Hi all, mini restoration underway
Discussion
Hi all,
I have been reading this forum for some time and have really enjoyed seeing a couple of the DIY restoration projects that are under way.
We currently are restoring our 1993 Cooper SPI but as I have zero skills in the way of welding, painting, fabrication we have had the car put in the hands of a recommended expert. I won't name the garage as I am not sure on the rules with regards to naming but needless to say we are really excited to wait for the car to come back.
There isnt a great deal wrong but the usual rust had appeared under the rear quarter glass and very little sleswhere. The car had the dreaded oversills so new sills are being put in and some work to the floor too.
The wiring is being replaced but this is posing the problem as nowhere appears to do complete looms for the SPI, this is somewhat making me think converting to carb would be a good move as I don't trust older injection systems anyway.
The car is being stripped bare and will be repainted in its original red, we have taken the choice to remove the old black screw on wheel arches with a similar style (not wide) that screw underneath, these will be colour coded with the car and the wheels are being restored but painted white.
One key thing was that the front subframe was actually split! WE had only had the car a few months and bought cheap but with full history and MOT etc but the subframe was split so that is being replaced. How it passed an MOT like that is another question but it had clearly been split for some time (but the car still handled nicely!)
Really can't wait, ticking down the next 2 months and looking forward to doing some more meets this year.
I bought the car in a state of drunkardness, we had been to a classic steam rally when a Morris minor was presented for sale. I had always wanted one but the other half was having none of it, she then said she loved the minis. A few beers later andI was back at home, reading autotrader in the bathroom when I found our mini and bought it as a surprise gift (this was my excuse for not getting shouted at!).
I will post photos once we have them.
I have been reading this forum for some time and have really enjoyed seeing a couple of the DIY restoration projects that are under way.
We currently are restoring our 1993 Cooper SPI but as I have zero skills in the way of welding, painting, fabrication we have had the car put in the hands of a recommended expert. I won't name the garage as I am not sure on the rules with regards to naming but needless to say we are really excited to wait for the car to come back.
There isnt a great deal wrong but the usual rust had appeared under the rear quarter glass and very little sleswhere. The car had the dreaded oversills so new sills are being put in and some work to the floor too.
The wiring is being replaced but this is posing the problem as nowhere appears to do complete looms for the SPI, this is somewhat making me think converting to carb would be a good move as I don't trust older injection systems anyway.
The car is being stripped bare and will be repainted in its original red, we have taken the choice to remove the old black screw on wheel arches with a similar style (not wide) that screw underneath, these will be colour coded with the car and the wheels are being restored but painted white.
One key thing was that the front subframe was actually split! WE had only had the car a few months and bought cheap but with full history and MOT etc but the subframe was split so that is being replaced. How it passed an MOT like that is another question but it had clearly been split for some time (but the car still handled nicely!)
Really can't wait, ticking down the next 2 months and looking forward to doing some more meets this year.
I bought the car in a state of drunkardness, we had been to a classic steam rally when a Morris minor was presented for sale. I had always wanted one but the other half was having none of it, she then said she loved the minis. A few beers later andI was back at home, reading autotrader in the bathroom when I found our mini and bought it as a surprise gift (this was my excuse for not getting shouted at!).
I will post photos once we have them.
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