Lone Star Mini Restoration

[MiniDave]

I really like that red netallic, wonder what color code that is?

[Lone Star Mini]

I really like that red netallic, wonder what color code that is?

Not sure, but Bruce is still down there.  He can maybe find out for you if you have his contact info....

[BruceK]

No. I'm back at the hotel now -  where, based upon the way it is parked, a Smart car is trying to put the moves on Emma!

[BruceK]

I spoke to the owner who told me he had to do some rust repair on that Mini when he bought it and he painted once done.  And I believe he painted it the car's original color.   It's really a 1999 Mini so, if it's a Rover color, it should be easy to determine.

[BruceK]

Nightfire Red?

[MiniDave]

Maybe, but didn't they offer that on new MINIs too? Seems to me it was a much darker color than that appears......

Edit: yes they did.....

[Lone Star Mini]

Dave.. here's a closeup of the color as I liked the wheels on this mini... 

[BruceK]

Hey I recognize that building In the background - that's the MINI factory in Oxford.    A lot of classic Mini's were built there too.

[Lone Star Mini]

With a full restoration in mind, any tips on what holes are needed to be made in the shell before paint?  Our current mini undergoing the restoration is an '82, but I want the final Mini to be as modern as possible.  Here's what I'm thinking, but not exactly sure what I need to know before paint.
- Radio antenna - I believe I want the shark fin on the roof
- Wheel Arch Attachment - do I need to drill up these holes before paint?
- side blinkers (currently does not have them)
- New Cobra seats - not sure what the seat frames are like, but I expect they will need new mounting holes
- Muffler?  I believe I want a different muffler yet I don't know what I want nor the available options.  Either way, will they require holes?
- I now LOVE the 3rd brake light Bruce has.  Will that wiring require a new hole
- New wiring holes - speakers, and upgraded systems
- what am I missing?
Speaking of holes, do all the internal threads need to be covered or perhaps reamed out after paint?

So many questions...

[Lone Star Mini]

No. I'm back at the hotel now -  where, based upon the way it is parked, a Smart car is trying to put the moves on Emma!

Wow..  the size comparison.  How is the length compared?   So how did the name 'Emma' come about? 

[BruceK]

Hey I recognize that building In the background - that's the MINI factory in Oxford.    A lot of classic Mini's were built there too.

My brain is fried from the heat..  may I ask what you talking about??    Speaking of Oxford.. here's three for you.. that my Daughter took last month during her summer course there...

Behind the Nightfire Red MINI that Dave posted is the Oxford MINI factory.  Technically it's southeast of Oxford in Cowley.    Used to be a Morris car factory.  In the 1960s they also made Minis there. 

And were your daughter's photos taken from Carfax Tower in Oxford?

[BruceK]

No. I'm back at the hotel now -  where, based upon the way it is parked, a Smart car is trying to put the moves on Emma!

Wow..  the size comparison.  How is the length compared?   So how did the name 'Emma' come about?

The Mini is of course 10 feet long - the Smart is about a foot shorter.  But it seems much bigger in  comparison – I guess mostly because it is taller. 

I'm not really sure how I picked the name. In fact, I've never named any of my cars before. And I used to think it was kind of goofy to do so.  But one day earlier this year I just felt like my Mini was a girl she needed a name. Had to be Emma.  She's part of the family.  Like a pet. 

Oh, and today I found out Tiffany's Mini is named Basil.  Daves old Mini was named Buzz.  Still is with the new owner too. 

[Lone Star Mini]

.
[/quote]
Behind the Nightfire Red MINI that Dave posted is the Oxford MINI factory.  Technically it's southeast of Oxford in Cowley.    Used to be a Morris car factory.  In the 1960s they also made Minis there. 

And were your daughter's photos taken from Carfax Tower in Oxford?
[/quote]

She wasn't sure of the tower name, but she believes you're correct.
I'm impressed with your mini history knowledge. 

[BruceK]

I Randy, I've picked up an awful a lot of useless Mini trivia over 4+ decades of being a Mini nut.  ;D


My wife and I took a tour of that factory in Oxford that's how I know what it looks like.

[BruceK]

When I get back home I'll post some info on that 3rd brake light.  No special hole is needed, the wiring can go through existing holes behind the rear seat.

[Lone Star Mini]

When I get back home I'll post some info on that 3rd brake light.  No special hole is needed, the wiring can go through existing holes behind the rear seat.

Thank you Bruce

[Lone Star Mini]

Would love input from the Mini Wise bank..  while I do not have the center pole type rotisserie, I plan to attach my rotisserie in the following manner.  Would love feed back before I continue and possibly apply load somewhere I should not.  I realize the shell is approx. 300 lbs so I'm not terribly worried, but..   

-  First:  should I tack weld some cross members to the shell now or should I have already done that before I removed the subframes?  If I'm not removing any body panels, do I need to reinforce to prevent twist?
- I plan to attach the front rotisserie arms to the front subframe mounting locations as shown in the first picture - I feel safe with this choice
- I plan to attach the rear rotisserie arms to the locations where the shocks penetrate the boot (this is the one I'm a little concerned over)
- I had to do something today towards the mini restoration so I fab'd, sanded and painted the front rotisserie cross beam.  I plan to use the drop-off material as large area washers on the bottom side of the attach points to help spread the load.
- I will use Grade 8 bolts, but haven't quite figured out what size yet.  Tomorrow I will make the rear cross beam, but would love to know if  my path forward is acceptable.  Of course now I'm concerned on whether I should have already spot welded some cross beams to keep the shell from twisting.  Thanks in advance for any input!! 

[MiniDave]

Unless you are going to replace large chunks of sheet metal you don't need to weld in cross braces, but...........the only downside to doing them is that sometimes they're in the way of the work you want to do.

The places you've earmarked for your attachments is perfect.....

[Lone Star Mini]

Unless you are going to replace large chunks of sheet metal you don't need to weld in cross braces, but...........the only downside to doing them is that sometimes they're in the way of the work you want to do.

The places you've earmarked for your attachments is perfect.....

Thanks Dave!!

[94touring]

Any of those spots will work. 

[MiniDave]

Dan, don't you use the bolt holes for the master cylinders in front?

[94touring]

Yes I do.  But nothing wrong with using the tower bolt holes.

[Lone Star Mini]

Yes I do.  But nothing wrong with using the tower bolt holes.

Thank you all.  I will continue forward then although my time this week is minimal.. 

[Lone Star Mini]

Would anyone know who might sell these wheels?  I've looked at Huddersfield, mini sport and mini spares with no luck.  These are 13", but I'm hoping they are also available in 12".
Thanks

[Lone Star Mini]

I may have found them although these are anthracite and 7x13