Mini rebuild and rally build

[Arwel]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build



It’s taken a while but it’s nearly ready to have the passenger side panels welded in. Still bits to tidy up as the passenger side was in an awful state, 3 plate patches welded on top of each other in some places... we’ll get there though.

[Arwel]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

Just about finished cutting the rotten sills and door step out. A few little things need a repair before I can fit the new panels but we’re getting there.

[Arwel]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

Managed to get a little time to sort the garage a bit and make some room. Managed to get the new panels roughly lined up to see where I’m cutting so I can get cracking over the weekend.

[jimmy2006]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

make sure you try and test the door gaps when you are welding it up or you can loose the door gap with the shell going out of shape that will open up a big can of worms when you come up to fitting the a pannel to the front wing

[Arwel]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

Ohh tell me about it. When I initially saw it, I thought it wasn’t too bad. When I started going at it with a wire wheel, it just got worse and worse. I really do think it’s just the roof that won’t need major surgery. Before this I’d not welded anything other than an exhaust so it’s a massive learning curve but I’m getting there and the satisfaction when it’s all done will be well worth it.

[jimmy2006]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

looking at your car you have your work cut out but less you know its all your own work at the end of it and thats the fun part

[mexicotait]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

I’m on the lookout for a mini at the minute

Not that I’m anywhere near getting my escort finish

[Arwel]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

Most definitely...I would hate to think what I would have to spend if this was a mk2 Escort

[alladdin]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

good thing about minis is panel prices

[Arwel]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

Don't you just love two parcels full of panels being delivered. I should have everything I need here to get on with the passenger side so hopefully I can get in the garage this week and get cracking.

[Graham]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

cool, looks like you have your work cut out, nice to see something different too

[Arwel]

Hi all, I’m back after a few years away. Some of you may remember my previous builds, the 205 GTI rally car and a Fiesta St. I’m back now with not 1 but 2 projects. The first of these is this. It’s a 1985 Mini Mayfair that I originally owned for a brief period when I was 18. I sold it to a guy in Liverpool and I managed to track it down and buy it back in September 2019.

The car itself wasn't a bog standard Mayfair. It has a 1275 MG Metro engine and box, spax suspension, MG Metro 4 pots, 13" minilites and had been fully de-seemed. Now, all this was done before I originally bought it in 2005, add in the fact its been sat outside since 2006 until I re acquired it in 2019, its safe to say that pretty much everything needs to be replaced. Since its going to be re born as a historic rally car, everything will need to be replaced anyway so its a perfect base to start with.

The plan and the story so far is a full rebuild after finding copious amounts of rust, as you’ll see, and then building it as a historic spec rally car. I’ll let the pictures do the talking but so far it’s been fully stripped, the driver side sill/floor/door step has been replaced and the heel board repaired. Panels are on order to do the same on the passenger side and also replace the quarter panel.