My First Mini - Cooper Sport Final Editon!
Discussion
Hi Everyone!
I did make a thread on this a while ago however I thought I’d make a more detailed one now I’ve had the car nearly a year.
My Mum had one, my Dad had two and my Brother had one. Now its my turn!
I first decided on the idea when I met up with my mate who had a Mini Neon with a crazy exhaust. After seeing it on the road I fancied some Mini action, so the search was on to find a mint rust free example. I really love the way the Cooper Sport looks. However after searching, I realised that I'd have to increase my budget to find the right car.
After looking at a few scabby ones, I came across this one.
I bought it from Cambridge Mini Works back in July with 44,000 miles on the clock. Very tidy car with next to no rust at all which is what I like. The plan is to only use the car during the show season, so I wanted it looking good.
After I'd collected the car, I started by cleaning underneath and rustproofing everywhere. I was lucky as the previous owner had it rustproofed every year. I then began on the paintwork, by using a DA polisher to reduce any swirl marks, before sealing it with a coat of Carnauba wax. I absolutely love driving it. No car I have driven comes close to the mechanical driving feel that you get with this car.
First Stage: Cleaning, and Protecting
Second Stage: Machine Polishing
Final Stage: Drive It!
A few edited images of my car.
If you've got this far well done!
The car went into storage over the winter to keep the miles down and to keep it away from the salty roads!
While the car wasn't being used, I Painted all the underside and arches red. Really pleased with the results
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
Once I'd finished this, I decided that the engine bay could do with brightening up a bit. I degreased everything dried it all and added 4 coats of engine lacquer.
Before
After
The pictures certainly don't do it justice.
Once the car had come out of hibernation, it went into my local specialist P&L Minis. I would highly recommend these guys, they did a great job fitting a new subframe and carrying out a service. The car then went back for its MOT which it passed. Its now ready for the show season. I've already had many drives out in it already. I will never get bored of the driving experience. You can't help but have a massive smile of your face when your driving it.
I decided to add some originality to the engine bay.
I'm doing the London to Brighton Mini Run. I can't wait as it will be my first ever time doing it.
Thanks for looking,
Dan
I did make a thread on this a while ago however I thought I’d make a more detailed one now I’ve had the car nearly a year.
My Mum had one, my Dad had two and my Brother had one. Now its my turn!
I first decided on the idea when I met up with my mate who had a Mini Neon with a crazy exhaust. After seeing it on the road I fancied some Mini action, so the search was on to find a mint rust free example. I really love the way the Cooper Sport looks. However after searching, I realised that I'd have to increase my budget to find the right car.
After looking at a few scabby ones, I came across this one.
I bought it from Cambridge Mini Works back in July with 44,000 miles on the clock. Very tidy car with next to no rust at all which is what I like. The plan is to only use the car during the show season, so I wanted it looking good.
After I'd collected the car, I started by cleaning underneath and rustproofing everywhere. I was lucky as the previous owner had it rustproofed every year. I then began on the paintwork, by using a DA polisher to reduce any swirl marks, before sealing it with a coat of Carnauba wax. I absolutely love driving it. No car I have driven comes close to the mechanical driving feel that you get with this car.
First Stage: Cleaning, and Protecting
Second Stage: Machine Polishing
Final Stage: Drive It!
A few edited images of my car.
If you've got this far well done!
The car went into storage over the winter to keep the miles down and to keep it away from the salty roads!
While the car wasn't being used, I Painted all the underside and arches red. Really pleased with the results
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
Once I'd finished this, I decided that the engine bay could do with brightening up a bit. I degreased everything dried it all and added 4 coats of engine lacquer.
Before
After
The pictures certainly don't do it justice.
Once the car had come out of hibernation, it went into my local specialist P&L Minis. I would highly recommend these guys, they did a great job fitting a new subframe and carrying out a service. The car then went back for its MOT which it passed. Its now ready for the show season. I've already had many drives out in it already. I will never get bored of the driving experience. You can't help but have a massive smile of your face when your driving it.
I decided to add some originality to the engine bay.
I'm doing the London to Brighton Mini Run. I can't wait as it will be my first ever time doing it.
Thanks for looking,
Dan
Edited by DJC on Wednesday 9th May 06:52
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