[se7enmvu]

Just thought i'd share some pics of my Mini project.

I took her of the road last Jan and got her MOT'ed in October

A pic of her before with my ZR

A pic of her leaving to be re-processed after welding

Back after reprocessing

In primer

Getting ready for her MOT

and in the Lakes over Christmas

 

[Ex Tester]

Looks OK but why didnt you leave it original it looks better to me in the condition it was built in. Sorry if that not what you wanted to hear !

 

[se7enmvu]

I agree that it looks better in its original colour scheme, but that picture was taken when it was 7 years old with its first signs of rust which the colour hides quite well.

When I took it of the road last january it was looking less well, it was rotten even though i'd kept on top of the cleaning and waxoyl it was to late. It was leaking water through the scuttle, the drivers side sill, rear wheel arches and boot floor were holed. As well as various other scabs.

Mechanically it was top notch and in the two years it was on the road it covered just over 24k with only a faulty starter motor failing it.

But as I hope to keep it for life and i'm only 23 I thought i'd change colour for a bit until the next rebuild is needed.

As I think it has a bit more class in the original volcanoe, the arches are going back to body colour though as I was never convinced that they would work in white.

I think that when they go green it will more stock which should improve it alot.

Here's couple of pics of her in switzerland July 07

 

[Stiff]

I am extremely jealous. One day I will own another mini but for now cash is too limited

I like the new colour, but I think it would look better with the arches painted too.
And the fog light needs to go!

 

[se7enmvu]

I know what you mean about the lights, my first mini I had the lights on and off every few weeks.

But this one was a Rover demonstrator so has had a lot of extras fitted from new so I think it would be a shame to loose them.

I would also need a new grill, as the lamps have left four shiney circles behind them where they have protected the grille.

 

[Ex Tester]

AHA !!! now i see !! In that case, great job on saving some heritage. It was in a sorry state, rot and rust wise, always said if i had one i would strip it and fill every available exposed orifice with waxoyl before putting it back together again.

Body colour spats will look far better IMHO !! White works with red and BRG !!

Great to see another "real" Mini saved from the scrapyard in the sky !!

 

[Stiff]

I would also need a new grill, as the lamps have left four shiney circles behind them where they have protected the grille.

I didn't the front fogs! I love those! The rear one. That little silly red box just hanging there.

It's an easy job to wire up one of the reverse lights as a foglight :broon:

 

[se7enmvu]

Sorry wrong end of the stick, I quite like the rear fogs though hence why I have two.

It would look cleaner with out them, but I think it would be difficult for todays dozey drivers to tell when your braking with the fogs in the rear lights.

 

[se7enmvu]

Body colour spats will look far better IMHO !! White works with red and BRG !!

Great to see another "real" Mini saved from the scrapyard in the sky !!

Yeah i'm not a fan and should have put my foot down with the body shop.

I'm also not sure of the bonnet stripes and such being black but no one makes them in the creamy white.

I'll never send a mini to the scrap yard!

 

[Benny Dub]

looks lush mate. Is that an Italian Job sticker on the boot? I'm going this year

Really should get my mini sorted. The rear subframe's rotted through and it's a bit ratty all over. Could do with a good respray (and new engine - 45bhp is NOT cool )

You gonna be going on the Italian Job again at all?

cheers
Ben

 

[Limecat]

Love the new colour! Mini's are so cool.

 

[se7enmvu]

looks lush mate. Is that an Italian Job sticker on the boot? I'm going this year

Really should get my mini sorted. The rear subframe's rotted through and it's a bit ratty all over. Could do with a good respray (and new engine - 45bhp is NOT cool )

You gonna be going on the Italian Job again at all?

cheers
Ben

It wasn't the official job but the crumball rally which had an italian job theme.
I do want to do thee proper job but i've never got round to it.

What type have you got?

 

[Benny Dub]

It wasn't the official job but the crumball rally which had an italian job theme.
I do want to do thee proper job but i've never got round to it.

What type have you got?

cool man. The proper job this year is gonna be awesome as its the 20th anniversary run.

Mine's an '84 mayfair with sportspack arches and a cooper interior and a few other bits and bobs. The bodywork's surprisingly solid, just needs a bit of paint, but the rear subframe's rotted through. I'm hoping to get my hands on a k series subframe and whack a vvc in there

cheers
Ben

 

[davehob]

Rebuild

Hi se7enmvu
I've got an 98 Sportspack which needs the same major surgery that you've done and was wondering how much the total build was if thats ok?
Thanks in advance Davehob.

 

[Cabriomatt]

Hi se7enmvu
I've got an 98 Sportspack which needs the same major surgery that you've done and was wondering how much the total build was if thats ok?
Thanks in advance Davehob.

Bloody hell! Dave haven't you finished that yet? It been ages since you took that off the road!

 

[davehob]

Bloody hell! Dave haven't you finished that yet? It been ages since you took that off the road!

Sorry but you must have me mistaken with someone else I've only just joined this forum and only just taken my Mini off the road.

 

[MGR_Petrolhead]

wow I really want a mini :jealous:

 

[MetroMartin]

Nice mini, interesting restoration pics.

like the pics in the alps too!
I've driven to the Alps a couple of times but sadly in a Zafira DTi. The whole journey thinking I wish I was driving my Metro!! lol

 

[Peterover]

Am longing to get another mini, Have had five in my time including an Innocenti Hatch.

Is it me or does the later 90's minis seem to have EVEN worse rust proofing then earlier cars?

 

[Benny Dub]

Am longing to get another mini, Have had five in my time including an Innocenti Hatch.

Is it me or does the later 90's minis seem to have EVEN worse rust proofing then earlier cars?

the last ones were literally thrown together. My mum bought a 51 reg cooper sport brand new with about 4 miles on the clock. Went to take it to somerford minis to get it waxoyled and they said it would've failed an MOT on quite a few points.

Wheel bearings had loads of play in them to the point that they considered it dangerous to drive.

And on the rust proofing front; anywhere you couldn't directly see (underneath/inside of arches etc.) it just wasn't painted.

This isn't just a one off either, my dad has spoken to a few owners of 2000 reg mini's who have had the same problems.

Such a shame, as if it was built well it would be an awesome car.

cheers
Ben