15 replies to this topic

[ChrisCityE]

I wasn't going to do a project thread for this one, but why not.

 

Being honest, I don't fit in my Van very well and I can't drive more than 30 minutes without pains due to my hip replacements. I miss the thrill of driving a Mini that you are comfortable in, know like the back of your hand and can predict every inch of the road.

 

When a friend asked if I knew anybody interested in a late 90's MPI Cooper I was hesitant - they are absolute rust buckets and I would guess 70-80% of them have by now had a new front end, scuttle, sills and wheelarch repairs due to whatever piss poor quality rust protection they were doing..

 

Thought I would have a look anyway, so this is what I found:

 

 

 

I'm thinking "Not too shabby really, the usual rust issues, but I am not after a show car here, this is a play toy. Looks good..."

 

Bought it, got it home a couple of days later and started attacking it:

 

 

 

Usual signs of water getting into the dash area:

 

 

2 new Yoko A539's have been purchased as the tread was shot on the Conti's that were fitted. New sill and doorstep are in on the drivers side, currently doing the same on the passenger side.

 

Hopefully get an MOT on it this side of Christmas

[joezone2001]

Looks a Nice little car mate. Good luck with the rest of the project. I don't know what rover were using for rust protection in the last few years of production either. I took the seam finishers off the rear end of my mini and there was no paint.. Just bare metal! Shoddy.. Very shoddy! Haha.
Cheers, Joe

[ChrisCityE]

We're getting somewhere now - floor/inner/outer sill and A Panel all done on the drivers side. The passenger side is in primer and awaiting paint. Should be driving this in the new year

 

 

[Sean C]

Looking good Chris. The later minis don't have rust lol :)

[minimissions]

Does look like a nice car to be fair, but i no what you mean with the mpi's rusting we have over 50 cars at work and the worst ones are the mpi's without a doubt lol Hope you manage the mot this side of xmas, should make a nice daily runner when done :)

[domdee]

keep us updated!

[pickuptruck1994]

looks like a good project nice to see your only in Bristol I am in Weston :)

regards

Jordan

[ChrisCityE]

This is never going to be a show winner (unlike everything else we build lol) but I hope that it will be presentable and not look like something that scrapes through the MOT and is a week from the scrapyard.

I would have got it sorted a bit quicker, but the insurance quotes are putting me off a bit considering they want 60% of what I pay for Insurance on a 211bhp A4 2.0T - crazy that I am insuring 2 cars already for about £1100 combined, each with a valuation of over 10k, but for a £2k value Mini it's £430...

[ChrisCityE]

No rush getting this one done, but the A Panels and Sills are welding, primed and painted. Going to Waxoil it today, then it is just the last bits of finishing paint and putting it all back together.

 

 

 

The hole in the wing where the pipe rubbed through has been sorted as well.

 

[Ripple]

i feel for you mate, i'm just about to have the whole front end replaced and the whole car resprayed on my '97 Mpi. Rust in every seam, pretty much only 1/2 an A panel each side. Skuttle needs completely replacing

[ChrisCityE]

I would just be throwing money away if I did a full resto, there's no resale value once it is done. I'm just doing every bit of rust I can and matching the paint up. No need for a full respray etc, it's going to be driven around and probably never go to a single show whilst I own it (except Combe)

[ChrisCityE]

So here we are, doors on, paint still needs finishing and front seats fitting but it is washed and pretty much MOT ready.

 

 

 

[ChrisCityE]

Passed the MOT first time and was back on the road as of 01-01-14

[jamesmpi]

Nice selection of Minis on your front drive

[ChrisCityE]

Yes, many years of collecting! I think the Racing Green and Mk2 will be going before summer though.