MK1 question from Slovenia

[gregor.tm]

Hi to everyone! this is my first question on the forum.

i started with body work.
the body shell looks well, but i found some rust and holes too

outer sills looked original and without any rust or holes... but i just had to open it to see what is inside:


when i opened i found horror inside:


my question is where to buy a small panel with nut on the top? it was used on the front rear side on the both sides.

[skorstensfejeren]

Here...... number 22 and 23.

http://www.somerfordmini.co.uk/eshop/in ... &chapter=4

[scott6058]

M-Machine full MK1 floor will clean up all the nasty. Reasonably inexpensive too.

[Ollie78]

Hi
I don't think that looks too bad, I wish my car had looked that good. I think what you have there is very repairable.
Removing those rusty brackets then sandblasting that area would be a good way to go now, that way you could see what you have and possibly make small repairs where needed. If its too far gone then M Machine full length floors are very well priced as has already been said.
Parts 22 and 23 in the somerford catalogue (the one's that have rusted away inside your sill area) are slinging brackets. They were used at the factory to bolt down the body shells to the production line, no other use for them. They do add 'some' strength and somerford recommend fitting but the M Machine full floor assembly (including exhaust tunnel, sills and brackets) do not include them. At least mine didn't when I bought it, when I asked M Machine told me they can fit them but said they don't consider them necessary.
If you really wanted them why pay for heritage, they are very easy to make and have a 5/16" UNF captive nut welded inside.
Some might say they are needed, personally I didn't bother, they are a rust trap and your car is testament to that as you can see.
The bracket in the centre needs attention as its a jacking point, I think it would be unwise not to repair that one.
What are the rest of the floors like? The car looks pretty good.
Ollie

[Bart Smith]

I think I'm gonna puke...

[ianh1968]

personally I didn't bother, they are a rust trap
and your car is testament to that as you can see.

The bracket in the centre needs attention as its a jacking point,
I think it would be unwise not to repair that one.Ollie

Quite right about "rust traps":- Anything with a "double layer" or laminations will be a trap...

When I had my car done, I dispensed with the standard jacking points as I always use a
scissor-jack under a solid part of the front or rear subframes. In fact, anything that was
deemed superfluous (by the restorer who knows a great deal about vehicle structure)
was "dealt with".

Some of the "closing" panels often get omitted by restorers: These do serve a useful
purpose and should always be fitted. Just make sure that there is a suitable sized hole
at the lowest point to let out any water which does inevitably get behind them.

[rich@minispares.com]

I think I would be delighted if I had a mk1 shell that only needed that small amount of welding!

[gregor.tm]

thank you for replies to every one!!!

the shell is sand blasted now and it is more clear what panels i will have to change.
overall the shell is in very good condition, accept the drivers front floor, inner and outer sill, A panels, rear valance,..... here are some more photos.

here is a photo of my MK1 bodyshell. it was displayed on a fair as a reference of sand blasting company.




front wings are not original..... it was changed during life time.... and will have to be replaced once more


front panel is an original from 64, but awful welded





i do not know what was wrong with the bracket.... because it was reparied too:


drivers front floor is also rotten too:




i do not like that hole!
i am interested how would you repair it? any advice welcome!


it does not look nice


outer A pannel will have to be replaced too:


i guess inner A pannel will have to be replaced too




but i am very happy to have original rear valance closing panel. it is in good condition.


inner sills will have to be replaced by a new one:

[Gareth Brandt]

.....why no "bung holes" in the floor wells?? Seen this before but don't know why some mk1 have them and some don't.....

[Bart Smith]

Love the full valance.

[gregor.tm]

.....why no "bung holes" in the floor wells?? Seen this before but don't know why some mk1 have them and some don't.....

that is good question! i am not expert for answer. i hope someone can help.
my Riley Elf from 65 has holes on the front floor and MK1 cooper from 1965 which i recently restored it has holes to.
the bodyshell on photos is from 1964 and does not have it.
any comments about holes are welcome.

[1071bob]

The shell looks a lot better after the blasting, which is not normally the case! Looks like the front panel is ok to reuse when you get the front wings off. Probably easier to remove the front panel from the inner wings, replace the rusty sections and refit. I had to remake the front panel support brackets on my project and I still have the tooling to remake the triangular outer sections if you need some.
Regarding the slinger brackets, I replaced all four of the brackets inside the sills and now use the system for wheeling the shell around and for high stands.

[gregor.tm]

Hi 1071bob. thank you so much for the coments and photos!
it looks great work! i like a way for using slinger brackets, to wheeling the shell around.
i hope you do not have a copy rights to use it on my mini to.

did you make front panel support brackets from the photo with your tooling? they look fantastic.