Time lapse full metal Broadspeed GT restoration/transformation
Posted: Fri May 01, 2020 10:26 am
Today is international labour day. But unfortunately in times of global lock down. So I think it’s a pretty good moment to start sharing my actual long-term labour project with you.
All my long-term Mini projects took a time period of more or less nine years each. These was usually caused by changing circumstances and personal situations. In 2015, as my last project was about to be finished, the idea of my next project was born. I wanted to focus on something more challenging rather than just restoring another Mini.
I always fancied the Broadspeed GT. But with the remaining number of only a hand full of original Broadspeeds, the chances to find and acquire an original wouldn’t be realistic. And from the craftsman’s point of view, I don’t like the idea of material change within a single flat surface (rear side panel: half metal / half glassfibre). Thus, I decided to build my own full metal Broadspeed GT. But this of course needs some good preparation and planning. The first years I basically spend with researching details. Before, I was only playing with the various parts of the different Minis versions, particularly the early ones. Now, the possible parts range immediately extended to various British cars of the late 60th. Especially cars I had never heard of.
On the other hand I needed to extend my personal skills. Shaping metal into a particular form is something totally different then exchanging rotten body sections with available replacement panels. As an aircraft engineer by trade, I was only taught the metal basics. After a while I found an academy in Germany, which train classic car restoration skills including various metal shaping classes.
To use the new skills, I also needed the appropriate tools. Okay, If you know how to tailor and have the scissors, you are not automatically a fancy new fashion designer. To become that, I needed to create my own cutting pattern and mugs.
Than it was time to find a good Mini. In the beginning I had a Cooper S MK1 in mind, to be as close as possible to the original. But due to the rarity of those Minis and to keep costs low, I decided an ordinary MK2 would do the job nicely. Just external door hinges are a must. I found a 68’ MK2 body shell on wheels that was of the road since the mid 80th. Before I could start with the transformation into a Broadspeed I had to start with the regular restoration work.
First step was to visualize the idea with photoshop. The surf blue Broadspeed photo is currently a simulation but will be reality in the near future. This helps a lot when motivation disappears due to excessive body works or other backstrokes.
So long
the Doc
All my long-term Mini projects took a time period of more or less nine years each. These was usually caused by changing circumstances and personal situations. In 2015, as my last project was about to be finished, the idea of my next project was born. I wanted to focus on something more challenging rather than just restoring another Mini.
I always fancied the Broadspeed GT. But with the remaining number of only a hand full of original Broadspeeds, the chances to find and acquire an original wouldn’t be realistic. And from the craftsman’s point of view, I don’t like the idea of material change within a single flat surface (rear side panel: half metal / half glassfibre). Thus, I decided to build my own full metal Broadspeed GT. But this of course needs some good preparation and planning. The first years I basically spend with researching details. Before, I was only playing with the various parts of the different Minis versions, particularly the early ones. Now, the possible parts range immediately extended to various British cars of the late 60th. Especially cars I had never heard of.
On the other hand I needed to extend my personal skills. Shaping metal into a particular form is something totally different then exchanging rotten body sections with available replacement panels. As an aircraft engineer by trade, I was only taught the metal basics. After a while I found an academy in Germany, which train classic car restoration skills including various metal shaping classes.
To use the new skills, I also needed the appropriate tools. Okay, If you know how to tailor and have the scissors, you are not automatically a fancy new fashion designer. To become that, I needed to create my own cutting pattern and mugs.
Than it was time to find a good Mini. In the beginning I had a Cooper S MK1 in mind, to be as close as possible to the original. But due to the rarity of those Minis and to keep costs low, I decided an ordinary MK2 would do the job nicely. Just external door hinges are a must. I found a 68’ MK2 body shell on wheels that was of the road since the mid 80th. Before I could start with the transformation into a Broadspeed I had to start with the regular restoration work.
First step was to visualize the idea with photoshop. The surf blue Broadspeed photo is currently a simulation but will be reality in the near future. This helps a lot when motivation disappears due to excessive body works or other backstrokes.
So long
the Doc
Jip me to, great project.
. I will also be following this project for inspiration.
