Checkmate

[inny1300]

that's what we like to hear good luck regard's jon

[firebirds_rock]

So the list of stuff so far:

- Find and fix mystery Oil leak
- Repair leaking Thermostat

- Replace both inner sills
- Replace both corners of the scuttle panel
- Replace parts of both front foot-wells
- Patch old roll cage mounting holes
- Grind back numerous small patch's of rust

Enough to keep Me going, but I'm sure I'll find more

For reasons both financial and practical (I need a car going for getting to University, since public transport is slowly killing me), I'm going to hold off on any major magnifications (Vis-à-vis engine, etc) for the moment. Just get it on the road for now

[firebirds_rock]

New year and a new look...... well it is for the Mini anyway proper work has finally begun, battling the rust it's just a shame that College starts next week, it will start taking up all my time again..... but I think now I've made a start and a good dent in the amount of work to be done, I'll be able to keep working away in my little bits of free time and hopefully have it on the road by the Summer ............. maybe

[AdyP]

I find a lot can be accomplished with loud music, endless cups of tea and jaffa cakes and no small amount of swearing.

Good luck with the project mate.

[Owen]

When I was building my car, Jaffa cakes were essential too. Discovered something though ... when I was using the Mother's garage, she would bring out tea every 45 mins or so. If you put tea down on anything metal, it'll go stone cold in seconds.

I'm hopefully starting a classic restoration this year having never ever done it before, so I'll be keeping an eye on your project. Plenty of pics please!

[firebirds_rock]

Yes thats a good idea, I'll take some pics tomorrow and I haven't had this much Tea in a long time, I will have to put in a request for Jaffa cakes

[inny1300]

Hello James,that is great news on starting the rebuild and even if it is a camera,it's well worth taking any shot also it is handy on the wiring side as well if you can't remember the way the wires go back it paid off for me (a few times) and try and get the double pack of jaffa's better value last longer,talk soon jon

[firebirds_rock]

Well heres a few pics of the major areas of body work that I'm tackling at the moment


This was covered in fiberglass..... there was more or less no metal left underneath it


This side was abit better.... but there was alot of filler


I found this when I decided to take out the passenger side rear window because I wanted to check a questionable looking bit of rust.... the hole was full of filler.... lucky me


I found this when I was playing with the dash..... it was also full of filler.....


Passenger side inner sill was taken out today as a well aimed screw driver would go straight though it.... luckily the outer sill is still solid


This is the outside of one of the mounting plates that were put in when the Mini at some point had a roll cage..... I think having this done to it is the main reason why its so bad in places.... the different mounting plates were badly installed and have lead to some of the rust since they are full of holes... and as you can see they didn't finish them on the outside at all, more work for me to do to pretty them up abit


And now the worst bit.... the drivers side sill is gone straight through inside and out (a well placed finger will make a new hole in some parts) and the door step is gone in places too.... so shall require a complete replacement...... its scary to think that I was being towed home in this.... if I was hit from that side me thinks I would have died horribly..... ahhh well

[MiniMpi]

You have your work cut out for you there(pardon the pun!).
Great feeling to resurect a lovely Mini though so it will be brilliant to get it done

[firebirds_rock]

well its already had its cut out of me..... caught my finger on a piece of metal and without even realizing it there was blood everywhere .......but yes there is alot to do, I just hope that I can get it all done to a half-decent standard..... but I think at this point it is a labour of love.... I can't wait to get it on the road

[MiniMpi]

I've never done a job on any of my Mini's/MINI's that haven't taken blood from me!!!

[Si]

You got your work cut out there

Updated your first page of pics

[Bawnee]

A Vampire Checkmate, what name are you giving your pocket rocket? That's an ambitious project, looking forward to following it!!

[alanmorriss]

I'm hopefully starting a classic restoration this year having never ever done it before, so I'll be keeping an eye on your project. Plenty of pics please!

[bomber01]

Hi James ,
you sure have a project on your hands there but if you put the effort in it will be worth it.
If you need information on how to convert to the bmw k1100 head give me a pm.
but it really more suited for the 1275cc engines.


john