38 replies to this topic

[greg_84]

Hi to all mini enthusiasts! I'm a newbie here and need to make a little presentation!

I'm 40 years old and have had a lot of different Mini during the past 22 years.

I still have some, as a 1993 Rover Mini Seaway, a 1979 1100 Mini Special (BMW K head engine in progress), a 1300 Innocenti Mini Cooper (waiting to be restored) and a 1974 Mini 1275GT.

Here is the GT when it arrives home


Looks not too bad... but I will have some surprises!

A+ engine, from an Inno 120


So, I decided to make a whole restoration and started stripping the Mini


And of course, found some rust in usual places










So, I emailed Somerford and few days later, received some parts


Front subframe, not too bad


Now powder coated


Rear subframe is...rusty!


So, found a new one, much better


Back from powder coating, with some other parts




Rear arms, waiting to be fitted



And some other parts, back from being zinc plated


During this time some work done on the bodyshell ... more photos to follow

[Retroman]

Welcome to TMF

 

You have made some really good progress with the 1275 GT. Surprised it needs so much metal to be replaced, I have a Tundra Green '74 GT which needs a lot less, which in our climate is a surprise, that said the boot floor is like a tea bag its had no boot seal for a long time.

  You have done the right thing re powder coating and galving too

 

1974 was a key year for the 1275GT, last year on 10 in Rostyle wheels / 7.5 inch discs / Servo / S master Cylinder and the very last year any Mini was fitted with a boot board

By 1977 they were quite different under the bonnet and from the outside

[minimissions]

Welcome to TMF, I like the sound of your collection, but this GT looks a great project good luck with it and keep the pics coming..

[1293gt]

Quite a bit to do there but a great looking project well underway!

[greg_84]

Thank you guys! Some more progress on the bodyshell:

 

Ready for work on the "rotissoire":

 

In order to start with the metal work :

 

 

 

Doors are from another Mini, the one on the GT were severely rusted and damaged

 

Bonnet and boot lid needed some work and filler!

 

Not far from being painted now, in Red Flame BLVC61

 

During this time, I'll have to work on the engine!

Edited by greg_84, 29 November 2018 - 01:06 PM.

[greg_84]

Welcome to TMF

 

You have made some really good progress with the 1275 GT. Surprised it needs so much metal to be replaced, I have a Tundra Green '74 GT which needs a lot less, which in our climate is a surprise, that said the boot floor is like a tea bag its had no boot seal for a long time.

  You have done the right thing re powder coating and galving too

 

1974 was a key year for the 1275GT, last year on 10 in Rostyle wheels / 7.5 inch discs / Servo / S master Cylinder and the very last year any Mini was fitted with a boot board

By 1977 they were quite different under the bonnet and from the outside

The car has spent a lot of time in a field, without any protection... Perfect for rust installation! And you're right, my 1974 GT has 7.5 discs, boot board, servo, etc.

 

Welcome to TMF, I like the sound of your collection, but this GT looks a great project good luck with it and keep the pics coming..

Thank you! 

 

Quite a bit to do there but a great looking project well underway!

Thx!

[Vinay-RS]

Welcome! This is a lovely build. You're making some great progress with it :) 

[cooperd70]

Great project. The GT was my first car (I believe that car is now resting in peace, unfortunately), but as a 20 something back in the day you bought an old banger, waited for it to rust before your very eyes (mine was already riddled) and then scrap it and replace with a 'new' old banger. Wish I'd have kept it until I was earning enough to restore it! would love another one. Keep us posted with the progress :)

[greg_84]

It's time to do some work on the engine, with some improvements.

 

As you can see, engine block needs some cleaning!

 

First, I start with some mathematics

 

It is now back from machining.

 

Standard pistons won't fit, so some adjustements are made:

 

Engine nicely coming along

 

Inno / Leyland conrods

 

After some work done :

 

Before going on with engine assembly, some more work on the block

 

Now, it's time to bolt on new shiny parts!

 

Now, it's time to work on the gearbox, so wrapped the engine

 

And made some mods on the exhaust (TIG welded)

[Jase]

Loving the skills

[Retroman]

Looking good that shell is transformed, nice work on the engine too

[greg_84]

A bit of update

 

Underside has been done

 

And next step is... black roof! I know that roof must have the same colour as the body... but I love it black!

[greg_84]

My GT is going back home ...

 

 

 

 

[greg_84]

A bit of update!

 

 

 

[Bobbins]

Looking good