Curse of the Crimson Altar-1966 Mini Cooper Resurrection

[politeperson]

I continued chucking bits on, mainly trying to see what is missing/broken.

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I reattached the old number plate and grills, they have a bit of patina for 58 years old.

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The headliner and rear panels look OK to me.

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The pedal box and steering colum seem to be OK too.
The seat brackets were also OK.
I also fitted the front shock absorber mounts for the dry conversion.

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Thought I would bolt the hinges on, they were painted carefully.

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Still not sure about the position of these two boxes, I will have to check the book.
Managed to get the wiper boxes the wrong way round. Always do that! I has to come off for the bulkhead insulation panel.
Might transfer the car to a more appropriate trolley tomorrow and start on sub-frames

[politeperson]

Well,
Lots of work to get a pair of sub-frames in!

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[Peter Laidler]

Just looking admiringly at the photos and a question....... The regulator and fuse box position and the front servo bracket. Are you building it up as a Cooper S?

[politeperson]

Yes.
Cooper S brakes, a servo and bits and pieces. The loom is Cooper S too.
I wasn't on planning on badging it as a Cooper S if that is what you mean!
I think its quite nice enough as a Cooper.
The engine and is a 1275cc one with some mods.

[mab01uk]

Excellent S spec mods, which many Cooper owners did as a common period upgrade back in the day.

[politeperson]

Thanks.
Latest news is a big "spend at Minisport yesterday. 75 items! Blimey.
Good value for money though compared to other cars I must say, Good range of options too.

[politeperson]

I got a bit more done today,
Bumpers and original overrides, new indicators, servo, reg. box and fuse box.
I started the dash.
The original gauges looked OK as did the switch panel and the white pod.
I moved the chrome strip on the old black binnacle to a new black binnacle.
I used black vinyl for the covering.
Might make the dash side panels as I have been told its 4-6 weeks.
Pedals went bask in OK, alonf with the master cylinders.
The accelerator says Paddy Hopkirk on it.
Started on the seals and grill surround extensions.

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[Peter Laidler]

Since you have departed from original, while you're doing the wiring stuff, would now be the time to change over to -ve earth and an all-included 17 ACR alternator. Makes life so much easier and easy to obtain too.

Looking at the build-up photos, can I suggest that when fitting the doors and boot hinges, you avoid the water sopping fibre gaskets like the plague. It's simple to draw around one and cut out a set of similar thickness plastic ones. Easy for me, a white car and white washing up liquid bottle provided the material! But grey coloured plastics are available

Great progress......

[politeperson]

Thanks Peter, Yes, all sounds good to me.

I hope to pick up the panels in the next week or so. My target is to try and get as much finished between now and then.
Working 9-5 doesn't help much.

[politeperson]

Things were a bit slower today as I had to do other bits on some other projects.
I nearly finished the cooling system, the dash and the power steering on the roadster. It is a big job that I started this time last year.

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I also was asked to remove and strip the tank and mudguards for the Harley as the painter is going to start tomorrow. I am doing a retro paint job.

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I managed the get some seals and glass in at the back of the mini. I also managed to get some more done at the front including the headlights.

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So all in all a productive Sunday.

[swifty]

Clutch and brake master cylinders ? Should be fitted this way …..

[politeperson]

Thanks,
Drat, thats my lunchtime gone tomorrow!

[Costafortune]

Trust me, you're not the first

Respect for keeping the original number plates - old cars look so much better with them.

[politeperson]

Thanks,
I have been able to reuse nearly all of the old parts, they have all been in pretty good condition.
The interior is an lovely condition and the car shows 26,000 miles but who knows?
I have corrected the masters cylinders and did a couple of other little jobs such as an issue with the binnacle and a missing seal around the steering rack.
I ordered the missing electrical components and leads today.
I think it will be time to figure out the brake lines, fuel line and suspension on soon.
A photo of a bare engine bay for a Cooper S would help (hint hint).
I am looking forward to putting it back on its wheels.
Then engine and gearbox in.

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[mini_surfari]

I don't want to ruin your day, but would definitely be easier to fit the brake and fuel lines with the subframes out!

[rpb203]

Having made the same mistake earlier in the year would agree 100%.
Although can be done when the subframes are in it is a pain and no where near as tidy.
If I had to do it again, which I don’t intend to, would definitely be subframes out.

[kit of bits]

I like this type of steel brake pipe it looks period, this seller seems a bit expensive..
D

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233912812379 ... edia=EMAIL

[politeperson]

This weekend I was forced into re-springing the old Discovery, so that took up most of my time.
She is now as good as the day she was new (albeit coil sprung now).
A great vehicle if you can get you head around it. Petrol-heads only though I warn you!
They are worth nothing but great if you can be bothered.

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I picked up the hanging panels and hung them too.
They dont look too awful.
Now they are on the car, so I cant drop them or bash them so easily.

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Engine gearbox and suspension must be on the horizon soon.

[Polarsilver]

Each to their Own .. if my car i would remove front subframe & then fit out the Engine & Box & build into the Subframe along with all the Suspension & Brakes, Drive Shafts + Fan & Radiator & Bottom Hose + Speedo Cable fitted + Exhaust Manifold Loose just located in place etc.. Then drop the Bodyshell down onto the Engine & Subframe this method takes away "most" of the worry about Engine Bay Paintwork.. Carbs go on once the Lump is back into the Bodyshell.
I fit & remove my Engines by this method single handed as i have a 4Post lift as it saves finding someone to help.

[Exminiman]

Looking really good, love the colour combination, had very similar back in the day.

Wondering what colour wheels you going for ?