10 replies to this topic

[Strak]

Hey all,

 

I'm working on a mini project which has been massively delayed partly due to some welding that needs doing, partly due to moving to France in the middle of the project.

 

It's a 1979 850cc, and I bought it as a project to try and actually learn something about cars.

 

After switching the brakes for disc brakes and getting the engine running which I was quite proud of I had a mechanic friend look at the bodywork. We started to find more and more holes (predictable I know!). I gave it to someone to work on but he hasn't had much time, so I've asked another welder to quote on it but I've been told that it's a huge job (potentially up to £3000 just for the welding) and it really would be a good idea to look at a replacement shell.

 

The thing is I really don't know where to look, how to guarantee that I get a good one, or even how big a job it would be to put the new shell on.

 

Does anybody have any advice (apart from the obvious that I shouldn't have started the project with so little knowledge!!).

 

Cheers,

Strak

[alex-95]

Have you got any photos, we should be able to give you a list of panels needed and if the quote is about right or not. 

[pete l]

Are you still in France ?

[sonikk4]

A new shell which is the correct legal route will cost just shy of £7k so £3k on welding and keeping the original shell is not that bad.

[Strak]

Thanks for the quick replies,

 

Yes still in France but frequently back in the UK too, and I kind of want to finish the car even if I won't get to drive it as much as I wanted to - I don't like leaving my projects half 

 

I wondered about a second hand shell instead of just a brand new one - I thought it was possible to notify the DVLA of that. The cheapest brand new shell I found is here: http://www.minispeed...ge-body-shell/.

 

The guy was saying it's possibly 15-20 days work but very hard for him to tell accuratelyso I'm taking £3k as a worst case. He said it could be considerably less if he doesn't need to replace the sills, but when he looked (he visited the car) there was possibly some overlap from a previous repair on the sill on one side (he couldn't get to the other side), but he did say that sill looks solid for now.

 

I had a friend take some pictures of the worst parts for me:

 

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[sonikk4]

Minispeed are no in business I'm afraid so ignore that one.

[sonikk4]

Looking the pictures I think you will need the following.

Complete boot floor
Inner arches both sides
Rear valance including closeouts
Inner sills both sides and full ones not repair ones
Outer sills
Heelboard ends or maybe a complete one.
At a minimum flitch panels
A panels
Front wings
Front panel
Rear quarter panel repairs or full quarters.
Door steps both sides
A posts
I have not seen the scuttle but certainly the closeouts for them.
Boot skin
Not seen the doors either so guessing they will need new skins and lower door frame repair sections.
Boot hinge panel full width as well.

[sonikk4]

You cannot legally use a second hand shell either it must be a new one. No further comment on that due to forum rules

[Strak]

Yeah passenger side door is in a bad state, I managed to get a whole new door in good condition quite cheap though so that part will be ok, and some replacement flitch panels have been purchased, with a few other things but it's so long ago now that I forget what and I can't check easily until I'm home next month.

 

So I guess I need to add the cost of those panels on top of his labour cost - is a panel required in all cases or could some of those things be patched?

 

Realistically then, welding seems to be the way to go, or just buying a whole mini and forgetting my project. Do you think the quoted price sounds reasonable?

[sonikk4]

If what you have shown is all of it then £3k if that includes panels won't be far off. Oh and paint.

Now patching is OK to an extent but it's just that, patches. Ok if it's a daily driver that gets used and abused but for something with longevity then no as nine times out of ten the rust will come through.

So a new shell and I mean brand new will cost you what I said. Then you need to add paint on top of that so anywhere from £2k upwards.

So repairing it properly means it's still the original car, not a ringer ( second hand shells but we won't go into that can of worms)

Now it's down to want you can afford and also are you going to keep the car?? An 850 is nothing special and will not command a high selling price but that's not what counts if you want to use it and keep it.

If you look at what I am doing to my Clubby ( see the Project Paddy link in my signature) I will never recoup my money, £3k on panels alone so far. The engine will be by the time I'm finished will set me back at least £5k.
I'm painting him myself. The interior is good just a headlining replacement and new carpet set. Running gear is good is wheels are new, brake conversion done etc.
There will be other expenses like the bling bits for the engine etc so probably another £1.5k
It's not a 1275GT so will never command a huge price but he's a keeper for a very long time.

[Strak]

Thanks for all of your advice guys, I've decided to go with the welding!

 

I'm not looking to resell it, I just want my project to be finished and to have a nice little mini to drive around in when I'm in the UK :)