23 replies to this topic

[mk3 Cooper S]

96 SPi

Rob

Blimey They don't make 'em like they used to do they.
This is my scuttle on a 76 car, windscreen removed for the first time in about 20 years. Its solid throughout. I was pleasantly suprised.

The windscreen seal was also different on earlier cars which helped too.

[v21ash]

Sorry to gatecrash this thread but i'm in the process of doing exactly the same as you Daverob, does anyone know what the distance should be between the top and bottom seems of the windscreen? I meant to measure it before cutting everything out.
I've rebuilt the bulkhead, fitted new dash rail and have started welding the scuttle in so i would rather find out now if i've got the distance wrong rather than wait till it's painted.
The gap i have between the inside edges is 415mm almost all the way along then drops off to about 410mm nearing the corners, as i had nothing original to work off i'm a little weary.

[DaveRob]

I just measured mine and in the midle its 415 sneaking to 410 at the corners......

Rob

[v21ash]

Phew, that's great thanks, i'll carry on welding.

[DaveRob]

Just a little update... progress bit slow due to work pressures but got a little more done this weekend.... so from the rusty bit in the first pics we are now at...

Trial fit both sides

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Then get on and fit one side complete

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 DSCF1051.jpg   83.63K   25 downloads

Should have the other side on one evening this week wether permitting

Ive replaced all the rust by welding in a new dash rail and scuttle... finished the scuttle with closing panels and replaced with new metal in the back of the door hinges and round to the air vents... All the shock mounts areas have been replaced with new metal .........any bare metal has been etched and then metal preped and stone chipped.... Just the one wing left to get back on now... They dont fit perfectly...lol so a bit of 'adjustment' was required on all the panels.... I trial fitted the front sub so that I could get the front panel alignment right... as Im not the keenest person in the world on bodywork Im quite pleased with the results... Their is a couple of bits on the last wing that I just thought....stop now or Ill just screw it up... lol.... so time for a beer and revisit it tommorrow...

Thanks for the interest and feel free to point out if I need to do anything different.....Im just learning

Rob

[day101]

looks like your doing a great job mate

[edi57]

It's looking really good, should last you years as you are doing it properly.

Are the non-genuine panels you're using? If so, who supplied them?

/- Ed

[DaveRob]

All panels are supplyed by M Machine..... TMF discount also lol.... I think the only gen panels are the top dash and the scuttle...

Rob

[DaveRob]

OK time for a little update......... \from the begininhg this was a rusty shell.... Its been a heartach really as I only wanted to do an engine upgrade... this is being detailed in ,my other thread in the Injection specific section as its a 100HP rebuild and has only been delayed by this body work delay... so the story so far.

Page 1 shows the rust.... and their was way more to be found. Its all cut out now and Mini has a new top dash rail.... scuttle, closers, wings, front panel and new A pannels...... also fixed the shock mounts and the drivers floor... along with the drivers sill and a patch in the passenger side floor........ so much welding..... Ive also cut the wings to clear the 12*6 wheels with the new sportspack arches...... Mini now looks like this

 DSCF1096.JPG   1.25MB   23 downloads

flat back tommorrow then some base and laquer.... after that Im putting the engine back in before I finish the rest cause wheeling Mini about 'wheelbarrow' style is BLOOMIN heavy goin.... lmao

Rob