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Mojo
Member
| Joined: | Friday October 19th, 2007 |
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| Posts: | 4 |
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Posted: Friday October 19th, 2007 10:57 am |
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I bought a mini this year with the intention of attempting to restore it to its natural beauty, now its been sitting for quite a while and the front end has managed to accumulate quite a helping of rust. Especially the inner wing assembly, I got the Haynes restoration manual and for what I have done so far its been fine but it make no mention of this panel or how to replace it, can anyone provide advice or a link to some sort of guide for removing this panel and fitting a new one?
Cheers
Mark
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taffy1967
Member
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Posted: Saturday October 20th, 2007 12:06 am |
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Well if the inner wings have gone, you're going to have to remove both the wings and the front panel, plus all the suspension and subframe components if you have to replace the complete panels.
Quite a tall order and that's why you probably won't find any mention of it because its really something for the professionals to sort.
I might be wrong, but I think the shell might need to be jigged to keep everything straight too?
But if your talking about the inner arches or bulkhead panel (near where the air trunking vents enter the car), then you will probably find it easier to have the both front wings and A'panels removed to sort that area.
Here's my Mini undergoing a face-lift back in 2002 and the inner-arch/bulkhead area was repaired on mine: -
The front panel remained because that had been recently replaced anyway after accident damage: -
 Last edited on Saturday October 20th, 2007 12:15 am by taffy1967 |
Mk 3 S Meister
MCR Member
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Posted: Saturday October 20th, 2007 08:26 am |
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| Is there too much rust for a localised repair? Assorted repair panels are available for the inner wing area.
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Mojo
Member
| Joined: | Friday October 19th, 2007 |
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| Posts: | 4 |
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Posted: Saturday October 20th, 2007 04:17 pm |
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Thanks, I think it might have to be a "get a pro to do it job". I think there is too much rust for a patch job, I figured it might be a big job and I was going to have to remove quite a lot of it.
This is what it looks like just now. The top at the scuttle board is even rustier than it looks.Attachment: DSC00062 (Small).JPG (Downloaded 38 times) Last edited on Saturday October 20th, 2007 04:18 pm by Mojo |
taffy1967
Member
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Posted: Saturday October 20th, 2007 05:18 pm |
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Hello Mark,
That looks like a Mini British Open Classic LE? Lovely model and it's well worth saving I'd say.
It's hard to tell how bad things are from photo's, but if you do go the professional route, either entrust the work to a good Mini Specialist or a Mini friendly bodyshop that comes highly recommended by all your mates at your local Mini Club.
Just don't let any old panel beater with a welder have a go, because it's not going to be a cheap fix, you want the work done properly and you want it to last.
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DaveShreeve
Administrator
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Posted: Saturday October 20th, 2007 11:23 pm |
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taffy1967 wrote: That looks like a Mini British Open Classic LE?
Don't think so Taffy. No alloys - wouldn't expect anyone to refit plastic trims on temporary wheels; can't see British Open logo on rear quarter and pin stripe looks white rather than gold; steering wheel is wrong colour; not sure about rear seat - should have cloth inserts; roof isn't clear but there's no sign of the deflector for the sunroof. Colour's correct, and these days I'd suggest any mini in this condition is worth persevering with.
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Mojo
Member
| Joined: | Friday October 19th, 2007 |
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| Posts: | 4 |
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Posted: Sunday October 21st, 2007 01:00 am |
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Taffy, unfortunately it's nothing as cool as that it's simply a Mayfair, if I was going to get any work done it would be by the bloke I bought it from (http://www.minimart-gateside.co.uk/) he may have a SMART car on the front page but the restoration on the forecourt was very well done!
Thanks for the advice I will try to keep ytou up-to-date with my restoration but I warn you, progress is slow! 
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DaveShreeve
Administrator
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Posted: Sunday October 21st, 2007 01:04 am |
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Mojo wrote: Taffy, unfortunately it's nothing as cool as that it's simply a Mayfair
Well, that's where Rover started!
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taffy1967
Member
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Posted: Sunday October 21st, 2007 09:39 pm |
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Well you'll have to excuse my bad eye sight and I didn't spot the wheel trims. The colour of the seats threw me and I instantly thought of the BOC that my sister once owned.
these days I'd suggest any mini in this condition is worth persevering with.
I agree with you Dave.
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Graham Bichard
Member
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Posted: Monday October 22nd, 2007 03:48 pm |
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Mojo, it wouldn't happen to be a 1992 998cc Mayfair reg J121JVK would it? No chance - I owned that car when it was new and have a LOT of good memories of it . I'd snap it up in a moment if I found it again, and you're right Dave, they're all worth saving these days (have you tried looking for a cheap old mini project these days!!!)
Good luck with the restoration!
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Mojo
Member
| Joined: | Friday October 19th, 2007 |
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| Posts: | 4 |
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Posted: Monday October 22nd, 2007 04:19 pm |
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| Graham, no, its a 1.3 I'm sure and it's first registered in '93, (L plate I think, it's been a while since I took the number plate off!). One careful owner from new and he lived all his days in Glasgow, buzzing back and forth. Unfortunately he wasn't careful enough to take care of the rust patches before he got rid of it!
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Graham Bichard
Member
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Posted: Tuesday October 23rd, 2007 06:53 am |
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Mojo, I found that mini's went through stages regarding rusting - my '92 wasn't too bad (probably to new to really show the effects when I got rid of it after 3 years), but my sister in laws late '80's mini was a right rust bucket! Similarly the '79 mini I got my hands on for the missus (blown head gasket - was going to be scrapped!) was solid!
So hopefully for you the '90s mini's were going through a good period. Make sure you let us see the progress!
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