Barn Find,,, ok, yard find :-o

[Chops]

Well, through a good mate of mine, I have become the owner of a Mini Deluxe (998)

She's in a bit of a mess, been sitting here for a long time, but, as with lots of things, I hope to be able to do her up, restore her back to life again. She's got a bit more rust in her than I'd like, but being a bit handy on a welder, I'm thinking I can cut and shut it all out.


The inside is actually in pretty good nick, all the seats, bar the very top of the back seat are all solid, so even if the material is not good, and I have to get them recovered, they'll have an easy job with it. The floor mats are all cactus, no biggy really, and all the glass is there and intact. All the rubbers will have to be replaced, and I guess with all the lights, when I get power to them, we'll see how that goes. Lenses are all good, bulbs and wiring will all have to be checked and replaced as necessary.


I believe the motor was rebuild not long before it was parked due to a fluid suspension problem, so hoping for a clean-ish bill of health there.
The floor at the drivers door/floor is very rusted out. Fortunately for me, Mini parts are still widely available, and along with that, you can buy virtually every body panel part required.


I'm looking forward to stripping her down ( ) and massaging her back into shape,,, should keep me off the streets for a while.

[johnharte]

Absolutely love it...

I want one of these mini's!!

Love to be kept up to speed on the resto

[cuppabillytea]

Absolutely bloody grouse. Let us know if you're starting a thread on it.
well done Markus.

By the way our horse Charley, remember him? He's racing at Canterbury on Monday, oh yeh today, Race 4. He's called 'Guest Appearance'. His form has been the stuff of Dog food but the race is 1900, which we reckon will suit him just right. He's drawn Barrier 4 so at 50 to 1 Reckon it might be time for a little flutter.

[stealth]

My sister had a 1969 Morris mini back in the early eighties. I used to borrow it occassionally. Loved driving it and everytime I see one (which is not too often these days) I think to myself it would be great to restore one like you are doing Chops. Got a few too many other projects infront of that though.

[loanrangie]

I bought a 66 850 mini in 1986 out of the trading post for $250 with 6months rego, drove it to Mt Buller one weekend and it dropped a valve just outside of Yea.
Sold to mate of my Dad's who owned a mini workshop in Mitcham who made into into a race car - wish i had kept it.

[gromit]

Looks like you've got your work cut out Marcus but should be fun when it's finished.

I learned to drive in my Mum's Austin Seven Mini (April 1960 build !). I wish we'd kept that one but it rusted quite badly in the UK winters, then it lost all the water one night and with no temperature gauge.......fitted a new head gasket but it never ran the same afterwards.

Colin

[Chops]

Cheers guys. I will start, or have a thread on its rebuild, just have to work out where it will belong.


Chris (rangieman) came over today and helped me get her off the trailer and in the shed,,, A Big Thanks Chris "D. So whilst we were at it, you inspect things, as you do. I was right about the rust, the front drivers floors almost fully gone, but on research its only about $125 for a new floor section, new sills about $75, bonnets a bit more, around the $400 mark.
It'll add up for sure, but its not going to be done overnight anyway. I'm looking forward to stripping her down, putting her on a rotisserie and getting into it. But that won't actually happen for a few weeks at this point, just too much on my plate right now.

[Mick_Marsh]

I wish I could find one like that. I reckon it would cover the dead patch in my lawn perfectly.

I'm sure I have a bonnet somewhere.

[Chops]

I wish I could find one like that. I reckon it would cover the dead patch in my lawn perfectly.

I'm sure I have a bonnet somewhere.

I reckon mine would fit like a piece in a jigsaw puzzle ,,,,, rust holes/bits and all.


PS, don't stress about the bonnet just yet.

[cafe latte]

If it has been in long grass for any time at all it WILL need a rear sub frame most minis do.
Chris