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1985 City E Cool Retro Restoration and Rebuild


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Poll: HELP.....I can't Decide! (14 member(s) have cast votes)

Rally Numbers or no Rally Numbers?!!

  1. YES - Get the Numbers on (4 votes [28.57%])

    Percentage of vote: 28.57%

  2. NO - Its Better without (10 votes [71.43%])

    Percentage of vote: 71.43%

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#1 Russell

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Posted 12 September 2006 - 10:26 AM

Right!
This is my first post on this website and its all for my 1985 mini project.
I'll try and keep everything down to just one thread for simplicitys sake so stick any opinions or question in, they are all appreciated.
I bought the car last November after a few months searching for the best/most solid base for a project i could find! It had a few days tax and a couple of weeks mot on it so getting it home was no problem, it didn’t miss a beat! With only 2 previous owners and 25k on the clock it was perhaps a bit too good for a resto but I had already decided I would rather spend a little more money in the first place and do less bodywork in the long run! Its actually very nearly finished now but I'll start at the beginning and upload loads of photos for you all to see the story!

Here it is back in November ready to be driven home for work to commence
Attached File  DSC00331.JPG   260.91K   7 downloads

And here it is recently with the exterior more or less finished
Attached File  DSC01072.JPG   396.15K   24 downloads

The plan was to end up with something a bit classic but retro, wide and low running on wide 10" wheels!
The engine is just a stage 1 998cc at the moment due to insurance and i ran out of time, needing the car on the road to take me bak to uni!
Plans are for 1275 mg block to go in next year so i have concentrated on getting all bodyworrk, suspension and brakes sorted first ready for a simple engine swap to finally complete the project.
spec is a little something like this:-
engine - 998cc stage 1
suspension - original rubber cones, hi-lo's and spax adjustables all round
brakes - minispares 4pot callipers, 7.5" cooper s discs, braided goodridge hoses and EBC Green Stuff pads.
wheels - 6x10" mamba alloys
body - Full respray BMW hyper Blue Metallic with Ford Diamond White roof. Group 2 arches blended into bodywork along with frond end de-seam. Mk1 grille and bonnet. Demon Tweeks F1 style door mirrors.

Thats all for now folks

#2 Russell

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Posted 12 September 2006 - 10:47 AM

well its only a few minutes since i made my first post but i have just realised i can put up a poll so hopefully you can all help me choose!

I'm playing with the idea of gettin a set of vinyl rally numbers made for the doors and have made a paper template just to see how it looks.

without??
Attached File  DSC01084.JPG   255.52K   14 downloads

with??
Attached File  DSC01090.JPG   263.44K   10 downloads

#3 Guess-Works.com

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Posted 12 September 2006 - 10:51 AM

either way, looks good ! :proud:

#4 minipixie

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Posted 12 September 2006 - 10:53 AM

yeah i tend to agree, either way looks good! but im swaying a little more towards without lol! but only slightly towards it!

#5 Teapot

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Posted 12 September 2006 - 10:53 AM

Welcome to the forum.
Well done with your pride and joy, especially making sure it'll stop before you make it go faster!
IMHO leave the numbers off unless you're taking it to a themed meeting. I used to have some for Huey but now they live permanently on the freezer in the garage. It's the only rally freezer in the neighbourhood!

#6 miniboo

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Posted 12 September 2006 - 10:56 AM

Good idea teapot.

Why not get them made onto a magnetic backing like driving instructors have and bung them on when you feel like it.

Best of both worlds then

#7 Russell

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Posted 12 September 2006 - 10:57 AM

Welcome to the forum.
Well done with your pride and joy, especially making sure it'll stop before you make it go faster!
IMHO leave the numbers off unless you're taking it to a themed meeting. I used to have some for Huey but now they live permanently on the freezer in the garage. It's the only rally freezer in the neighbourhood!



hehe!
i guess these must be some magnetic ones
now why didnt i think of that?! lol!
cheers guys

#8 Teapot

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Posted 12 September 2006 - 11:00 AM

Magnetic ones are useful but they can be (and are) easily nicked and can fly off at speed if the wind gets under them. Suggest they are used for decoration only, not left unattended and not used at high speeds.

#9 Baldspeed Racing

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Posted 12 September 2006 - 03:28 PM

Looks nice mate, good work :proud:

#10 Russell

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Posted 18 September 2006 - 11:23 AM

well i have decided against the numbers for the time being although a magnetic set look possible for the future when i can find a bit of cash (student loans in next week! lol!)
time for some new pictures for those who are interested. as i have said the project is nearly over now but it seems silly to start anywhere other than the begining!
i will gradually upload the pictures and stages of the build but i cant be bothered to do it all in one go because its gonna take ages!

Here is the interior when i got it.....totally standard apart from a cooper steering wheel!
Attached File  ebay_5.jpg   22.36K   0 downloads


And the engine bay, nothing exciting just like any other standard 998 mini!
Attached File  DSC00374.JPG   407.25K   0 downloads



AND THE PROJECT BEGINS......
Attached File  DSC00391.JPG   486.43K   0 downloads


Engine out
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Front subframe out and rid of the front wiring loom
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so thats the front end of the shell stripped in the time it took to take just 3 photo's! lol
it became evident that hunting for such a solid shell was deffinatley the best thing to do, front end is solid with it looking like new sills and a new a-panel is all that will be needed. as for the back end, well that comes later because my shed is too small to work on both ends at the same time! once the front is done its subfame back on, wheel it out, turn it round, then start on the back!
more pictures soon.....i prommise!

#11 BenMcMin

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Posted 18 September 2006 - 12:56 PM

I am contemplating having the same front grill as you mate, any chance i can have a close up of the front of your car please?

Cheers

#12 Russell

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Posted 18 September 2006 - 01:45 PM

hope this helps

Attached File  closeupfronta.jpg   113.46K   4 downloads

#13 BenMcMin

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Posted 18 September 2006 - 02:36 PM

How easy is it to put ont he chrome surround mate? it goes all the way under neath the indicators etc and how is it held on?

Cheers for fast reply - i'm just getting into that mini scene and weighing up my options.

#14 Russell

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Posted 18 September 2006 - 03:55 PM

well this is how i did it, not sure if anyone else will be able to offer advice because its the only time i have done it!
none of the components are a simple replacement so its not quite a case of removing the old grille and screwing the new one on! The grille and surround go on easy enough, just hold them up, mark a few holes, drill, rustproof and screw!
the "moustache" bits which go under the indicators can be a bit tricky. I fitted the main surround first then put some masking tape on the body work and drew all the way round the moustache bits with a pencil. You then have to drill and screw 2 or 3 little clips onto the bodywork and then the chrome end piece slides over the clips (i found it helps if you dont screw the clips right up tight to the body work, if u leave them a bit loose so they can turn the chrome piece goes on easier). i found it a fiddly job but with a bit of patience they went on ok. few points to note tho:
1) for a grille exactly like mine you will need to sort out an internal bonnet release (minispares) or you can get a slightly diferent grille.
2) the later bonnets like mine (and almost certainly yours) have a metal lip on them to support the upper part of the standard grille surround. This needs to be taken off with a grinder or the spot welds drilled out to fit the mk1 grille.
regards
russ

#15 BenMcMin

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Posted 18 September 2006 - 04:18 PM

Cheers for info mate. I do really like your style front Grill, i have seen it on a few other cars.
I have a few ideas rolling around in my head about the front end, however this weekend i am going to be greesing nipples and fitting new dashboard etc :-

Asolutely lovely looking car mate




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