Mk1 Mini Cooper S restoration

[Onoff]

I remember a mate de-seaming one years ago. Reckoned it reduced the frontal area by something approaching 2 sq feet.

So a windage/drag thing?

 

[Popcorn]

Like this

 

[Westfield-builder]

Yes, more aerodynamic he reckoned. Slightly less brick-like

 

[Westfield-builder]

My mate did it an inch at a time, moving from corner to corner, around the car. Seem to remember him adding gussets inside and brazing it.

 

[striker]

I recall, In my "How to modify your mini" book by David Vizzard, he quoted that it decreased the frontal area by 40 square inches!

 

[Popcorn]

When I did mine I cut about 5 inches of the seam down then welded it up, then left 5 inches and repeated. All the way down then went back and did the bits inbetween.

 

[Bobupndown]

Not a big Mini fan etc but with the seams are they chrome trimmed?

Vertical seams front and rear painted. Sills and wheel arch trims are chrome effect - unless the old metal trims which, are like hens teeth, are in reusable order.

 

[Bobupndown]

Love the re assembly of a painted shell. Just putting those lights in makes a lovely contrast to the new paint.

 

[bert]

Assembly is going well, both subframes are in, hydro has fluid in It and the wiring harness is in. This evening I fitted some wheels and put her on the floor.

 

[Bobupndown]

A lot of new parts going in there that's gonna be a big bill!

 

[bert]

Yeah it will be, still less than the car is worth.

The car arrived without most of the bits so there is no option other than to fit new.

Sometimes it's cheaper to fit new than to refurbish.

 

[RWD3M]

Is that destined to be a trailer queen Bert?

Ooh, I've just noticed the little drop link on the steering column. Reminds me of a mate of mine fitting one way back in the late '70's. What he didn't do was loosen off the rack and rotate it a bit when he did it. By all accounts a slipping steering wheel at 50mph is quite scary!

 

[bert]

Nope not a trailer queen but driven on nice days. Most of the cars I do are to this standard and none are trailer queens or garage ornaments.

 

[RWD3M]

Nope not a trailer queen but driven on nice days. Most of the cars I do are to this standard and none are trailer queens or garage ornaments.

That's good. Just what I like to see

 

[bert]

Back in for the daily grind and more parts are being fitted. Some interior parts. Still waiting on the new seat covers.

 

[bert]

And the engine got painted the correct shade of green and slotted into the sub frame. I still have the rocker cover to paint.

 

[bert]

Still bolting stuff on.

 

[minimutly]

And the engine got painted the correct shade of green and slotted into the sub frame. I still have the rocker cover to paint.View attachment 323239View attachment 323240View attachment 323241View attachment 323242 View attachment 3232433

3 synchro 'box......

 

[bert]

I don't know, the customer supplied it built so I didn't take it apart

 

[Bobupndown]

Looks totally amazing