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Getting My 1973 850 Ready To Go Back On The Road After A 20 Years Absence!

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#1 Keith Staley

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Posted 21 July 2015 - 03:39 PM

This project was actually started last September when I came into a bit of money, and decided - with a friend - to investigate whether the mini was ok enough bodywise to partly do a restore to the best of our abilities with the aim to restore her back to the road. The car looked a dirty and sorry state when I gutted the garage of 20 years worth of household clutter and discarded toys. The car had fallen down on her tyres, cobwebs and thick dust everyone inside and outside of it. However, on a thorough inspection the bodywork and flooring was in solid condition. This was no surprise to me as I had had extensive welding done after I bought the car in 1992,, plus the garage has had no leaks. We lifted up the bonnet and the engine looked as much in the condition I remember prior to the car coming off the road in 1995, after being in a minor front crash. All in all we decided then and there it will take a lot of work, and replacing of parts, etc, to complete a project like this BUT we decided to go for it!
To be continued ..................

Edited by Keith Staley, 20 August 2015 - 04:47 PM.


#2 spiguy

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Posted 21 July 2015 - 10:14 PM

Good for you. I admire your courage. Wish I could find the motivation to get back out to the garage and finish mine (that's what happens when you go out and buy another one..) :lol:



#3 ninham

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Posted 16 August 2015 - 09:16 AM

Sounds good to me.
Little but like mine but not so many years covered and forgotten.
Mine was left for 6 years under a cover and only last year started on it again and nearly finished all the body work. Paint next.

Look forward to updates.

#4 Keith Staley

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Posted 18 August 2015 - 05:55 PM

I thought I should put up some pictures but unfortunately I didn't take any of the inside of the garage when it was in its cocoon of cardboard boxes and kiddie toys.

 

So here are a few pictures of when the seized brakes were freed, wheels painted and a new set of tyres put on and it was pushed out of the garage for the first time in 20 years.

 

As you will see it still needs a hell of work on her to being back to some of her former glory and getting back on the road. We see this finally happening in early Spring next year. But then again, Rome wasn't built in one day, and it's a great project to be personally involved in. :)

 

Update: since these photos were taken the front of the car damage that was caused by a crash has been largely pulled out. The engine has now almost been thoroughly cleaned and will be ready for painting

Earlier in the process to where we are now, we drained the old engine oil and replaced it with new oil, plus a new oil filter. We are also in the process of ensuring all the water system is functioning as it should, and intend to replace all perished rubber hoses within this system.

 

 

The overall aim of this project as I have limited funds is to do the best we can with what we have got and only to replace parts that definitely need replacing.

 

WP_20150629_16_05_03_Pro.jpg

 

WP_20150629_16_05_15_Pro.jpg

 

WP_20150629_16_05_28_Pro.jpg

 

WP_20150629_16_05_40_Pro.jpg

 

WP_20150629_16_05_51_Pro.jpg

 

WP_20150629_16_06_07_Pro.jpg


Edited by Keith Staley, 20 August 2015 - 04:55 PM.


#5 Keith Staley

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Posted 19 August 2015 - 03:25 PM

Good for you. I admire your courage. Wish I could find the motivation to get back out to the garage and finish mine (that's what happens when you go out and buy another one..) :lol:



Sounds good to me.
Little but like mine but not so many years covered and forgotten.
Mine was left for 6 years under a cover and only last year started on it again and nearly finished all the body work. Paint next.

Look forward to updates.


Thanks to both of  your interest and comments. I am really looking forward to getting behind the wheel to drive my beloved mini again on the road!

Edited by Keith Staley, 20 August 2015 - 12:58 PM.






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