Tim's mini...intro....
Discussion
Hi there - , new to this forum but looks like its full the like minded. I'm Tim from Bristol, married , one kid , 2 cats , 1 dog, skint and work in insurance, more interestingly - my mini has been a garage queen for the last 5 years, in my defence a child popped up on the way and a small matter of the house needing total renovation - excuses excuses.
She's basically an applejack 1980 city - 50k from new, no welding or rust and was owned by the proverbial little old lady until the guy I brought it from ruined it - cooper stripes & roof in white primer, tatty Mayfair interior - you get the picture he'd also had a christmas pressie of a crimping set and a shiny pair of wire cutters that he was itching to play with.....
Not a complete & total moron as he'd acquired a nice set of wolfrace slots (very '70's but differentiate the car from the Mr Bean mini) when gremlins hit the electrics he gave up & sold it to me.....
I've given it a new rear subframe and new front floorpans - doubled them up as originals were getting a bit thin - but aside that a really solid car - cooper a la spray can stripped back nicely too. My time has not been totally wasted however as car was always going to be on a budget so I've snuck a garage full of tasty bits & bobs in,(mainly by raiding rural Somerset scrappies that has yielded - for eaxmple a 295 head £3, "S" brakes & servo £20 (my conscience troubled me for all of 5 seconds - he thought they were 8.4"set up - happy days!) under the nose of the Mrs.... Now is the time to get cracking on it - I haven't done a mini for 15 years so it'll be fun....
but I'll be asking some daft questions of the better informed..... will post my desired spec shortly (I have 99% of the components but input always appreciated! - more anon!
Cheers
Tim
She's basically an applejack 1980 city - 50k from new, no welding or rust and was owned by the proverbial little old lady until the guy I brought it from ruined it - cooper stripes & roof in white primer, tatty Mayfair interior - you get the picture he'd also had a christmas pressie of a crimping set and a shiny pair of wire cutters that he was itching to play with.....
Not a complete & total moron as he'd acquired a nice set of wolfrace slots (very '70's but differentiate the car from the Mr Bean mini) when gremlins hit the electrics he gave up & sold it to me.....
I've given it a new rear subframe and new front floorpans - doubled them up as originals were getting a bit thin - but aside that a really solid car - cooper a la spray can stripped back nicely too. My time has not been totally wasted however as car was always going to be on a budget so I've snuck a garage full of tasty bits & bobs in,(mainly by raiding rural Somerset scrappies that has yielded - for eaxmple a 295 head £3, "S" brakes & servo £20 (my conscience troubled me for all of 5 seconds - he thought they were 8.4"set up - happy days!) under the nose of the Mrs.... Now is the time to get cracking on it - I haven't done a mini for 15 years so it'll be fun....
but I'll be asking some daft questions of the better informed..... will post my desired spec shortly (I have 99% of the components but input always appreciated! - more anon!
Cheers
Tim
Hi Tim, You'll probably find most of the answers to your daft questions by seaching my own old threads as I have probably already asked them, and more besides!
Be prepared for skinned knuckles raggy patience, grit in the eyes/nails/belly button etc an take your time, you'll appreciate the finished article more.
It's also best if you don't try to get married/move house/rebuild new house/have bairn/change job during the rebuild (there speaks experience)
Enjoy.
Be prepared for skinned knuckles raggy patience, grit in the eyes/nails/belly button etc an take your time, you'll appreciate the finished article more.
It's also best if you don't try to get married/move house/rebuild new house/have bairn/change job during the rebuild (there speaks experience)
Enjoy.
Don't forget the antiseptic hand cream for when you get 'Mini Spanner Rash' - a common complaint with us Mini-freaks.
Good luck with the restoration. It sounds like a good base to start from.
There is plenty of help and very friendly advice and some banter on here, so welcome. Don't be worried about asking what you may feel is a silly question. Such questions are never derided and we do all try to help to keep Minis going, and when possible, going better than when new.
Good luck with the restoration. It sounds like a good base to start from.
There is plenty of help and very friendly advice and some banter on here, so welcome. Don't be worried about asking what you may feel is a silly question. Such questions are never derided and we do all try to help to keep Minis going, and when possible, going better than when new.
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