Finaly started to get some work done on the classic. Drove it around for about 2 months and has been sitting in the garage for about 6 after tearing apart the whole interior body work will soon get under way. So far it looks like I'm going to be replacing the front end, the rear floor pan, door skins, and rear subframe. Of course other things will be replaced also as we all know new problems always arise. Wish me luck hopefully I'll have her out of the garage and onto the street before spring swings around so I can enjoy the nice cool weather.





What year did disc brakes become standard? Do these look like original brakes to you guys? The car is registered as a 73' but I have found nothing on the car that can confirm this.

 

What size is the rotor? If it's 7.5 inches then someone has put Cooper S disc brakes on the car. If it is 8.4, then that the is the size from 1980 something.

Do 10inch wheels fit on your car? IF they dont, then those are 8.4 discs.

They are definitely not standard if your car is a 1973.

Btw.. from the looks of you car, it's not a 1973. It's newer than that. Probably 1980's.

Matt

 

Ok so I just went out and measured the rotors they are 8.4 and the car came with 12inch wheels.

 

The tail lights would indicate a MK4.

Good luck on the project.


Dave

 

Progress for today:

I finished removing the headlights, turnsignals, front grill, tail lights, trunk hatch and gas tank. Everything has been bagged by sections to keep track of every nut and bolt. Hopefully tomorrow I will be removing the doors and all the glass.

 

You can find the build date on the windshield wiper motor and on the boot latch (not the boot handle).

The size of the wheels and discs won't tell you what year the car is. Lots of older Minis had newer discs and wheels retrofitted (and vice versa).

You've got a heck of a project there. Good that you're being very organized about it. Take lots of digital pictures of every little thing, too. So what color will it be when you get new paint on it. I assume you're not keeping the yellow (though some Miniacs do like it, if you can imagine that).

 

Cool I'll look for the build date later today. As far as color goes im thinking right now Black with a black pearl, have to see what that looks like first, and a checkboard roof.

 

As every part including the shell could have been changed over the years it becomes almost impossible to tell exactly what year it is.
What size is the engine?
Is the carb a HIF?
Do the rocker switches have chamfered edges or are they more sharp edged?
Is the radiator cowl one or two piece?

And yes, check the dates on both the wiper motor and distributor. If they are close that would be your best bet. Odds are they were not chanced at the same time.

Dave

 

My guess is its a 1984 MINI City, with 1 1/2 SU Carb, and 998cc engine.

And for the record, it's ok to put a VTEC in that one.

 

"Drooling" Wish I had the money to get me a project classic Mini. Oh well I will settle for my 02 MCS. For now.

 

Update for today.

Got everything I wanted to accomplish done today removed all the glass and doors. I managed to crack the front glass in the process. Just a small crack on the left side. Does anyone know where I can get a cheap replacement? Mini Mania wants 250 for the front glass. I guess I'll just keep a look out for some used parts.





Also I looked at the wiper motor and boot latch. The latch has 11/86 marked on it where as the wiper motor has alot more on it but i can't figure out which one is the date? There is a 86 marked on the motor also but not sure if thats the right number.




Also I went around looking to pick up one of these today to help remove the body panels alot faster, but nowhere had them in stock. Thought I would just cut the seams instead of drilling out all the spot welds cause there sure does seem like alot of them. Im going to be replacing many of the panels anyways so it seems like the easiest thing to do.

 

Pretty clearly your Mini was "previously rebuilt to 1986 specs." The wiper motor is a little confusing to me. The '86' is clearly for the year, but the '13' in front of that should represent the month. Maybe it's that metric calandar in the UK.

Too bad about the glass. You might try Heritage Garage in Orange County to see if they have windshields. Or let it be known on various Mini bulletin boards that you need a windshield and see if anyone has a spare one about.

 

I found the 3" cutoff most valuable for the clubmanectomy I performed and removal of various rusty & crusty bits..




many areas you won't have enough room behind the panel for the throw of the saw blade..

and a Sawzall...for the big stuff muhahaha!


Some photos of the process in my gallery....

 

Here is a great source for parts.
http://www.gbcarparts.com/


The fun has only begun. Here are some photos of my Mini build.
Mini Cord


Dave

 

man, this thread is so cool!!!


can't wait for the next updates.

 

I too am looking for a windshield and found this on e-bay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...3AAAQ%3AUS%3A1

Any one know if these are any good?

 

Thanks alot I will look into that.

Dave, This looks awesome what flares did you use on this one? I can see that you molded them on I really like that look. were they just the standard plastic flares?

 

Those are the stock flairs.
That is a photo of the car before we took it apart.

Dave

 

Quick update

After cutting off both front fenders and A wings I realized that I am probably going to have to replace the nose piece as well. I thought I would be able to slavage it but it would just be alot easier to replace it. I'll get some pictures of the progress later tonite. Slowly but surely coming along.

 

Cut off most of the front panel today came to a questionable part. Since I just decided to replace the front panel as well I dont have one to compare it to. I was wondering if anyone knew if the bracket that connects the front panel to the side wings come attached to a new front panel or not? (bracket in the third picture) Looking at the diagrams on minimania it doesn't show a bracket on the side wings and it does not show a seperate piece? I was just wondering if I should just cut the bracket or try to keep it intact and drill out the spot welds? Any help guys?

 

now, i'm entirely new to minis, but i've been told the first two digits of the date code are for the week it was built (that would be the 13th week of 1986 in this case). it's the same format as the date stamp on tires.

looks like you've got a great project there.


cheers,
will

 

The bracket comes attached to the new front piece. I cut mine off for the flip front. Great work!

BTW, nice to see a work'n garage, not some of these show places...

 

Awesome! thanks alot time to get back to cutting


Yeah our garage is just full or misc. car parts and tools we put our garage to good use, its not just to store your car.

 

Project has slowed down as I am waiting for the new parts to come in

 

Good looking project.
A friend of mine is also rebuilding an 80's Mini (and I am trying to help ). It had all the markings of a Mini City when he got it.

Click HERE for pics