Wohoo New Old Car Time

[Tupers]

I know there are a few guys on here who like Minis and everyone else who doesn't clearly need converting.


I really loved my '96 Mini Cooper but I've wanted a Clubman estate since I was a nipper and now I finally have one. Granted it needs new doors all around, inner and outer sills and maybe a step sill but considering what they normally go for I'm happy.

Clicky

[kwkride]

Congratulations!

Looks like a fun project!

[Jeepial]

Damn I didn't even know they had a mini wagon..

[dieselfuel]

those are my favorite minis. cool project man, make sure to keep us updated.

[Tupers]

I forgot I'd started this thread so figured I should probably sling in some new pictures.

Got it it back to the work shop.





Striped it out.




Pulled the engine, suspension and ancillaries.




Now an empty shell.



And this week I rolled it on its side and starters cutting the rust out.

[JasonInAugusta]

Have fun with that.

I hate dealing with rust.

[EeePee]

Originally Posted by Tupers

And this week I rolled it on its side and starters cutting the rust out.

Anything left?

[72Blazer]

And I thought thins rusted here in Florida by the beach.Glad its you and not me.Looks like a fun project though.My wife is actually looking at the new Clubman,she likes it.Waiting for their little SUV to come out.SHe wants a little more room than the Clubman

[slobin3d]

With it all stripped out it kinda looks like a stripped out IH scout 800

[Tupers]

So I've not updated this in ages because I completely forgot I started it.... Again

My battle with rust ended a few months ago after I cut out most of the drivers side sill/floor.


We made and fitted a new inner sill.


Welded on a new step sill.


I cut out a new front floor pan and Dad welded the top side in a left the bottom for me to do once the car was back on the roll spit.






I even managed to get a few decent looking welds on it.


I've seen Minis with MDF centre consoles before and you can buy them from a few companies but I didn't like the look of them so I made my own in steel.


I stared out making the centre section.




And then moved onto the front.




I wanted this to be a bit different and handle better so I cut of spare wheel well and built separate steel fuel tank and battery boxes to get centralise the weight over the rear wheels.

This is now it started.


One massive chunk of steel removed.


Dad gave me a hand to roll a few beads into the tank box to stiffen it up.


I then folded it and got the sides welded on and checked the fit.


And used the same method to make to battery box.


Here they both are welded in with a length of 1" box section between them to add a bit of extra strength.


Finally this week I made a start on the new rear seat. They are Rover metro seat frames that I've moved back 10" for more leg room as I'm only 5.7' and struggle to sit comfortably in the back of one of these.


The basses been a fair it of modification to fit around the rear arches.


I braced the frame and cut it to pieces.


Bent the front straight with the help of a bit of heat.


And cut off, flipped and reattached the back piece of the side to wrap around the arch.


And just like the the seat frame now sit nice and snug with the inner wheel arch.


Now I just need to get some steel to finish off this side, do exactly the same to the other side and cut of the sides up and weld the together to make on seat frame.

[canadianbacon]

Coming along nicely. There's a pretty sweet Mini in the next subdivision that looks like one of the smaller hatchback ones, but it almost looks like it has a trunk on it that sticks out past the rear window. I've never seen one before so I have no idea what it is lol, but it looks awesome.

[dman1101]

Nice I love the classic minis. I restored a '72 with my buddy 8 years ago and love that car. Hard to find in the states got his in Canada and had to do all sorts of fun stuff to get it legit in the states. Looks like yours is coming along great, typical rust spots(all of the mini)

[Tupers]

Originally Posted by canadianbacon12

Coming along nicely. There's a pretty sweet Mini in the next subdivision that looks like one of the smaller hatchback ones, but it almost looks like it has a trunk on it that sticks out past the rear window. I've never seen one before so I have no idea what it is lol, but it looks awesome.

Thanks for the comments guys, canadianbacon12 that Mini you've seen sound like either a Wolseley Hornet or a Riley Elf.




A while ago I welded u the hole on the body for the fuel filler and this week I decided to hinge on of the rear light to hid the new one.

I started out by making a chunky hinge and a back plate for the rear light.




After a few adjustments I welded everything in place and now have a suer cool hinging rear light.





I also decided a few week ago that I wanted a smoother look for the car so after a seam welds where laid I ground the vertical body seams off.









There's lots more build thread here.

[Tupers]

Not been on here for ages and thought I'd stick some pictures of the car up for you guys. All the rust has been cut out and replaced with new steel now and I got it rolling this afternoon. I've also picked up an Eaton M45 supercharger to give the new engine a bit of a boost.

All in the car's about 48 inches from the ground to the rain gutter at the top of the A pillar and has about 3 inches of ground clearance.

[Duuuuuuuude]

All that work and the steering wheel is still on the wrong side.


That's going to be a cool ride.

[crash]

Just the coolest little cars.....

[jhtoy]

When I looked at the first couple of pics and all that rust I thought you were in for a nightmare but you and your Pops obviously got it under control.Looks real good so far!Thats gonna be one fast go-kart.

[Knarly Nerd]

I feel like I'm watching the story board version of "Wheeler Dealers". Nice work, buy the way.

[halfcab]

Go look thru the build thread link he posted HUGE amount of work in that little car, tons of cool little mods on it

[Tupers]

Thanks for the kind words guys, I wasn't sure what you'd think of it considering you could probably drive it under a dually.

I'll make sure I get back on here with the big updates for you guys to drool over.