11 replies to this topic

[Sir_Swish!]

After years of searching my late mum's Mini is back in the family, by sheer accident it was found in a container by a friend. It was supplied with nothing more than a damp logbook and some old BSA tools in the battery tray.

 

The previous owner had stripped the car to a shell with plans to restore it, but stopped after only replacing the outer sills and rear valance. To give myself a fresh start with the car it was sent for shot-blasting and here are the photos of what came back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will be tackling the rebuild myself and will update as and when I can. 

Edited by Sir_Swish!, 11 March 2024 - 10:43 AM.

[coopertaz]

shame someone tried to blob weld it together that is sketchy, lots of work to cut out but at least normal places decent project,

[Sir_Swish!]

It's suffered years of MOT repairs. If the blob welding wasn't bad enough, there are panels on the inside of the floor pans that had been glued on

[stuart bowes]

blimey I thought my welding was amateurish lol

[Sir_Swish!]

blimey I thought my welding was amateurish lol

 

I've read your project thread and your welding looks great.

 

But you're right, it doesn't look like much care has been taken on mine. I suspect most of it has been poorly prepped which is why it's dissolved after blasting

[stuart bowes]

Well .. I spend more time grinding than welding sometimes.. and you don't see all the pictures lol but cheers

 

I guess you'd start by bracing up and replacing the whole floor (one of those ones with external sills fitted?) plus new boot floor, get all the alignments right and that'll be a solid place to build up from 

 

I saw someones build recently where they did that using plumb lines to measure out the subframe fixing points, that seemed like a good approach

 

have you got a spit, I wish I did

Edited by stuart bowes, 11 March 2024 - 11:45 AM.

[Sir_Swish!]

I've just looked at Moss and found a complete floor, the price is eye watering but it doesn't look like any part of the floor is saveable, so it'll have to be.

 

I don't have one so I'll make one once I get the courage to start the floor 

[sonscar]

Just console yourself with this thought...without those type of repairs it would have been scrap thirty years ago.Enjoy your project,Steve..

[bpirie1000]

At least you know it will be done right this time.. get an industrial box of cutting/ grinding discs.

[stuart bowes]

without those type of repairs it would have been scrap 

 

fair point

[Designer]

What a great story and a great project and from the sentimental point of view. I am sure when it is finished Mum will be looking down with pride and joy at your restoration.

[slidehammer]

Good luck with the project. I think a complete floor would be the neater option and easier in the long run. Shop around for parts as your TMF Membership gets you discount at Mini Spares. I use M-Machine for a lot of the body panels I buy (give them a try)