys on here do also.... lol...

 

I know what you mean about platers... have the same prob here in Oz... very hard to get a decent job done... nothing wrong with stainless...

 

Things do change along the way but lets hope we can all keep our little hoard of minis.... 

 

Cheers..

[Daz1968]

Another small update but was a load of hassle, fitted the moustache and grill which I have had silver powder coated until I can sort out a good chrome one. Had to take bumpers off and the clips for whiskers were useless so have drilled larger holes in front panel and use some small t bolts to hold them on, since removed to paint the holes, thought it would give it a little clean, I am happy with paintwork although know where there are a few errors in my learning process so am confident will do better next time but have decided to leave this as it is as it's never been intended a show car so a few blemishes don't really matter and being a dark colour unless I am very careful a few swirls are bound to appear after a few washes. Main thing is I have learned a lot on this one due to being first paint job.

I must admit though the repro moustache is nothing like the shape of my original one so took ages to get sitting something like. The actual depth of it is different to original one

Edited by Daz1968, 19 April 2015 - 06:10 PM.

[Daz1968]

Almost there now,

Fitted over riders to rear


Fitted bonnet and finalised grill fitting


Quick under bonnet shot


Front view



Added an old aa badge to break the grill up


Need to get wheel arch trim, secure the battery strap and have tyres fitted to original restored wheels, then hopefully try to get an mot. I could do with flatting and polishing bonnet a little as there is some peel and a few nibs in it but I am not good at this yet so will revisit after I have practiced elsewhere as don't want to repaint if I can help it.

Really looking forward to driving it now not driven a mini for 16 years so in for a bit of a shock I think.

Edited by Daz1968, 26 April 2015 - 11:48 AM.

[minimissions]

Nice to see it all built up love this car think it's ace. Good luck for its mot can't see why it would fail :)

[Daz1968]

Had my old g800 cross plys fitted to original wheels


Then fitted them to car along with trims and set the tracking up,




Another quick shot of interior, I was amazed how well seats were for original


Have secured battery in boot and fitted cover and strap and gave brakes and wheels once over for any play, hopefully ok.
Need to get chrome trim for wheel arches then try for an mot. Pity not enough time before himley show, but not going to rush now. I also have to give it a quick service as oil in is currently at least 25 years old but clean so not used much since last service. I also have to sort out the classic car tax status. Pleased with it just hope all ok as not been used for a long time and I have only replaced what was worn and have kept as many original parts as practical.

Edited by Daz1968, 03 May 2015 - 06:44 PM.