5 replies to this topic

[LGW809G]

Hi All, 
 
I'm a long time lurker on TMF (on an old account) and learned quite a lot over the years from the fondly remembered Taffy1967. His articles are still useful to this day. 
 
Anyway, after years of saving up I have recently bought my first Mini, a 1992 1275cc Sprite with 27,000 on the clock, fondly nicknamed "Doris" my by young lad  
 
She's far from a show winner and needs some work, but I'll update this thread as often as I can with hopefully steady progress.
 
Here's a couple from the day we picked her up:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by LGW809G, 10 March 2023 - 01:42 PM.

[MrBounce]

27K - don't get many with that low mileage!    Looking forward to seeing the progress with this 

[LGW809G]

We've had "Doris" for about a month now, here's a few bits we've been on with: 

 

A proper wash & polish up. Also added roof gutter trim to tidy things up a bit 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New "wing" badges front and back. Added chrome GB badging & a new chrome boot lock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, a new chrome rearview in place of the plastic original:

 

 

 

 

All pretty basic stuff up to now but I'm pleased with how she's coming along. Next things on the list are a new alternator as it's started to squeal under load and hunting for a new interior. The front spots don't look to be wired up, but will probably be removing them and fitting a standard grille with a spotlight bar. The internal bonnet release handle has decided it no longer wanted to be attached to the car, so have a new one of those to fit too. Watch this space 

Edited by LGW809G, 10 March 2023 - 02:27 PM.

[stuart bowes]

That's funny I was just about to say I like those spots in the grille, thinking of putting that on mine instead of having any visible brackets or bars, I prefer the cleaner look

 

each to their own obviously

 

looks like a nice tidy car though sure you'll have plenty of fun with it

[LGW809G]

Seven month update.... 

 

 

 

Apologies for the lack of activity, it's been quite a busy few months since I last posted here. Thought I'd share some photos of what we got up to with Doris over the summer. Four or five shows and a few random photos from out and about. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also decided to take her on holiday as the main car when we had a weeks break away, so bought a roof rack. That was good fun. We did over 500 miles that week without issue. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now for the not so good bit - Come MOT time, it became evident that the MOT the car had wasn't a very honest one. In the space of 12 months, it had gone from one advisory for a slight oil leak to a long list of structural issues. This has meant the strip down and restoration has begun a lot sooner than planned. It is currently undergoing a load of welding to hopefully get her back on the road in a safe condition. Watch this space... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by LGW809G, 26 October 2023 - 12:19 PM.

[coopertaz]

looks lovely car sorry to read the last bit, best of luck with the work. looks just like 1994 sprite i had before i bent it, still think red is the best colour for a mini.