Mk1 Mini Cooper S restoration

Mick Annick · Nov 27, 2021

bert said:
I've done a surf blue sports pack. My favourite by far.

View attachment 321188

Better than no mini at all I suppose!

Edward Teach · Nov 28, 2021

I much prefer a Mini with 10 inch wheels,
Suitably lowered, cambered and castered, 'S' brakes and wheels.

Onoff · Nov 28, 2021

Is there any limit to the number of Likes you can use on here? I fear I may run out on this thread alone.

Bobupndown · Nov 28, 2021

Mick Annick said:
Mrs A has not forgiven me for selling hers, but rot was appearing everywhere - this was our second new Rover mini - they replaced the first one under warranty as the paint fell off in sheets. They offered a respray which I declined, as it was coming off underneath as well as where you could see!

It's a real shame they didn't protect those last minis properly they really are the rustiest of all made. Ours was fastidiously looked after but there were signs of paint bubbling on the door skins and around the front panel headlight seams at only 3 years old.

RWD3M · Nov 28, 2021

Bobupndown said:
It's a real shame they didn't protect those last minis properly they really are the rustiest of all made. Ours was fastidiously looked after but there were signs of paint bubbling on the door skins and around the front panel headlight seams at only 3 years old.

Wow, that's bad. Our '97 is just starting to show some signs of rust now (front end of the sills and front panel - to be expected there I suppose) but as it does start to go I won't be chasing my ar5e around fixing it, it'll be getting a new shell!

Bobupndown · Nov 28, 2021

RWD3M said:
Wow, that's bad. Our '97 is just starting to show some signs of rust now (front end of the sills and front panel - to be expected there I suppose) but as it does start to go I won't be chasing my ar5e around fixing it, it'll be getting a new shell!

Youve done better than most take it its not daily driven any longer Not? Not a cheap option either!

DuncanCallum · Nov 28, 2021

Nice cooper 35.

Surf blue is lovely but so is dowton blue.

I had a sky and if I do a new car from scratch I'm going for a twist on that.

Old English white she'll.
Downton blue roof, subframes, tank and engine block/head

Grey interior trim

Sorry for the derailment

RWD3M · Nov 29, 2021

Bobupndown said:
Youve done better than most take it its not daily driven any longer Not? Not a cheap option either!

To be fair, it was quite well looked after ptrior to our ownership but the wife drives it all the time. Not in winter mind!

A new shell is not the cheapest option agreed, but it is by far the best if I want the car to last. Also, the most fun to do!

bert · Nov 29, 2021

Reshelling normally works out cheaper than restoration.

99% of classic Mini's need about 80% of their metal replaced anyway during restoration so taking labour costs into account reshelling normally works out 500 to 1k cheaper.

minimutly · Nov 29, 2021

Endaf Owens has been making cars for racing from scratch, seems to be viable. Don't know how he does the continuous seam welding?

arther dailey · Nov 29, 2021

bert said:
And an almond green and whiteView attachment 321189 View attachment 321190

classic , but I see what you mean about the blue !

Bobupndown · Nov 29, 2021

Anyway.....
Sorry for de railing your thread, so easy to go off on a tangent talking about minis.
How's the restoration going?

Onoff · Nov 29, 2021

bert said:
I've done a surf blue sports pack. My favourite by far.

View attachment 321188

That a Webasto on top? Had one on my MK2 Capri. Had the opaque, smoked "glass" deflector you pushed up from inside that always dropped backed down at speed.

Loved it...leaked like a sieve mind.

bert · Nov 30, 2021

It is a webasto but the electric version. The cooper S has a manual webasto with the smoked deflector.

I repainted both rear quarters and one front wing and today finished polishing them up.

Just out of the gun.