Would it be unwise of me to buy a brand new MKV Classic Mini body shell from British Motor Heritage over seas? Other options require optimistic expectations such as running across a nice body shell with out rust/bondo or in need of anything other than minor repairs. Or I could find a beat up Mini for cheap and spend major $$ for someone else to get the body back in shape because I don't have the means for it, i.e. no garage, tools, etc. I definitely don't want rust to be an issue because I will be planning on keeping my Mini for ever


And just to let everyone know, this is my maiden post. My goals are:

An all wheel drive Classic Mini.

 

A new shell is a great way to go. Guess you better buy a donor car for all of the other bits & pieces you'll need.

Not to burst your bubble, but..... How are you going to build up the new shell? No garage & no tools seems like a real stumbling block.

Welcome to NAM.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crashton

How are you going to build up the new shell? No garage & no tools seems like a real stumbling block.

Good question. I believe the body shell comes complete so that wouldn’t be a problem. (I think that's what you are asking right?) But I would be having an experienced shop put the rest together. (interior, electrical, etc.)

As far as a donor car goes I would only need certain spare parts. I could probably get them through Mini Mania as I would be getting an entirely different drivetrain with an awd transmission. I could be wrong though. But that is why I believe that getting a new body shell wouldn’t be cost effective in the long run so I wanted to get your opinions first.

 

How much is shipping?

 

I have been told anywhere from $500 - $1500. So I have no idea. I'm guessing it's closer to $1500 unless I can find someone shipping things to the states and "slide" this in their carton/container. (I know…easier said than done ) I'm guessing that's where the $500 came in.

 

Mr. Mini in Canada has shells in stock the last time I checked. www.mrmini.com

 

it'll be cheaper to buy a complete car.

 

Why not go to Mini Mania? The BMH Shell is roughly $6500, and the Mini Mania shell is $7500.

So for an extra $1,000 you dont have to deal with customs, shipping from england, or trying to learn to talk british so you don't have to deal with a translator.

Just my $.02

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by bumble's angel

Why not go to Mini Mania? The BMH Shell is roughly $6500, and the Mini Mania shell is $7500.

I thought about going the Mini Mania route but then they don't offer the Sport Pack option. (Now that I'm actually thinking about it - Since it's a "Special Order" item I bet I get to decide on having that option when I order it.) The other reason for me pursuing the over seas route by possibly saving a few bucks. I have a friend that owns a business importing parts for VAG vehicles. I may be able to slide this in on one of his containers. But I have heard that the body shell is not sturdy enough to transport if things are put on or inside of it as I'm sure would occur. I just wish I could find a shell that was (near) perfect in everyway AND more affordable than this current plan of mine. By the way, I appreciate all the help, suggestions and $.02…this is the exact reason for my post.

 

While I understand not wanting to deal with rust issues, I don't see the wisdom in spending a lot of cash on a new shell that you will (in all likelyhood) cut away most of the undercarriage anyway to fit AWD???

 

Wait and buy a new Fiat 500 when they come over it would save you $1000's. You have any idea what your Mini project will cost?

 

I know, only if I could find a nearly perfect doby shell/donar car.

So I guess this answers my question (that I almost sort of knew). I should just wait until I come across one.

 

Cul8ter,

Since your seeking .02 cent opinions... An AWD classic mini project? Are you kidding? What automotive engineer do you know who's going to create this for you? If you have the mechanical resources/friends, etc., to do a full parts swap between a donor car and a new shell--GREAT! But, an AWD mini is a pretty tall order. If you have people who can design/build an AWD mini, don't sweat the sport pack option.

 

I HAVE a rust free car, contact me if interested.

 

An AWD Classic Mini being built by a professional with all your parts coming from MiniMania and you are worried about saving a few dollars on shipping!!!
I think this would be a blank check sort of build. Any idea of the total cost/budget??

 

Yes, $.02 is fine, but criticism is not. Oh well, it plagues every car forum on the internet so it comes with the territory....

Anyway, to shine some light on your "concerns", it will roughly end up costing $35k if I got everything brand spanking new and ended up with a complete vehicle after the car was built. I could type out my plan but it would turn into a novel. I was simply trying to figure out the body shell part. I know it will be modified to accommodate the different drivetrain/transmission but knowing how my mind works, if I went into this plan half heartedly, I would drop the ball in other areas too like possibly with the paint, some interior bits, etc. So I guess that's why I'm going against the grain, I'm **** about these types of things.

 

Do you have an AWD car mind as your drive train/engine donor? Or is this going to be a ground up kinda thing?

 

I have a few in mind but the one at the head of the line is a Honda Civic RT4WD using the Super Fast Mini's MTD subframe. The other in going the Honda CRX route. Something else that may work is a Mazda 323 GTX setup but then a new subframe needs to be built. Another option which I have not priced out yet is asking HPA Motorsports to do a VW 1.8L Turbo and a 4 Motion conversion.

 

Another thing to consider with a new shell and not getting a donor car is liscencing. It would be much easier to get it liscenced if you have an existing clean title from a donor. Building a car from the ground up w/ all new parts is going to mean a big headache of paperwork and inspections before you can drive it on the road. Also, you don't list what state your in but If it's one that requires Smog/ vehicle inspections, that's going to make things even tougher yet w/ the mods you're talking about.

 

Cul8r-

I didn't mean to come off as a jerk with my remarks... If you have resources for building an AWD mini--WOW, that's very cool! Please share the experience and don't forget photos. Words on a forum can appear harsher than meant to be. And my sport pack remark wasn't a gouge... Converting the wheel wells to fit sport pack flares is simple. The person who engineers your AWD conversion will be able to do arches w/his eyes shut. Good luck and keep posting. I'm having a mini restored and compared to typical mini values, it's costing me a bundle. I envy the guys who have the knowledge, skill, tools and facilities to perform these total restorations that I read about. But like you, I don't have the facilities, so we dig deeper into the checkbook balance.

 

I've read from multiple sources that the modern shells are prone to rust due to a reduction in the undercoating process used and/or a somewhat more inferior grade of steel used in the body. If you go the full shell route, be sure to contract with a reputible and professional painter to have the shell properly sealed and then painted/clear coated. I'd recommend going a full clear-coat route personally, even though I'm quite sure it will cost more - if you're planning on shelling out $35k for the car, it would suck to have it start rusting in a few years. Better to spend some additional $$ and do it right from the get-go.

MAN I wish I had deep(er) pockets. Oh, well... (shrug).

Just out of curiosity - have you contacted someone like Big Norm to see what can be done in regards to restoring the current shell or replacing it with a refurbished OEM one? I can only go by his photos of course, but Norm seems to really know his stuff and is always willing to share his knowlege with the community from my experience. I'd bet that he can set you up with a shell WITH Sportpack arches and whatever other modifications the AWD project will require.

 

I contacted him (Norm) about 4 months ago. He said they were actually sitting on some parts from a CRV but have not had the time to tackle it. I tried contacting him again a month ago and then again a couple weeks ago but I got no reply. In the mean time I have spoken to a couple local shops and one of them is dieing to tackle the project. Oh, and roger-that on the new panels.

 

So it has been a few minutes since your last post. Have you got it built yet? Do you have pics? Can I have a ride? What is taking so long?

 

I wish.