1535 replies to this topic

[2-alex-2]

this looked like a realy nice mini hope you get it back on the road soon and keep this one safe

[Bean]

Thanks! He will be back, better than ever!

And don't worry - He'll be safe!

[Spud_133]

Me likes Reggie!! The colour is simply the awesome!

[gwatkins15]

Always loved this car, only just realised you live in Malvern too. I'm in Worcester and have never seen it! Must be a show car

[Bean]

I used him mostly when I was living over in Hereford and at Uni in Loughborough - He's never been on the road since we've been in Malvern, lol

[Black.Ghost]

I have only reently found this, and have read it start to finish. All 101 pages. I started on the train on Sunday morning and have just finished (at work!)

It's been quite a journey you have had with Reggie! He always looked so immaculate in pictures, I had no idea you had had so many problems with him. Having read this there is only one answer to the question you had before - take the car to Scotland to be resprayed by the person you know and trust. It will be worth it and you won't be happy unless you do.

Good effort on teaching yourself so many new skills, you must be rather pleased with yourself! I certainly would be.

Reggie is a gorgeous colour though and it works really well with the black arches and wheels. Loving the new wheels, although not so much the size! Keep going with the hard (and good) work, it will all be worth it in the end. I'll be following the rest of this project!

I need to get round to starting mine, but being in Germany with Oliver in the UK is a right pain. A garage with no power, no ability to weld (knowledge or facilities) will probably result in more costs but I just want to get started on it!

[Bean]

Oh my goodness ... Marathon, lol!

I'm sorry for all of the spam you've had to wade through!


Thanks for the lovely comments - You're far too kind! I am proud of what I've learnt so far and will continue to learn more about him as I go on.

I adore this car and although there are many times I've contemplated selling him, (as he just constantly winds me up!), I will never sell him. A big part of my life in Minis and a huge part of my life with Reggie was getting to know my best friend, Pikey, who passed away last September. This car, even though he hated it for all the work he always had to do on it, reminds me of the time of my life, with a real inspirational man.

Reggie was the car that brought my other half and I together, too! We started talking because I had embarked on a rather daft project of doing the timing cover gasket on my own and got a little stuck with an engine mount! Since then, Reggie's taken me thousands of miles up and down the country to see him - even if he did break down nearly every trip!



That's quite a commute to get to your garage, lol. But it'll definitely be worth it when you do get started. With the welding thing, if you can get some power, just get stuck in - My welding's not great, but I've not practiced frequently enough, but it really is great fun! - And you'll have such satisfaction when you put some metal back in!

[Black.Ghost]

I had no idea about Pikey, I'm sorry to hear that. Was he the guy who died at the Ring? Either way, that's tragic.

I can see why he is so important to you! Don't under-estimate the work you have done.

As for the welding, I am tempted, but from what I've seen of Oliver, the welding looks to be tricky bits that I don't want to screw up. I want him to last! I'm buying another mini for general use for a bit, do I think I will practice on that when Oliver is done. I'll look into it though. Could save a fortune - or cost me twice as much in panels when I ruin them!

Oh yeah, and the spam was mostly quite entertaining. Some awesome pics as well, which is the other thing I want to try. I just need a bargain camera deal now.

[Bean]

No - He died suddenly at work in China back in September. I miss him like mad.
But my Mr's been so lovely & supportive. Pikey was the reason we met, so he means a lot to us both.
I know it sounds silly, and a lot of people will say "it's just a car". But to me, he isn't!


If you know anyone who can weld, see if you can practice on some scrap metal and see how you get on with it! If anything, it's great fun! But it is very daunting .. especially when you keep blowing holes in the floor, lol!

And, the photography is great! Minis are just incredibly photogenic though - so they make for some great photos.

[Spud_133]

I hate welding! But I do agree minis are very photogenic, even more so when they look as lovely as Reggie

[Black.Ghost]

I think my brother in law can weld, but I know he is very busy at the moment. It looks like I will be taking a week off at the start of April and me and my brother will strip it completely, have a look and see what needs doing. I'm strongly considering getting him dipped, to get rid of everything and see where I stand then.

I'm going to see if I can get myself on a decent little welding course through the Army in the near future. Or maybe spend a weekend with one of the REME guys. A crate of beer goes a long way

As for Minis just being a car, that's just not true, everyone on here knows that! Oliver has no where near as much sentimental value to me as I imagine Reggie has, but I still wont sell him.

Again, sorry to hear that about Pikey - I didn't see anything on here about anyone dying, I had no idea.

Have you made any more progress with Reggie yet? <------ Back on topic after the waffling

[Bean]

Went back to see Reggie, today!

We've now removed all his glass and his headlining. It was Soooooo saggy, lol



Anyway, so we decided it was probably time to remove the rear subframe, so we can start to strip them down and send them away to be shotblasted and powdercoated. I already have fully built up radius arms & brake drums ready for the back.





So, we started to take it off. Now, I've read some horror stories about taking the rear subframe off, so was a bit worried. But luckily everything came off perfectly! Really, really pleased!




So, not sure what I was expecting underneath ... but I certainly wasn't expecting this!!







Spotless!!



Happy Days!! !!

[bcjames]

One of my happiest Mini related moments was finding the heel board perfect after removing the subframe subframe looks pretty good too!

[Bean]

Very happy, indeed!!

The subframe is certainly very solid - We tested that with a hammer!

Will know more once it's totally stripped, but from what I can see, all looks very good indeed!


Need to send this and the MPi front subby off to be coated, hopefully sometime next week.



Oh - and another small update - I've bought a full set of GAZ adjustable shocks!

[Bean]