102 replies to this topic

[dan_w]

So this is where the fun begins.

Picked up my first mini on Friday and I have caught the bug already. I have a funny feeling this won’t be my last mini. I began stripping at down and assessing the project in hand over Sunday and Monday. A bit of background about me, I have never really worked on cars that indepthly before, a few minor things like breaks and the odd service here and there. So I am sure I will have my work cut out.

Here are a few pics of the car before the big strip down.





The plan is to get the car looking nice and clean I want very little chrome and to go along the racing look I have seen a few minis on here with, one that really sticks in my mind is Tomf 's car, now that is just the look I want.

After stripping down as much as I could I have a nice long list of things to be done along with working out the issue I have with the engine. I believe it just needs the carb setting correctly but I won’t know this until I have a good play around. The engine starts first turn and ticks over great but as soon as you put your foot down it just dies.

The previous owner has fitted a stage one kit then not driven the car so as before it looks like he has just chucked the new carb needle in and not made any adjustments fingers crossed anyway.













Now I have the car semi stripped down I can gather my thoughts and work out a plan of attack. The Mini is in good shape really there is no real structural rust and the subframes are in good nick. The main list of jobs is as follows.

Tidy body work, Loads of small rust bubbles on the body work, a small hole in the inner sill, the rear bumper is completely shot and a load of other minor imperfections that will need to be prepared before spraying.

Find and fix fault with engine along with a general service.

Replace brakes (disks and pads).

Build new dash and redo the whole interior.

Remove bumper seams front and rear.

Possibly change the boot. (I just can’t make my mind up about it. Some times i think it looks great, others is hate it) well only time will tell.

Upgrade suspension. (The rear looks a little high at the mo)

Paint subframes, engine, waxoil under car and then a full respray.

I am sure there will be many more things to come in the near future but I don’t want to bore the pants of you just yet. lol.

Will update with progress ASAP.

[Dom]

Welcome to the world of mini ownership

[clubby]

hye dan_w

welcome on board mate

good luck and all the best

[analogue_radio]

Hey & welcome I wish I could strip mine down and start again! best of luck!

[Down&Out]

welcome i think i saw this on ebay.. so goo luck

[dan_w]

Mini-Chelsea: Yep your right it was on ebay a couple of times, went and had a look and made the guy an offer but he wasnt interested. Any way bid for it on ebay and no one else did so got it for less than i originally offered. Result.

Did a bit more work on stripping it down today got the arches off and began to strip back some of ther paint work around areas that need working on. I didnt get a chance to get any pics but will update after the weekends work. Plus its pay day today so a shopping trip is in order.

[Down&Out]

well mine was an ebay bargain too so there will be lots of suprises im sure good luck

[mk1leg]

Hi..looks like a good project you've got on your hands.............

[dan_up850]

welcome to the mini forum mate, looks like a nice project there, innocetti boot lid and very wide!!

[Down&Out]

youv made me decide to get an inno bootlid

[dan_w]

So the boot is called an 'innocetti' then I haven’t seen one before I take it some of you have then? Im still undecided

Back to the job in hand, I had a blinding weekend and got quite a bit done.

Doors are all stripped down, windows out locks and handles off.


As before arches are off and a bit of sanding back around rust areas.


All wiring removed along with switches and dials.


Some of the engine bay has been stripped a little: radiator out, wiper motor and washer bottle/ jets etc out, Alarm out along with distributor and coil etc.


Interior wise the heater is out and I have treated the surface rust in the passenger foot well with 'krust' ready to patch the small holes.


Its seems its all the small jobs when stripping the car down that seem to take the long time and never look like your getting that far.

Anyway if I can get out there during the week I think I will tackle a bit more of the engine. Remove things like the starter alternator etc. Then once that’s all done I need to make a serious start on the body work.

[Retro_10s]

if you ever come to sell that gear knob,... i'm your man

[Down&Out]

and if you ever come to sell the bootlid.. im also your man

[dan_w]

Mini- Chelsea: If I decide to sell the boot dont worry you will be my first point of call. I am still undecided I think i will have to wait untill i have a few other bits done first like removing the rear bumper seam. I am sure that will give me a better idea of what the rear will look like.

Retro-10's The gear knob will defo go at some point. So if your serious its all yours.

[Down&Out]

thankyou matey i think it would look pretty cool on your car.. stick a chromey light on there and you'll be laughing