209 replies to this topic

[Shifty]

No pictures at the mo so you'll just have to take my word for it!!

Well I've been busy today!!

The structural welding is now about 95% finished, just need to finish off a few little bits and weld in the seat crossmember and it done.

I was thinking about replacing the Scuttle however Heritage ones are out of stock for 3 weeks so thats that out of the window!

Also had a milestone.............removed the bracing bars that have been stopping the car from folding in the middle for the last months.

Trial fitted the new passengers door and it will fit well with a few tweeks.

Next up is grinding back the welds and seam sealing. Then a quick coat of shutz underneath.

I hope to have the front end on this weekend and then start preparing him for paint.

Next up is painting the underside and properly fitting the rear subby.

[daemonchild]

I'm not really looking forward to the heelboard as it looks an utter pig, will wait till 1've done the boot floor and valance so I've at least got a referance point to try and align it off.

A quick question if may mate?
I *may* have to do my heelboard depending on what it looks like when I enlarge the holes in the rear 1/4 panels.
Is this the right way to go then - fix the boot floor and valance and then worry about the heelboard?
Can I get, um, heelboard 'ends' in case I bust the subframe bolts for example?

Good progress fella.

[Shifty]

Yup, you can get part panels from hadrian(or similar)

Replacing the heelboard is a pretty big job and I wouldn't have done it unless I had too!!

It depends how bad the car is, the important thing to do is not rush in and grind everything off, you'll have no referance points to align the new heelboard off.

I did it the way you suggest, I then used the seat crossmember as my referance point for alignment.

If your heel board isn't rusty and has just got the bolts sheared in it then I'd repair rather than replace anyday.

[Shifty]

Ok then, i've been busy again.

Heres the pics from yesterday




Step sill spotwelded in place



Floor seamwelded and the brace bars removed!!



The lower part of the rear bins were rusted out so I fabbed up some repair panels



How much welding?!!!



Seat crossmember welded in, not a great fit but with a bit of trimming and hammering in she went!!

I would have had more done but was called away to fix a machine, DOH!!

I've reached a decision on the colour as well, not saying anything yet but its gonna be '70's retro cool!

Tomorrow its finish of the welding, also need to get a new bottle of gas!!

Seam seal/anti rust primer as well.

Sunday should be front end day, really looking forward to that(apart from getting my pattern parts to fit!!)

Edited by shiftyseamus, 01 May 2009 - 05:10 PM.

[Joloke08]

Ok then, i've been busy again.

Heres the pics from yesterday




Step sill spotwelded in place



Floor seamwelded and the brace bars removed!!



The lower part of the rear bins were rusted out so I fabbed up some repair panels



How much welding?!!!



Seat crossmember welded in, not a great fit but with a bit of trimming and hammering in she went!!

I would have had more done but was called away to fix a machine, DOH!!

I've reached a decision on the colour as well, not saying anything yet but its gonna be '70's retro cool!

Tomorrow its finish of the welding, also need to get a new bottle of gas!!

Seam seal/anti rust primer as well.

Sunday should be front end day, really looking forward to that(apart from getting my pattern parts to fit!!)

Ha ha
Me n Sam were at Shifty HQ today and we know his dirty little secret
we have been sworn to secrecy on the colour but what we can say is will will come and help you stick all the big bird coloured fake fur on the dash door panels and roof lining

The colour of the body is.......
Now that would be telling but Barbara Cartland would love it

Huggz
Jodie

[daemonchild]

Yup, you can get part panels from hadrian(or similar)

Replacing the heelboard is a pretty big job and I wouldn't have done it unless I had too!!

It depends how bad the car is, the important thing to do is not rush in and grind everything off, you'll have no referance points to align the new heelboard off.

I did it the way you suggest, I then used the seat crossmember as my referance point for alignment.

If your heel board isn't rusty and has just got the bolts sheared in it then I'd repair rather than replace anyday.

Winner! Thanks. My 'critical path' on my project plan is coming together now in a very favourable way!
(I want to practice my welding in the boot where no-one gets to see it!! lol)

[Shifty]

Glad to help!!

I've still been busy, just not taken any pics.

I've spent 2hrs today fitting an A panel(love pattern parts!!)

The front panel is 1/2 too far to the right as well, oh well will keep me busy tomorrow!!

More updates to follow!!

[freemini]

Wow some serious skills mate. Looking through this makes me want to repair my rusty old mini. Shame ive never welded befor let alone cut panels away lol.
Look foward to seeing some more pictures.

[jwb_moto]

Good work sean, Ive got a nice set of mkII lights that would sort your shell out a treat LOL


you doing l2b?

[Shifty]

Cheers James, chqs in the post!!!

Not doing the L2B sorry, other commitments, DOH!!

Done a bit, not finished the front end as it was a *poop poop* fit and I lost my temper with it!!

2 Hrs to shape and fit an A panel!!!

Grrrrr

Anyway

New door on and started to fill



The floor with anti rust primer and some shutz, how good does that look?






And the colour........


BLACK TULIP!!!

its a dark '70s purple, thinking about a silver roof as well.

Groovy baby!!!

[Racer_Pete]

Looks like its coming along well Sean! 2hours on a pattern a-panel, no expense spared I see . Black tulip is a loveely colour, would look really good with a silver/black roof
keep it up mate.

[HARBER07]

Just had a full read! Top stuff Shifty . I gave up on my O/S A-panel after about half an hour . Just kinda bashed it on to get done for L2B .

[Shifty]

Well what a milestone!!

Spudnik now looks like a mini again.

I have finally fitted the front end, only took me about 20hrs, I knew I shouldn't have bought those fake pattern parts off the bloke down the pub!!

Seriously they have tried me, still am now happy with the way they fit and he looks good.












I've got to get my skates on as he's booked into COVICS for the final prep and paintwork to be done in JUNE!!

[GreaseMonkey]

Looking great Sean

[Shifty]

Not updated this for a while, but man have I been busy!!!

I decided that I didn't have enough work to do so thought that stripping the body back to bare metal would be a good idea!!



Mk1 light conversion has gone!!



Doors stripped



Pulled the dash out, I knew he had a homemade loom but it looked a nice tidy job so I wasn't bothered, till I saw this!!!



New loom methinks!!!

I'm gonna fit him with the proper mk3 loom and switches as well, so its not a bad thing.........hmmmm....more work!!

De lipped the bonnet for the Mk1 grill



I'm very tempted the smooth over the bdage mounts and have a smooth bonnet, what do you guys think?

Also painted the rear subby



On a bit of a deadline now, hes going to COVICS for paint next Tuesday!!

Busy busy busy!!!