5 replies to this topic

[Slatersmini]

We purchased new in 1993 a Nightfire Red Rover Mini Cabriolet which is now on 37,000 miles and  although looking great, has all the usual rust spots as well as more hiding under the fibreglass skirts and arches ( known areas are: drivers footwell, both sills, boot floor, A frame around window and next to wipers, below headlights, bubble of rust on front of bonnet by trim and around boot lock . The soft top roof has two small rips which are repaired and the car water tight from above!, however roof is sagging and worn on edges where door/windows brush against it hence it needs a re-cover.

 

I am looking for advice and rough budget for getting this fixed properly (e.g. strip the car , replace panels blast  and repaint , replace everything rubber on rebuild, check cabriolet hood mechanism and adjust. We are down in Cornwall the car is due MOT 26th November however it is running great so really looking for a place to get it fixed over comming months. Would like to hear circa £5-6000 budget, sorry but I dont do any mechanics or bodywork just enjoy having and driving Mini's. Have been wondering if I go for full dogs ******* restoration or sell as a project???

 

Any input will be appreciated.

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[jpw1275]

To be honest I think most people don't have a clue about bodywork and mechanics when they buy mini's and that's the whole fun part in learning ..... I would atleadt have a go restoring it yourself first , I hadn't welded before until I got a mini and now I'm doing a full blown restoration

Cheers james

[minidaves]

think with labour your gonna be heading towards 8k if it needs a roof and a repaint if you dont do any work

[Tupers]

I think you would be fairly safe in your £5000/£6000 budget. 

 

I did a '63 Crayford earlier this year which totalled 120 hours of metal work so £3600 at £30 an hour. That entailed replace the entire floor front to rear, new inner wings, full front, rear panel and one rear quarter.

 

I think the body prep and paint was £2900 inc materials as it was non metalic. 

 

 

 

Given your list I'd imagine metal work would be a max of 60hrs providing it doesn't need to front for scuttle replacing so £1800 at £30 an hour. 

 

Body prep and paint should be £3000 plus depending on how straight the car is and just how shinny you want it. 

[GraemeC]

Must be a few quid fort the panels though Tupers?

[sonikk4]

Panels can either be cheap or expensive, it really does depend on what you want. 

 

Panels alone for my Clubby have cost me over £2.5k so that is something to factor in. The biggest problem with any resto is what you don't see. I have gone overboard with my car but that is my choice.