mini questions
Discussion
Like Cooperman says, depends on your budget. Late cars seem to be a bit worse for rot than early ones, but that's subjective !! The better the shell the less time and money you will have to spend on restoration; check the sills, rear subframe and it's mountings, floors, door hinge panels, and scuttle area for rot. Anything post '84 will have 8 1/2 inch discs, but limits you to 12" or 13" wheels. Other than that they're all pretty much of a muchness.
On my previous mini's I have always modified the engine, and ignored the suspension setup. Now having had the suspension done, seeing and feeling the benifits for a relatively modest outlay, I would strongly advise doing the suspension first. Someone also told me a long time ago that the key to a quick car is to give it excellent brakes.
Once you've got the basics sorted the world is your lobster !!
On my previous mini's I have always modified the engine, and ignored the suspension setup. Now having had the suspension done, seeing and feeling the benifits for a relatively modest outlay, I would strongly advise doing the suspension first. Someone also told me a long time ago that the key to a quick car is to give it excellent brakes.
Once you've got the basics sorted the world is your lobster !!
phil hill said:
...door hinge panels, and scuttle area for rot.
This is sound advice! My current Mini has some nasty rot on the scuttle corners, and in the panels beneath them. I thought it would be a simple "weld in some repair panels" job, but it looks like it's a wings-off, a-panels, flitch panels marathon. Somerford quoted me £1500 to do this "properly" which is more than 3 times what the car cost me.
I would agree that the shell is the number one priority. Other than the scuttles, my current shell is sound. I will be replacing most other stuff - rebuilt engine, suspension, brakes etc. and this is all stuff I can do myself. Welding is something I've never done and is quite a scary prospect.
James,
Chris Spennewyn in Hitchin is the man to do your bodywork, as Dodgy Dave will confirm.
You can call Chris on 01462 711080.
If you are coming up this way let me know and we can meet up - see my personal email to you.
Chris & I both have a big trailer to collect Minis on, should that be needed, but you may have access to one yourself.
Phil is quite right in that it's much better to do the suspension and brakes first. That sorts out the speed through the corners, then you can look at adding some more straight-line 'grunt'.
Peter
Chris Spennewyn in Hitchin is the man to do your bodywork, as Dodgy Dave will confirm.
You can call Chris on 01462 711080.
If you are coming up this way let me know and we can meet up - see my personal email to you.
Chris & I both have a big trailer to collect Minis on, should that be needed, but you may have access to one yourself.
Phil is quite right in that it's much better to do the suspension and brakes first. That sorts out the speed through the corners, then you can look at adding some more straight-line 'grunt'.
Peter
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