19 replies to this topic

[robminibcy]

Just realised Im on a mini related site and have a page up for a vw but not for a mini!

 

Becky is a 79 mini 1000 that started life in russet brown. brought unseen on ebay :-0 for a decent price back in 2011 when I was 17. had a few months mot and tax but were well aware that work was required mainly dealing with rust!!! She is my first car and was a great opportunity to learn about working on cars and how they work.

 

more to follow.

Here is how she was when I first got her:

Edited by robminibcy, 28 July 2014 - 06:45 PM.

[robminibcy]

I ran in for a month or so before getting it off the road to sort the bodywork. I wanted old English white and black roof, 6 months later and after much learning and graft she was back on the road! It had rot in usual mini places except the scuttle which was perfect. New floors, new front end repaid here and there. Pics up shortly

[Adventure Time]

shortly

 

'shortly'

Edited by Adventure Time, 12 September 2014 - 06:48 PM.

[robminibcy]

I'll get some more pics up!! Forgot id started this!! Been to busy actually working on it.

[robminibcy]

backtracking a bit! here she is on the trailer in 2011 after being towed back from Peebles in Scotland (where I brought her from)

 

A typical grubby although very original and sweet running 998 a series. Just don't mention the lack of3rd gear syncro!

 

A couple of months later and started to strip her down ready for the bodywork to begin

In the bodyshop (where I worked at the time)

Hole!

nearly a hole!

Big hole!

Plenty of previous repairs although thankfully all welded not fiberglassed fillered, sticky taped!

How many resprays?!

Edited by robminibcy, 13 September 2014 - 02:21 PM.

[robminibcy]

Time to start the bodywork. This is where I made my first and almost unforgiveable mistake (following the advice of "exprts"!!) Even at the tender age of 17 it went against all of my natural instincts!  I put the new floor over the old one (hangs head in shame) This is a job I will be redoing properly with a complete floor in the next year or so:

 

[Adventure Time]

what's your plans for her? keeping it original ?

which 'expert' told you to weld over the original floor ? haha

[robminibcy]

First Patch in the roof:

 

 

Although im not happy with many of the repairs done on the car I can honestly say that no holes were covered in fiberglass/ filler/ stickytape!

 

Next off is the front end:

 

 

Old front

Gone!

Getting better.

Nearly!

YAY!!

Edited by robminibcy, 13 September 2014 - 03:24 PM.

[robminibcy]

In Total the car had:

 

new front

 

new floors (which need redoing properly)

 

proper sills

 

half boot floor

 

boot hinge repair panel

 

boot lid

 

valance and closing panels

 

drivers side fltch panel

 

rear seatbelt mounts

 

patches in 3 of 4 roof corners

 

3 quarter repairs

 

rear subby mounts

 

heritage rear subby

 

various other minor patches

 

now time to prep for paint!

 

 

 

First bit of under seal!

[robminibcy]

what's your plans for her? keeping it original ?

which 'expert' told you to weld over the original floor ? haha

It was several people sadly and worryingly! and sort of standard yes but with a twist. Its sort of restored now although still lots of bits to do/ redo! All these pics are from 3 years ago!

[sonikk4]

Wont be the first car that's had a floor welded over another floor.

[robminibcy]

Time for paint!

Last bit of flatting!

 

Painted!

 

Out in the day light

 

 

[robminibcy]

Assembly time the really fun bit

 

New wheels as well Dunlop D1s although keeping the standard steelys to refurb at some point plus they are fun as they have no grip!

 

Finished ish! This is just after passing her MOT and is July 2012

[robminibcy]

Here is a pic just after going back on the road in Wales.

 

And here she is a mini fest!

 

She was now back on the road as my daily and used daily to commute to work. she was very reliable letting me down twice in a year once with a head gasket and once with a small fire! :-0 the fire was caused by the alternator feed rubbing on the dipstick over a number of years before finally shorting and taking out the complete front loom which was very scary  must admit! managed to part fire out and she had a brand new loom fitted.

 Fast forward to march 2013 and it became apparent that the front suspension was going to need work, so got myself a new daily (mk4 golf tdi) so I could have her as a toy.

 

Rebuilt the front end suspension in july 2013 with all genuine or uprated parts along with a new quick steering rack and shes good to go again and what a difference!! Cant remember if I got any pics of the suspension rebuild if I did ill stick em up.

Edited by robminibcy, 13 September 2014 - 03:55 PM.

[robminibcy]

Treated her to a set of driving lights

 

Interior was next in early 2014

Old

 

New (thanks to optimise automotive)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still needed a carpet at this point!