16 replies to this topic

[venkman]

How bad is a bad mini? I have a clubman shell that i thought wasn't to bad, it was hard to see underneath were it was stored, had a poke around outer sills were gone heelboard and up the door pillars from door step.

When i got it home the floor was 3 layers so what looked ok has turned out to be a reel s###er.

 

I feel confident in my welding but not sure if its worth the hardwork and £££ in panels.

 

Anyone pictures of theirs in a bad state and if they cracked on??

 

Thanks

[Tamworthbay]

Anything is fixable, but it can be a labour of love. Have a nose through the project section on here and there are some pretty holey cars on there.

[MINIMADrt]

its all down to own belief.  new shell £6k plus 

 

hard work and save a pig worth it to some not to others its all what your down to do.

[venkman]

Looked through the projects and fill me with inspiration but then i go in garage and get overwelmed.

 

Its things like the bulkhead has rotted about the width of the crossmember inside its trying to work out how to start an area with out removing to much and it loosing shape, it is braced at the moment inside

[Tamworthbay]

Don't ever look at the whole thing or you will never finish it. Look at each bit as a doable job on its own. That way you can focus on what needs to be done and get the satisfaction of finishing each bit. I always alternate between bodywork and mechanical jobs so that I don't get bored of any one bit, it's supposed to be fun after all.

[Ben_O]

I am glad i am saving mine and that was a heap of junk.

 

Once you get a few jobs done and the crusty holes are gradually being replaced with shiny new steel, it gives you the oomph to carry on with it.

 

Like Clive said, a restoration should be fun, if it's not then what is the point?

 

a quarter of my shell is now new steel painted up in zinc primer where there were once holes and it really does give you a boost seeing the rust being chased away.

 

Go for it!

 

Ben

[Stu.]

Depends whether youre on a deadline. Deadlines take the enjoyment out of it for me. My mini project will be done when its done and I wont rush it. Could take 4 years or 8, I dont really care. Taking my time is all part of the enjoyment to me. Working life is just a rat race. Family life is great, but being in the garage with a beer & working on the car is really enjoyable. It wouldnt be if I were rushing to get it done. I realise some folks dont have a choice though.

[Ben_O]

Depends whether youre on a deadline. Deadlines take the enjoyment out of it for me. My mini project will be done when its done and I wont rush it. Could take 4 years or 8, I dont really care. Taking my time is all part of the enjoyment to me. Working life is just a rat race. Family life is great, but being in the garage with a beer & working on the car is really enjoyable. It wouldnt be if I were rushing to get it done. I realise some folks dont have a choice though.

My sentiments exactly

[humph]

Depends whether youre on a deadline. Deadlines take the enjoyment out of it for me. My mini project will be done when its done and I wont rush it. Could take 4 years or 8, I dont really care. Taking my time is all part of the enjoyment to me. Working life is just a rat race. Family life is great, but being in the garage with a beer & working on the car is really enjoyable. It wouldnt be if I were rushing to get it done. I realise some folks dont have a choice though.

 

I agree with all of the above (except the beer, wouldn't trust myself around power tools).  Seeing shiny new metal going in is very rewarding, it keeps you going when times are tough.  Because of this view the car as a series of small jobs as mentioned above. When I started mine I was told to pick an end to start (the rear) and work forward, tackle one side at a time so you've always got an complete side to refer to if you get stuck. So far I have replaced the boot floor, floor extension (it's an Elf), rear valance, heal board etc. Each little step completed keeps me going.  As for whether it's worth saving, who knows, you'll certainly get mixed answers on here. Personally seeing cars scrapped breaks my heart so I'd be saving it if I could.

[Dr s]

I always try and leave the garage in a state that when you open the door it looks like you can get on and have made progress. Spending the first hour trying find grinding discs and a spanner slows me right down and takes the edge off making progress

[Ben_O]

I always try and leave the garage in a state that when you open the door it looks like you can get on and have made progress. Spending the first hour trying find grinding discs and a spanner slows me right down and takes the edge off making progress

Ah now this is a good time to impart some advice.

 

If you have a spare couple of hours and you are not wanting to work on the Mini, start making something that will help you in the garage, something that will avoid all of the searching round for stuff.

I did tis because i had exactly the same problem and as i have to use my garage as an entrance/exit to my flat, it has to be kept tidy.

 

I made a small trolley out of a vegetable rack which is on castors, has a plastic tool tray in the top and holds, spot weld drill, Grinder, grinding discs, flap discs etc, Zinc Primer cans, a few common drill bits and attachments and its ideal, i can find everything straight off.

 

I also made a trolley for my welder which holds a big gas cylinder, the welder itself, has storage for shield, cables etc and is portable.

 

With just these few things, i can go from a tidy garage to full flow working in a few minutes.

 

Give it a try, works for me

 

Ben

[venkman]

I think its the getting it done thing that puts me off!! Don't seem to be able to get it in my head that i have all the time in the world to do this one.

 

Well after whats been said beat keep plugging on, got one that works at least!!

[Ethel]

They're all likely to get that rotten eventually, so if you want a Mini as a keeper.......

[ChopperHarris]

*nods* If a panel is fecked it doesn't matter if its really fecked...you are still going to replace it. Just makes it easier (and more satisfying) to remove!

[Chris1992]

Jagman's project..... need i say more? 

 

http://www.theminifo...ject/?hl=jagman