1960 Van

[ChrisB]

I sold my '91 Mini last week, and bought a '60 Van to replace it. Some of you might have seen it on eBay...



Inside at the rear the load floor has dodgy repairs either side by the wheelarches, but generally is in good condition.



Powerwashed the whole car inside and out, underneath was covered in mud and muck.



Starting to be taken apart now.



Just off to drop the rear subframe out as it has been sitting on axle stands for a few days now whilst shows were going on.

[36inter]

One of my favourite Mini's, I was tempted to bid on that but the threat of divorce dissuaded me. Below is a picture of my first and much missed van taken in southern Spain in 1970, great memories. I will follow your restoration with interest, good luck.

Pete

[guru_1071]

trying to recapture your youth eh pete?

[36inter]

Trying, or very trying as the wife would say, but arn't vans cool

[ChrisB]

Dropped the subframe out:





Spent the afternoon stripping the bits off:



Chipped all of the filler off the rear valance, found 2 large holes but generally quite good - I will be replacing the rear valance anyway but at least the upped part where the loadbay ends and the doors seal is good.





Then finished off by fitting the caster wheeled subframe and putting it back:

[InimiaD]

Considering the age that Van looks to be in great shape.
Looking forward to watching the rebuild.

[JC T ONE]

I sold my '91 Mini last week, and bought a '60 Van to replace it.
Some of you might have seen it on eBay...

Hey Chris,

so this is your "new" project cool, I love Van,s thou I dont fit very well in them

I grew up in the back of one of these, thats where my Mini addiction comes from.

will be great to watch the progress on this

Jens Christian

[ChrisB]

I don't fit that well either, I'm 6ft4 and it's a tight squeeze. My length is mainly in my legs, but I seem to fit *just about* and won't be growing any more.

[JC T ONE]

I don't fit that well either, I'm 6ft4 and it's a tight squeeze. My length is mainly in my legs, but I seem to fit *just about* and won't be growing any more.

He he - makes 2 of us (I am 6.6 app) but thats the great thing about the Mini,s driving position,
you fit a smaller steering wheel, and put a knee on each side of it.

You would love a Radford or Wood & Pickett, they cut the rear companion boxes away, so the front seat can go ALL the way back really nice.

The worst for space is a Pickup, as you cant put the seat very far back, but I do fit in .

[36inter]

Are you double jointed JC, 6'6" in a pickup!!! that would be an interesting photo, at least you should be able to reach the switches

[JC T ONE]

6'6" in a pickup!!!

at least you should be able to reach the switches

No problems in that area

I can even demist the rear screen, from the front seat (in a saloon)

[ChrisB]

I haven't been feeling all that great for the past few days so have spent it in bed. Back on the van today though:










Doesn't help that another Mini is in the process of being finished, this one my Dads current project.:

[ChrisB]

This project hasn't been abandoned, just hit that point where posting pictures is difficult - who really cares about a bare metalling a front subframe etc

Current situation is:

The whole van is stripped
Some panels have been purchased
All general bits, lights and glass are packed away
Front subframe is in bare metal


The Mini that my Dad was working in is now finished, once he has done a gearbox change for a friend then I will have the garage back for a month. Unfortunately my parents Mk2 is then having a strip and rebuild over winter so I won't be able to have many bits out at the same time as we don't want the bits being muddled.

The plus side to that is... soda blasting any of my parts will be easy as everything will be set up ready!

[814CWE]

its gonna make a lovely van..im well jealous ,it was a very good find..

[ChrisB]

Wire brushing and sandblasting has been the only progress in the last few months.



I have a pile of bits growing which are for priming and spraying once the worst of the weather is gone, they will be sprayed at the same time as the Mk2's bits are done.



Rear subframe and all suspension bits are done, as are half of the braking components. It is only a couple of weeks work until the bodyshell will be the only thing needing work.

[ChrisB]

Last few bits were being removed from the shell today.





Inside I removed wiring, handbrake, steering column, pedal box, switch panel, dash pod...

[bpirie1000]

good to see another 60's van on the go.. i have a 1961 van and its cracking..

mine waqs in the same condition as yours when i got it..

strange how the metal lasts from back then but metal nowadays is just like paperclips melted down and shaped.

well done on the purchase.

[ChrisB]

strange how the metal lasts from back then but metal nowadays is just like paperclips melted down and shaped.

Yeah, I have a 1971 Clubman saloon in the garden thats all original - only needs a drivers floor and a sill really - the rest is really solid with just a couple of holes.

Compare that to just about any Sportspack Mini that goes outside... I haven't seen one make it past 8 years without needing the scuttle, a panels, front wing to front panel joins and the real wheelarches etc needing work.

[ChrisB]

Some bigger pictures

http://www.flickr.com/photos/austin_mini_van/

[georgek]

Good luck, you obviously like a challenge!!!