x18xe powered mini convertible rectoration project

[brian008]

hi all

I am starting a mini restoration project.
the mini shell is 1985 mini convertible.(i think spirit)
i swapped it for a 95 BMW 316i (delighted with the swap)
i never got any papers with the car but i know it is an english reg.(nor reg number)
the shell was not even a rolling shell( it was a bare shell)


Plans for the restoration.
body

body is going to be metallic black with chrome finishings

body needs full respray inside and out
cills need to be welded. ( new ones were half fitted when i got the car)
few patches sanded down and filled.
sent soft top in to get repaired.
find some doors. ( if any one has some please feel free to contact me )
upgrade front breaking system to disk bakes.
new suspension all round with high lows.
find seats for the mini
and ............ too much to list really

i was donated a 1997 vectra 1.8 16v to the project by some guy named paul . the only good thing about the car was the engine and box. the rest was in bits.

Engine bay

cut front end off the mini
removed sub-frame
starting to weld new sub-frame tomorrow
ordered 4 new mounts
send new sub-frame in to get sand blasted and powder coated
i have removed the vectra engine and wiring loom
sorted out the wiring to the engine (not my strongest skill)

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i will put up pics when i can figure out how????

[brian008]

[IMG:1024:768]http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss135/broan008/IMAG0454.jpg[/img]
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[IMG:1024:768]http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss135/broan008/IMAG0449.jpg[/img]
the donated vectra
[IMG:1024:768]http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss135/broan008/IMAG0461.jpg[/img]
[IMG:1024:768]http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss135/broan008/IMAG0480.jpg[/img]

[MiniMpi]

Sounds like a very interesting project Brian

[irlmin]

Now that IS an ambitious project !!! best of luck and keep us updated .
G

[brian008]

got a bit done today thought i would start the sub-frame
[img][IMG:1024:768]http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss135/broan008/IMAG0499.jpg[/img][/img]

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[IMG:1024:768]http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss135/broan008/IMAG0458.jpg[/img]

[img][IMG:1024:768]http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss135/broan008/IMAG0456.jpg[/img][/img]

[brian008]

just to let people know i am going to try fit the engine in such a way that i dont have to extend the nose . its not going to be easy but i heard it can be done !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



well we'll see

[inny1300]

nice one it sound's a great project good luck,regard's jon

[brian008]

thanks Jon

i saw your project on here......

very nice

thanks again

[MiniMpi]

Oh cool as that is the norm, lenthening the front. Best of luck with it

[brian008]

Ive decided to buy a sub-frame for the conversion as its easy to fit and take a bit of the hard work out of if.I found a kit for about 210 euro including postage so thats not bad at all.

just waiting for Eric ( sub-frame designer ) to get back to me on when i could get the kit sent to me so i will start the rest of the car.

will keep updated with pics

[brian008]

this has nothing to do with this project but here is my 82 mini mayfair that i restored

[IMG:1024:768]http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss135/broan008/IMAG0205.jpg[/img]

[IMG:1024:768]http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss135/broan008/IMAG0214.jpg[/img]
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[IMG:1024:768]http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss135/broan008/IMAG0230.jpg[/img]
[IMG:1024:768]http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss135/broan008/IMAG0232.jpg[/img]
[IMG:1024:768]http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss135/broan008/IMAG0233.jpg[/img]

[brian008]

but unfortunately it never stayed that way cos i got bored one day and chopped the roof off it. i made 1 small wrong cut.oops. i am now using it to restore the other mini. so sad ...............................

[inny1300]

Hi Brian,thank's for the remark's about the Inny,i had her for over 21 year's now and done very well this year on the show/and run scene over here in Ireland,any way enough with my story,your own sound's great and using the other car as a donor for spare's you are making two in to one so to speak is an even better idea the part's are getting hard enough and dear enough to find,and there are a good few expert's on this site to hopefully,if needed put you in the right direction, if needed ,regard's jon

[brian008]

Thanks Jon

well id say i would need some help at some stage, and i will keep you in mind .
well thats why i hung on to the mini for 3 years waiting for the right project mini to come my way .......... and low and behold it came

i am very eager to get this one done as i miss i old mini and just mini's in general

thanks again

[brian008]

ok well i did some more research on the sub-frame that i was intending to buy and with that sub-frame i would have to lengthen the nose and i was hoping not to have to do that

So today ive cracked on with the building of the sub-frame.

will post some more pics tomorrow