1991 Mini - Project Trig

[Mini 360]

So I ordered a LOAD of bits during the week and the only bits that arrived were the speaker grilles and hinges! They turned out to be too big to stick on the front of the dash but thankfully my dad had an idea.....

I took the grille...



I cut the centre out of it.....



I took a spare chrome ring for the gauges that I had and checked for fitment....which was perfect for the diameter of the hole!



and then after a tidy up of the grille, sandwiched it between the back of the dash and the speaker!





So it looks in keeping with the rest of the dash and functions! Glad I didnt fit the dash before thinking of this now!



Also got the aerial fitted onto the screen and wires tucked etc.

Got the hinges, two were seized so had to split them and free them up/unclog the paint they had been heavily coated in



painted up on the washing line!



and done ready to go!



Should get them fitted to the doors tomorrow and then if my folks are about, get the dash and doors in!

[Mini 360]

Anyway seeing as I had time to build the car tonight, I got on with the wiring and dashboard.

Beautiful, still evening, radio on, no distractions. Great!



Got the majority of the wires tucked and secured behind the lower dash rail. Only wires remaining are for the aux gauges, head unit and main gauges.



Got my dash built up, complete with speakers in the eyeball vent holes seeing as they no longer have a place on the car!



Having to drill holes in a mad expensive dash was not a pleasant experience but needed to be done! Found some short screws in an assorted box we have collected over the years. Handy to have!



Then, rather annoyingly, the dash needed a few spacers glued onto it to fit the gauges, which are supposed to fit into the shaped dash perfectly.......but thankfully it wasn't a big issue.



Fairly worked though!



So dash built up, just need to buy speaker grilles and a new radio!



Oh and mums been busy again!



Should get the dash fitted up tomorrow if its another nice evening!

[Mini 360]

Did more work on this yesterday. Got the speakers all wired up and wires hidden beneath the carpets and a rogue trapped wire leading through the roof channel removed.

No pics of the wiring as well...its hidden but did make a start on my radio antenna. Originally the car had a front passenger wing mounted monstrosity that was a huge rust trap. I got the hole smoothed off before paint and I had this window stick on one from when it was last on the road. It works great. Stick it to the front screen and then lead the aerial/live wires around the window seal. I will paint over the red writing before it goes in though.....



With the speaker wiring done we got the parcel shelf in and speakers mounted. Not doing a fancy install as there wont be much point with the noise the car creates. Standard speakers will do the job fine.



Also rewired my courtesy light wiring after i discovered this lovely bit of work....



Unshielded wires with some sort of metal clip used for a join. So safe! Properly done now and insulated.

Got the rear window seal into place. Left it to form to the apperture overnight and will get the window in tonight hopefully. Back to work now so its evening and weekend garage time once again!

[Mini 360]

Little bit more done today.

With some modifying and fabrication, got the number plate mounted. Drilling the new plate was not something I was looking forward to doing but thankfully it went well. The bumper would have gone on but one of the brackets had rusted through so its now in the bin and I need two new bumpers!



Got the sun visors on after poking around with a pin looking for the screw holes.



and thats about it! I got some radio loom wiring done but spent the afternoon watching the looooong Monaco GP this afternoon! Off tomorrow so will get more done then hopefully. Got a pretty big shopping list again so time to bash the credit card again.

[Mini 360]

Awesome work with the plate, Andy. Clean.

Where'd you get your plates done? I want some for the E36

Guy on eBay churning them out for £20-25 a pair mate

God damn that thing is beautiful!

Thanks!

[Unit01]

God damn that thing is beautiful!

[Minuki]

Awesome work with the plate, Andy. Clean.

Where'd you get your plates done? I want some for the E36

[Mini 360]

Forgot to update this last night so here it is before I get todays work done!

It was a REALLY hot and sunny day so the toys all got out to play!



Went about fitting the windscreen fillet. The tool for this is around £15 so instead of that i modded an old coat hanger onto an old hand file. Worked a treat!



It went in eventually after leaving it in the sun and plenty of car shampoo water!



and that meant I could get my heavy duty wipers on! I did adjust the drivers side after I took this, dont worry...



And whoever said Minis are low......mine doesnt seem to be at the moment!



Two great engines but totally different beasts!



I got some rear dor bin liners from my parents as an early birthday gift. Will wait until the door cards are in before fitting as they are going to need a bit of modifying around the arch due to them being tubbed.



Got my new plates delivered too! I already had the Trig ones for shows but fancied some pressed metal 100% legal ones for day to day running! For the price of them they are great quality!



But me being me.......I didnt want to drill any holes in the front one for a cleaner look. So I took my old front plate, scuffed it up and painted it satin black....





I had already drilled some counter sunk holes to fit a couple of counter sunk allen head bolts....



and then with the paint dry, it was fitted to the car and then the metal plate fitted with number plate pads on the back. Clean look thats still removable if need be. Devils in the detail!





Got my rear view mirror fitted after I had broken it down for cleaning and polishing.



its as shiny on the back metal plate as it is on the glass.



Painted up my sun visor brackets before I get them fitted today with their new alcantara covers....satin black to be low key until i source some chrome replacements.



Given i have sportspack arches i need shorter bumpers. They are £50 each so Im going to try and cut mine down to fit for now.



I also got my internal boot release cable fitted up. Looks a bit rough but it will be getting carpeted over with a boot board so you wont see it in the end!



We waved off Iona and driver on their journey to the Thistle Run. Wish i was going too but it wasnt meant to be!



And with that days work done, we finished off with a BBQ before I went out for the evening. Good progress of little jobs, that seem to take an age to complete!



Today its wiring up the aux gauges, radio and possibly even get this dash fitted!!!

[Mini 360]

It's looking great! Seen your build on TMF as well.

Thanks!

Just want to chime in and say that I've really enjoyed watching this build progress. Keep up the great work!

Thanks its good to know someone is reading my ramblings

Looks fab!

Since I've had a polished stainless steel shift knob, I also changed the heater knob back in the days. I went' to a hardware store and got me a closet door knob, which looked similiar. Maybe a touch you could think about, regarding your glove box knob. Would look ace for the heater as well.

Good idea! Might have to look into something like that!

what an amazing build!

I own myself a 1991 City E also. I'm still rebuilding it, but is not as awesome as yours!
Did you still have the standard 998cc engine?

Thanks! It could be with enough time.....and money haha! Yeh still got the 998cc but its got a destroyed crank end thread and now a broken 1275cc gearbox. BE good for a rebuild project down the road though......

Oh, I love this!

impressive work!

Man, this is so legit

Thanks gents!




More work done on it toda with the help of Greig again!

First up, windscreen in. Took a while and a bit of haridryer heat required but we got there! Didnt get the locking strip in as it was far too cold and the rubber was very stiff. Try again tomorrow if weathers nicer!



He was very happy with our achievement...



Then we wired up the radio, and it doesnt work. Time to upgrade then.......

We built up the passenger door and then got the drivers door fitted. Fits ok but needs a shim on the bottom hinge I think to bring it up perfectly in line with the shoulder line. Good to get it on though!

Again Greig was enjoying himself fondling the inner wing.....



Finish = epic!





Inside looks not too bad either though



And then got this too! Some light bedtime reading ahead......

[244Brick]

Man, this is so legit

[a3 german]

impressive work!

[MikeyRa]

Oh, I love this!

[jgpeggeman]

what an amazing build!

I own myself a 1991 City E also. I'm still rebuilding it, but is not as awesome as yours!
Did you still have the standard 998cc engine?

[forloveandglory]

Looks fab!

Since I've had a polished stainless steel shift knob, I also changed the heater knob back in the days. I went' to a hardware store and got me a closet door knob, which looked similiar. Maybe a touch you could think about, regarding your glove box knob. Would look ace for the heater as well.

[Rally]

Just want to chime in and say that I've really enjoyed watching this build progress. Keep up the great work!