My 1990 Mini !
Discussion
Hopefully this is going to turn into a bit of a build diary, bought from the guy that owns the workshop next to my dad's, who's actually a very nice guy. Even though the car is now mine, he's offered to get the engine out and store it, then re fit it while we strip and paint the whole shell! Also has a "big valve" head going on it. Engine should be coming out this week, I've removed most of the chrome and will be putting in a few hours to see if I can bring it all back to it's former glory. It's being repainted in Audi Ibis white, with a black roof and black arches. It will eventually have 7x13 minilites in black with a polished lip too, but not just yet!
I'll try to take pics and update as often as I can if anyone's interested!
This is how it stands at the moment:
Also, if anyone can recommend something to paint the block/head with, i'd very much appreciate it!
Immediate plans for the future:
Bought some standard rear lights, ready to fit.
Raise the back end, it's far too low for my liking.
New interior, all black, preferably with cobra classics in the front!
I'll try to take pics and update as often as I can if anyone's interested!
This is how it stands at the moment:
Also, if anyone can recommend something to paint the block/head with, i'd very much appreciate it!
Immediate plans for the future:
Bought some standard rear lights, ready to fit.
Raise the back end, it's far too low for my liking.
New interior, all black, preferably with cobra classics in the front!
PSBuckshot said:
Whats the inside like?
Looks like a decent little project
The inside is perfect condition but very 90's! ie: Cloth, and lots of it. Next pay day is going to see me looking for leather/vinyl and cobra classic seats! Toying with the idea of a centre speedo conversion too?? Looks like a decent little project
Unfortunately, that's the best pic I have! Yes, I know it's s
t! Ha! This picture of one of the dampers shows you what the seats are like!! Reminds me of coach seats on school trips...
Edited by TAHodgson on Friday 7th October 11:38
TAHodgson said:
The inside is perfect condition but very 90's! ie: Cloth, and lots of it. Next pay day is going to see me looking for leather/vinyl and cobra classic seats! Toying with the idea of a centre speedo conversion too??
I'm changing my cream interior to a black leather one soon. This or next month, I'll also be getting some cobra classics.Centre speedo conversion is easy, got my dash from old skool mini for £90 and then picked up a clock on eBay for a fiver. That clock came with the right speedo cable as well. Have a look round a scrapyard for an old mini, you'd be surprised at the stuff you can get on the cheap
And maybe consider old english white. Best white for a mini..... imo.
Yeah we did look at old english white, but we've got a load of Ibis white left over from a recent job on an R8 that had an encounter with a tree!! So it'd be rude not to use that, plus, it's a fabulous colour!
Update for today:
All the chrome has been polished to within an inch of it's life and most of it has come up wonderfully! Could do with a new overrider on the front bumper though!
Update for today:
All the chrome has been polished to within an inch of it's life and most of it has come up wonderfully! Could do with a new overrider on the front bumper though!
JimVVC said:
Nice project,
Personally I think it would look great in old english white on 10" wheels although retro is a little overdonde these days and I may be a little biased
Jim
With the small wheels, to make them look right everything else has to be 'retro' so to speak. IMO anyway. Personally I think it would look great in old english white on 10" wheels although retro is a little overdonde these days and I may be a little biased
Jim
I do like the retro look though, is a conversion to the older rear lights easy enough??
The retro exterior with a minimalist interior and a peppy little 1275 sounds good to me! I'm yet to decide where i'm gonna go with this project! But even if I decide against the alley cats, they're mint, with nearly new tyres and I've got them properly cheap. So could easily sell on with a profit... Hmmm...
The retro exterior with a minimalist interior and a peppy little 1275 sounds good to me! I'm yet to decide where i'm gonna go with this project! But even if I decide against the alley cats, they're mint, with nearly new tyres and I've got them properly cheap. So could easily sell on with a profit... Hmmm...
Lack of updates I know, if anyone's still reading this, customer cars are taking priority at the moment!
The deal on the Alleycats was cancelled after seeing them in person, they were nowhere near the condition the pictures showed and how my mate described them. So it's still rolling around on the 12" minilites and nackered tyres.
Which isn't a problem as it only needs to be rolled.... The engine is out and i'm teaching myself how it comes apart haha
The body has begun the repair stage (Bit more rot than we first though, but nothing excessive!)
Of course, over christmas things will slow down inevitably, but i'll get some more pictures next time i'm at the workshop if I remember!
The deal on the Alleycats was cancelled after seeing them in person, they were nowhere near the condition the pictures showed and how my mate described them. So it's still rolling around on the 12" minilites and nackered tyres.
Which isn't a problem as it only needs to be rolled.... The engine is out and i'm teaching myself how it comes apart haha
The body has begun the repair stage (Bit more rot than we first though, but nothing excessive!)
Of course, over christmas things will slow down inevitably, but i'll get some more pictures next time i'm at the workshop if I remember!
TAHodgson said:
I do like the retro look though, is a conversion to the older rear lights easy enough??
The retro exterior with a minimalist interior and a peppy little 1275 sounds good to me! I'm yet to decide where i'm gonna go with this project! But even if I decide against the alley cats, they're mint, with nearly new tyres and I've got them properly cheap. So could easily sell on with a profit... Hmmm...
Its not just the rear lights. You'd either have to run early Mini Cooper S disc brakes on the front or go to drums all round. The retro exterior with a minimalist interior and a peppy little 1275 sounds good to me! I'm yet to decide where i'm gonna go with this project! But even if I decide against the alley cats, they're mint, with nearly new tyres and I've got them properly cheap. So could easily sell on with a profit... Hmmm...
Make sure you put the speedo cable in when you put the engine in again. Dont think you can get to it with the engine in again.
Best of luck with the conversion.
I spent a lot time modifying my old Mini. Still miss it. Mine would never run well in the rain....
Small update, the car is now solid. No holes in it whatsoever, also fitted a new rear subframe and a rear brake refresh.
Quick question, anybody know what the NON genuine panels from the likes of mini spares etc fit like? As I could do with a boot lid and a door, but the genuine prices aren't within reach unfortunately!
Couple more pictures, not really showing much:
Thanks for looking!
Quick question, anybody know what the NON genuine panels from the likes of mini spares etc fit like? As I could do with a boot lid and a door, but the genuine prices aren't within reach unfortunately!
Couple more pictures, not really showing much:
Thanks for looking!
Looking Good 
. I had, up until a few months ago, a very similar looking Mini. I used to work for a Mini parts specialist so I can provide some insight on the whole Non Genuine VS Genuine/Heritage panels thing. The Non Genuines will fit. BUT there might be larger panel gaps etc and they may require "fettling" and swearing to get them on and looking "right". But as you know, they are cheaper.
. I had, up until a few months ago, a very similar looking Mini. I used to work for a Mini parts specialist so I can provide some insight on the whole Non Genuine VS Genuine/Heritage panels thing. The Non Genuines will fit. BUT there might be larger panel gaps etc and they may require "fettling" and swearing to get them on and looking "right". But as you know, they are cheaper.A lack of updates... again... sourced a boot lid, near perfect condition for £10! Though it's the wrong colour but this makes no difference at all as the whole car will be painted.
Stumbled across this on mini sport (http://www.minisport.com/mini-spare-parts/info_THIMS0900.html) it says 1275/cooper s only, mines a 998, but apparently this could help prolong engine life. Especially that of cars that regularly do longer trips, which mine will be doing! So any experience of the oil coolers, wether they're worth it, and wether this kit will fit/a 998 kit is available? Thanks guys
Stumbled across this on mini sport (http://www.minisport.com/mini-spare-parts/info_THIMS0900.html) it says 1275/cooper s only, mines a 998, but apparently this could help prolong engine life. Especially that of cars that regularly do longer trips, which mine will be doing! So any experience of the oil coolers, wether they're worth it, and wether this kit will fit/a 998 kit is available? Thanks guys
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