Mini project

[RussellG]

Tonight I have made a bit more progress with the front end.


13/6/12.1 by russell.grant, on Flickr


13/6/12.2 by russell.grant, on Flickr

I need to decide on what side repeaters to fit and if I should fit them on the wing or a panel soon, anyone got any suggestions regarding this ?

[RussellG]

Not a lot ot see for Todays hard work, the shell currently looks like this


17/7/12.1 by russell.grant, on Flickr


17/7/12.2 by russell.grant, on Flickr


17/7/12.3 by russell.grant, on Flickr


17/7/12.4 by russell.grant, on Flickr

Just done an order for a load of parts, including a 6 point roll cage, wheel arches, number plate lamps, mirrors and lamps which may or may not be used as side repeaters

[RussellG]

I have also started to think about a clour for the car.

Maybe the following blue with a white roof and matching white wheels


perfect blue by russell.grant, on Flickr

Does anyone have any opinions or suggestions ?

[RussellG]

The first of my parts orders arrived today


19/6/12.1 by russell.grant, on Flickr


19/6/12.2 by russell.grant, on Flickr

Just need to figure out how to get it into the mini now and make up the strengthening plates for it

[RussellG]

camelotr said:

Not that hard as it looks like.
Been there done that.

Any advice ? Was thinking two pairs of hands and some ratchet straps. Need to perfect a method before the shell and cage are both painted.

[RussellG]

guru_1071 said:

a ratchet strap between the rear leg and the other side wheel arch one will pull it in enough to clear the b pillers.

Thanks that worked like a charm. I just need to line everything up and mark where the plates will go.

[RussellG]

Got some more new bits delivered today I didnt take photos of all the boring fittings and seal, but did take a few quick snaps

Wheel Arches

20/6/12.1 by russell.grant, on Flickr

Window mouldings & shell seam mouldings

20/6/12.2 by russell.grant, on Flickr

finally my weakness for shiny bits meant I bought these

20/6/12.3 by russell.grant, on Flickr

[RussellG]

Thanks I will keep that in mind

[RussellG]

Spent a full day on the mini today.

Started by rubbing down both doors inside and out. Then decided to position an test fit the mirrors before I removed the doors again.


23/6/12.1 by russell.grant, on Flickr


23/6/12.2 by russell.grant, on Flickr


23/6/12.3 by russell.grant, on Flickr

A couple of shots with the mirrors and window finisher strips in place


23/6/12.4 by russell.grant, on Flickr


23/6/12.5 by russell.grant, on Flickr


23/6/12.6 by russell.grant, on Flickr


23/6/12.7 by russell.grant, on Flickr

[RussellG]

Then I turned my attention to the roll cage. I test fitted the cage and marked the position for my strenghening plates inside and outside.

I ran out of time to weld in the plates properly yet but hopefully I can get them done tomorrow.

wheel arch

23/6/12.8 by russell.grant, on Flickr

A shot in the rear bin

23/6/12.9 by russell.grant, on Flickr

From the outside

23/6/12.10 by russell.grant, on Flickr


23/6/12.11 by russell.grant, on Flickr

I also added a mechanical safety lock to the front end but forgot to photograph this tonight.

[RussellG]

First order for today was a couple of quick pictures of the mechanical safety locking mechanism for my front end.


24/6/12.1 by russell.grant, on Flickr


24/6/12.2 by russell.grant, on Flickr

Then I welded in and blended in all the plates for the rear roll cage mounting. I didnt bother taking pictures of them all just a few quick pictures.


24/6/12.3 by russell.grant, on Flickr


24/6/12.4 by russell.grant, on Flickr

[RussellG]

Then finally for todays updates a couple of quick pictures of the rear section of the roll cage fitted.


24/6/12.5 by russell.grant, on Flickr


24/6/12.6 by russell.grant, on Flickr

[RussellG]

Another treat delivered today


26/6/12.1 by russell.grant, on Flickr

Its probably easier to show you what it does in a video than try to explain it

http://youtu.be/daca8DSxrV8

[RussellG]

miniman said:

Utterly pointless.

And awesome

That was my thought exactly

[RussellG]

Front Number plate bracket is almost finished now.


27/6/12.3 by russell.grant, on Flickr


27/6/12.5 by russell.grant, on Flickr

I just need to fit the front section of the roll cage next and weld in the strengthening plates then its on to fixing the boot lid so that the fit at the offside lower corner is a better fit.


27/6/12.2 by russell.grant, on Flickr


27/6/12.1 by russell.grant, on Flickr

[RussellG]

Just a small update tonight, front of cage is fitted now.


28/6/12.1 by russell.grant, on Flickr


28/6/12.2 by russell.grant, on Flickr


28/6/12.3 by russell.grant, on Flickr


28/6/12.4 by russell.grant, on Flickr


28/6/12.5 by russell.grant, on Flickr

[RussellG]

Got a bit more done to the car this afternoon.

Decided to have a look at the bootlid while waiting for some filler to dry elsewhere.

A bit of close inspection revealed rust on the inside along the bottom edge, so I cut the inner edge out to allow a closer look at the back of the outer skin. As I suspected it was fairly rotten an probably wouldnt be long before its showing through to the outside.

A few people recently have suggested that I need to do something to the rear of the car to personalise it anyway so I decided I might as well start now.

The rot

14/7/12.2 by russell.grant, on Flickr


14/7/12.3 by russell.grant, on Flickr


14/7/12.4 by russell.grant, on Flickr


Then a couple of quick shots of the outside before I set about it

14/7/12.5 by russell.grant, on Flickr


14/7/12.6 by russell.grant, on Flickr


Now a few work in progress shots

14/7/12.7 by russell.grant, on Flickr


14/7/12.8 by russell.grant, on Flickr


14/7/12.9 by russell.grant, on Flickr

I havent cut away anymore bad metal yet until I have the new structure securely welded in as I dont want to risk the boot loosing its shape.

Hopefully i should have a few more updates tomorrow night.

[RussellG]

This afternoon I focused most of my attention on the bootlid again


15/7/12.1 by russell.grant, on Flickr


15/7/12.2 by russell.grant, on Flickr


15/7/12.3 by russell.grant, on Flickr


15/7/12.4 by russell.grant, on Flickr

Eventually got it to this stage


15/7/12.5 by russell.grant, on Flickr


15/7/12.6 by russell.grant, on Flickr


15/7/12.7 by russell.grant, on Flickr


15/7/12.8 by russell.grant, on Flickr

[RussellG]

Bilkey said:

Hey, where did u get the remote control bonnet opener?

Cheers Bilkey

It's not a kit, it's all custom built.

[RussellG]

quattrophenia said:

I think you have a few potentional customers there! Keep it up Russell it's looking great.
Are you in the motor business / where did you learn how to do body work, electrics etc??
Now you've fitted a roll cage fitted do you intend to take it on the track

I have done the hands on workshop stuff in the past and part of the reason for doing a project car was because I sometimes miss this side of things. The mechanical and electrical side of things is almost second nature to me and I'm fairly handy with the mig welder. The filling and preparation of the bodywork for paint is the stuff I find a bit trickier.

Thankfully I haven't got a schedule to work too, which means that I can take my time with the tougher bits. Things like the frontend and the bootlid modifications weren't originally planned, I just get an idea sometimes and decide to give it a try.