6 replies to this topic

[sedmann]

Hi guys. Ive had this mini since june 2014 and i have loved every minute of it. When we bought it we knew it needed work on the front end, bubbles on the a panels, the front panel below the headlights and a little bubble on the scuttle. Our initial plan was the perhaps replace what we could and just make him look as good as possible for 2015 show season. Once we started taking the wheels off and looking under things we soon found a few more problems. (Pictures to come) someone had put a jack through both sides on the front side and the welding wasnt that good when it got repaired. Another thing we found is the 'bubbling' a panel drivers side had been filled with filler and fibreglass but as we are replacing it anyway, no big deal.
Here he is up at speeton church about 2 months ago.
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[sedmann]

A couple of weeks ago marked the first day of the restoration. Step 1, engine out. It took an hour of two to finish disconnecting everything we needed to be able to lift the body over the engine whilst it was still on the subframe.
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Engine out.
Now that we could get to the front end properly and see under everywhere, the rust finding began! This is when we found the bodged drivers side a panel and the drivers floor wasnt looking too good either.
So we cut off the a panel.
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Here is the floor which needs replacing as well as some of the toeboard. Big cracks all around the subframe mounting.
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Here is the filler and fibreglass from behind the a panel.  image.jpg   58.25K   6 downloads  image.jpg   58.25K   6 downloads

[Daz1968]

That's the problem with starting a resto you never know how much work is involved until you start stripping it down and removing panels, but at least when finished you will have a much better idea of the condition

[sedmann]

Yeah, true! Its just the front end that needs anything though, the backend has no problems at all, even the subframe! Just a damp boot which im sure is common.

[domdee]

all the best with this!

[Steve220]

Go over the entire car with a fine tooth comb! You never know where tin worm is hiding on these cars. It'll make your life easier when it comes to the respray too.

I can't wait to get a project to play with. The wife can.

[sedmann]

Thanks a lot! Decided im going to go for a low and wide motorsport inspired look