68 replies to this topic

[littlewimp]

really nice job on the doors, I am planning on starting mine soon and wandered if the skins were m- machine or heritage ? 

Thanks Neil.

[Jared Mk3]

Very nicely done!

[Tupers]

Last major piece in this Mini shaped puzzle is the boot lid. Both the bottom of the skin and frame of the original lid were badly rotten so something had to be done. 

 

 

I didn't fancy forking out of a Heritage one that isn't the right shape and didn't want to risk buying another rotten lid so I decided to cut the bottom off a solid MK3 lid I had and splice it into the original panel.  

 

The lower section of the old skin was used as a template on the MK3 lid before the whole bottom section was chopped off. 

 

 

The big issue with the MK3 lid was the recess for the number plate that needed removing.

 

 

I slipped a thin spoon down between the skin and frame and then gently planished the fold at the bottom and sides of the recess until the skin had pulled put enough to match the MK1 lid.

 

Here's the result. 

 

After trimming the frame to match on the inside I popped the two section together with some Clecos and bolted everything to the car to check the fit. 

 

A little more trimming to the skin and the welding began. 

 

The frame it 99% done as well and just needs a few more seams doing before it gets hit with the linishing stick.  

 

[minimissions]

Some awesome work there tupers once again it's looking great, glad I got to see those a panel sections they look great I defo think that will be the route I take for mine when the time comes .

Keep the pics coming :)

[Daz1968]

Superb work and it's giving me some good tips for when I get further on my restoration,

[johnsn]

I love your work. Is there a tutorial of how to use a block of pine and a few different sized blunt chisels to beat a panel into shape?

john

[Rocket.]

Awesome work

[slidehammer]

Great looking project and some fine fabrication / workmanship going on there, keep it up. One thing I do think is Mk1s need treating with a certain amount of respect now and I think the roof should stay a factory colour, so if you are going for a contrasting roof, old English White is the way to go with the Almond Green, but that is only my opinion. Keep the up dates coming as I have a MK2 to do and I have only ever done internal hinge shells so the doors and A panels are all new territory for me!

[mab01uk]

The gold roof will look great in my opinion......many Mk1 Mini's are restored to standard 'factory' or 'showroom' perfect condition these days but in the 1960's and 70's many had modifications of some kind and this was all part of the appeal of owning an early Mini back then.