Mini rebuild and rally build

[Arwel]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

Finally have worked out how to upload photos again.

Anyway, progress has been slow with getting married and I sort of bought another rally car...another old one of mine as it goes. Its a stage prepped Fiesta St so the poor mini has not had much attention.

There is a plan in place for that to change so the mini has my attention as the Fiesta will be looked after by a friend who has started his own business. However the mini has been finished underneath, its not pretty but it'll be a rally car at heart so i wanted it to be practival rather than pretty.

Next job is to sort the bulkhead and fabricate some new shock mounting plates for the front before it can have all new front panels and be closer to actually getting the body prepped for paint.

[Arwel]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

Thanks for the support guys. Im getting married in June and was hoping to have it ready for then but I was way too optimistic.
Progress has been slow but I'll keep churning away.
I'll have some updated photos this week now.

[beeRS]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

Looking forward to seeing how this one has progressed.

[donnie]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

Hear i was thinking you ran out of Argon, keep it up as it will be a blast and we’ll done as it’s not as easy as people think

[Arwel]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

I've been really slow with updates but a lot has been going on. I'll get some pics soon and do a little catch up.

[stevieturbo]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

I've had mine around 30 years...I get it. But I do realise mine is just beyond sensible repair. Plus for a Mini project, I'd love to do a van

[Arwel]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

This was proper bad and if it wasn't for daft sentimental reasons then it definitely would have been a re shell haha

[stevieturbo]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

That looks as rusty as mine !!

Don't think I could be convinced to try and repair it though. It'd be easier to get another shell

[Arwel]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

Thought I would try the driver door since the passenger door fitted tidy. Well happy to report that the driver door also fits like a glove too.

I've spent a couple of hours today just cleaning up the boot floor in preparation to repair it and cleaned up the rear panel around the window and the parcel shelf. I've got a little repair to do on the rear passenger wheel arch which will tie in with the boot repair. I've got the driver side rear wheel arch to repair and a few small repairs on the rear panel and then I'll be ready to spin it back over and protect and paint the underneath. Once that is done, it can come off the spit onto some stands and I can get cracking on the front end.

[Arwel]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

Im using a Clarke 135TE Turbo that I've added a regulator to so it can run the big gas bottle. It does the job well in all fairness.. no doubt there are better welders out there, but for starting out, its ideal.


Got the rear quarter on today. Lots of faffing about as it it just wouldn't sit properly but we got there in the end. Still plenty to tidy up and finish off before I can move onto the boot floor. The main issue I need to over come is that this has been de-seamed previously so trying to tie everything in is a bit of a challenge but I have a plan, which mean more fabricating but I'll get it done.

I also tried the door on for the first time since putting the new floor section, sill and door step in. I was very pleased with how it fitted so hopefully the driver side will fit the same haha.

[steeplejack4]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

Good job your doing there!
What welder are you using and gas? Thinking of buying one myself and having a go on my escort.

[Arwel]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

Cheers mate, it’s been a massive learning curve but I’m getting there. I enjoy the welding part quite a lot, it’s all the cutting, cleaning and shaping before hand I’m not a fan of haha.

There’ll be plenty more updates as we go along.

[onecamohv]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

jesus thats some commitment for someone that hasnt welded panels before! hats off, nice work - keep the updates coming

[Arwel]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

Finally got the floor piece, inner & outer sill fitted today. Door step next then the heel board repair panel, rear arches and then the quarter panel.

[stumpy]

Re: Mini rebuild and rally build

i do love a mini gt two projects in the shed atm wich i will prob end up selling tho as just dont get the time between the other projects