mk1-forum.net

Hello everyone,

I'm new in the MK1 and mini world and I took the task of bringing back to live this little fella (see pictures attached, I don't know how to post pictures as I write, than info would be helpful too )

I removed some panels and it is quite rusty, it just came from blasting and I have some questions about how to proceed, hope you may help me:

As you can see, the floors are completely gone, those will be changed, also the A pannel, ineer A pannel and wing. My question now is how to proceed: is it better to start with the floor and then build up? Is it better to start with the front end?... How would you fix the A pannel section? It is a bit bad and I wouldn't know how to start. Any help will be appreciated.

PS. I'm based in Shrewsbury, if someone has experience and want a free box of beers, you can come by to see the car and offer some input.

Thanks in advance.

Alex.

Hi Alex
Welcome to the forum.
Having just spent 3 weeks chasing rusty metal panels and making patches to let in, on one of my minis, upon reflection I should have bitten the bullet and fitted new panels quicker and probably better in the end.
The purists will tell you to keep as much original as possible... however it's not them doing your work.
Whilst I agree to some extent, I feel that it's better to do a comprehensive job than endlessly chase originality.
If yo can afford it buy new, especially floors.
Good luck with the project will be worth it when finished.
p.s I've already bought new panels for my next task HDK443E renovation.
T

Welcome to the forum.
I agree with changing the panels in large chunks, have you seen Paul Wiginton on facebook or YouTube.
D

Yes, another recommendation for changing whole panels. In the case of my car, it could have had bits let in here and there but as I wasn’t doing the work myself the labour cost was actually cheaper to replace large chunks.

Good luck with the restoration.

Can't tell much about the rest of the inner wings from the pictures but I'd be keeping them and repairing as necessary. Floors and door apertures are too far gone to save.

Looks like the start of a great thread Alex. There's been a few on this forum who have detailed restorations right from start - worse that yours, believe me - to finish. Look back and try to find Andrew1974 and Daz plus Mini Surfari. Great picture perfect restos and all the inner detail too. You're going to get a LOT of info from here from others too, who have been there and done it.

Someones already suggested, a new floor assembly is a good start as it's already jigged up, ready to go.

Exactly what car are you starting with? Cooper, S, standard 850? Keep a detailed photo log as well.......

Thank you Peter for the info! I will check those two users and see how they did it. My main problem now is "what to do first", I hope that I will know seeing their examples.

The little one is an 850 Super De Luxe.

I will post more pictures along the way!

Alex.