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I decided it do a little sprucing up in the interior. The car was pretty clean when I got it but it did need a vacuuming. So I vacuumed the carpets and when I pulling out the floor mats I discovered that there were two floor mats for each position. The top ones were aftermarket from some place called GGBAILEY.COM. And under the aftermarket mats were the original Mini mats. The Mini mats look new and the other mats are in great shape. The Driver's aftermarket mat is slightly worn and a bit soiled but should clean right up. All in all the interior was really clean. Here are some pics.
Well, I've done a bunch to the MINI and I couldn't wait to take a test drive so I found the registration sticker and put some insurance on the thing and went for a test drive. I camera'ed it up to record this momentous occasion. Here is a link to the video.
Did a little sprucing up, painted the intercooler cover with some yellow paint. One of the cover screws was missing and the other was mismatched so I spent about an hour on the internet to find some replacements. Pelican parts wanted $4.50 each for the bolts so I looked elsewhere. I finally found a place to order them ... in stainless steel!!. They did have a minimum so I bought extras as well as some of the clip on bolts used to mount the under tray to the front facia. I didn't think about it but I want to order some of the same fasteners for the intercooler rubber brackets. And because of the minimums I'll be buying a bunch of hex heads for the AE86 build. In stainless of course!
Did a little sprucing up, painted the intercooler cover with some yellow paint. One of the cover screws was missing and the other was mismatched so I spent about an hour on the internet to find some replacements. Pelican parts wanted $4.50 each for the bolts so I looked elsewhere. I finally found a place to order them ... in stainless steel!!. They did have a minimum so I bought extras as well as some of the clip on bolts used to mount the under tray to the front facia. I didn't think about it but I want to order some of the same fasteners for the intercooler rubber brackets. And because of the minimums I'll be buying a bunch of hex heads for the AE86 build. In stainless of course!
I thought I'd bring you the sounds of the Dirt Cheap MINI's exhaust. I was impressed. My good friend and crew chief when I race, Matt, got to drive the MINI yesterday, he has a WRX. We both agree that the MINI is faster than his WRX.
So ... on the MINI there are a couple small dents, two or three on the hood look like someone leaned or sat the hood and cause them, they are small but I know they are there. On a whim I bought one of those cheap paintless dent repair kits online. Since it arrived the weather has been cool and rainy so I really don't want to go out but I just couldn't wait to try out my new toy. Itching to pop a dent I decided to try out the kit on my project AE86. There is a dent on the rear fender flair of the AE86 that I though I'd have to use weld on studs and a slide hammer on because there is no access from the back. I figured I had nothing to loose so I gave it a try. BLAM! after about 5 pulls I believe the dent is gone. I can't wait to try this out on the small dents on the MINI.
Is anyone interested in seeing before and after pictures or how about a video? Let me know!
In case any of you are interested .... My friend Matt and I bought 1985 Toyotas, I have a rear wheel drive Corolla and he bought a rear wheel drive Celica. Most of our friends have shown a lot of interest in the projects so we decided to make a YouTube channel and document our journey. I filmed and intro video of the Corolla (link below) and most of the work I am doing on the car. Matt is doing the same for the Celica. If you want to follow along (and even if you don't) please subscribe to the channel so we can grow the viewership (because have more subs helps with YouTube recommending us.)
Oh my, how quickly things change! So I'm happily wrenching on the Corolla when my wife tells me she is heading over to the daughters house to help her retrieve her car that broke down. So I started asking questions and I diagnosed the problem as ROD KNOCK. I knew what was coming next. Sure enough, rod knock, car is heading to the wrecker. This leaves my daughter without a car "until she can find another one." Car prices are at a record high and inventory is low at all dealer lots, well, with the exception of Dad's car lot. So my wife asks which car I want to long term loan her (read that as "give her.") So my daily driver hits the road ... and I'm sure never to be seen again.
So, My Mini has been demoted from track toy to daily driver. Now I have to get it street worthy, lots of little jobs, headlights need refurbed, headliner, street tires, I need to get the Paintless dent repair stuff out and pull out those minor dents.
Are your headlights yellowing? Since I'm now using my Mini as a daily driver I had to do something about the headlights. Since there are a bunch of yellowed headlights out there I decided to record the process and make a video.
08-24-2020, 09:48 AM
