1990 Mini Cooper Resto & Lows!

[Minuki]

It's my birthday soon, so I decided to treat myself and the Mini to some goodies.

I've dealt with DSNclassics before and they are a really great supplier. They shipped one of my huge panels to me in one day! Can't ask for much more than that. They do a "Retrosport" range which is basically some very tasty billet alloy parts Didn't have much to spend, so I just bought some little parts along with another panel that I needed.

I bought a "Bonnet rear lift kit" which just lifts the rear of the bonnet it a little. It's been proved not to do much, but I think it looks pretty cool.
Also got some "Rear handbrake quadrants" which are just guides for the handbrake cable.

Some pics from the site(I'll get more once they arrive)

[ZUBZ]

Coming along nicely mate....

[Minuki]

Coming along nicely mate....

Thanks dude.

My order was shipped today, should be here by the weekend.

[Minuki]

Got a really good day on the Mini. Really happy!

My alloy bit from DSN Classics.



I was working on my doorstep last weekend and completely ruined it. I decided to order a new one instead of mucking around and trying to fix it. So, with some help from my Dad, I got it done!

Doorstep off after drilling the spot welds and some grinding.



Dad putting some holes in the new doorstep for the welding



After a bit of tweaking, we finally managed to get a good fit





Partly welded





And partly ground down



I'll be finishing off the grinding tomorrow

[Minuki]

I've had an absolutely wonderful weekend. Being it was my birthday, I got lots of nice stuff and best of all, my Dad helped work on the Mini! Probably the best present I could ask for.

Got a big job completed yesterday, engine removal. I didn't really need to do this, but since I have a mint subframe waiting to go in, I might as well just get it done. It makes welding the panels on easier too...but i'll get into that later.

Brought the engine crane up from my Papas house as there's not really anywhere to store it at ours.

After disconnecting all the pipes/wires etc, we attached it to the engine.





And after a couple of minutes later....it's out!









Had to get the drive shafts out which meant splitting the upper and lower arms, but I had to attack one of the bolts with an angle grinder!



That was all yesterdays work. Now I have to strip and clean the engine and make sure there's nothing obvious broken. A good lick of paint will be going on too!

After the engine out, it gave us a lot better access to the panels we needed to replace. First up was the inner wing -

The replacement panel



The offending, rusty panel! A right state.



Half way out



Then came the labourious task of grinding all the spot welds, so that we have a good surface to weld to.





Almost all cut out



And, nearly in the right place! Just a few little tweaks here and there.





Whilst we were inspecting the bottom of the floor where the inner wing attaches, we found some rust and poorly bodged panels. So, I've ordered new floor panels and they should be here by Wednesday

[sCrapp]

damn thats nice work..

[Sabertooth]

Amazing work so far! You really turned that mini around.
I'm real interested to see how this is going to be finished so keep up the great work.

[Minuki]

damn thats nice work..

Thanks dude!

Amazing work so far! You really turned that mini around.
I'm real interested to see how this is going to be finished so keep up the great work.

Thanks man. Shouldn't be too long before the welding is finished!

There will be another update later in the week probably.

[NeilP]

looking really good! Can't wait for more pictures!

haha

[Minuki]

looking really good! Can't wait for more pictures!

haha

Thanks Neil.

Update at the weekend!

[SwanginLikeAGranny]

This is lookin great! My father has a few minis that I have done some body work on.

Are you planning on refurbishing the minilites?

[FunfGang]

Awesome and inspiring work!

[AustJ]

looks great!

[deutschman]

Wow really nice work so fare! I really love Minis. They are the car that got me into cars even though I have never owned one. My first obsession. I still have these little guys left from that time.


Subscribed!

[egstance]

Keep up the amazement!!