Adventures with a 68 Mini

[blaked]

Hey friends - Ive really been enjoying this site the past several months and figured it's about time to contribute. Although she needs some work, the condition is light years better than my first mini (perhaps a common theme). I picked up the car in Jan 2015 during a snow storm in Muskegon MI and got about 5 miles before deciding to tow her home. Definitely the scariest ride of my life... Anyway Im debating a restoration but wanted to sort some details first. The VIN is not accurate - does this really matter? I believe the car was imported by Turkys in SC (based on the POs map quest directions) and perhaps there something funny happened with the VIN. Any one have experience with them?

From what I can tell the car is a 68 and the engine / gear box had been exchanged at some point. Besides the mediocre respray - there was an accident at the driver rear corner which resulted in a boot lid replacement and a poor repair on the upper corner at the rear wind screen. I stripped the interior and found several pockets full of change from NZ with the youngest coin from the early 80s. The car has front drum brakes and was converted to a dry suspension (with springs) at some point.

Send me some questions I'm happy to discuss what I've gotten myself into. Clearly there are panel replacements in my future. Looking for insight into how big this box of worms really is.

The car runs and drives and Im happy with the car regardless. Its the parking ability, drive thru in reverse, general driving around, split windows, the timeless shape etc. After I sold my first mini I realized I was a lifer - glad to be back in the game and part of this community! Do you ever walk up to you mini and just look at it for a bit before getting in?

[blaked]

Some problem areas aka the details 

[blaked]

and a bit more

[MiniDave]

My car is a Racing Green special edition, it's titled in Kansas as a '72. I wouldn't try to sell it in California, but other than that I'm not concerned as I have a clean title and it matches the vin on the car.......

[jedduh01]

Welcome!

Pop us some pciture from Under the Bonnet!

Nice little run about =!  Tear it down, thats a LONG project.. How long do you want to go with no mini??

Decisions Decisions!



July 2013!!! Dont forget your First Mini! Time flies!

Welcome to RM!!

[gr8kornholio]

Nice little run about =!  Tear it down, thats a LONG project.. How long do you want to go with no mini??

That is no lie.  I'm in the middle of this and miss the car every derivable day without it.  It's going to be spectacular when it's done, but worth the wait?  Only time will tell.

Welcome!

[blaked]

Hello everyone. At some point this thread has to be revived and today is that day! Ive been working pretty consistently the past year on this project. Before the update, id like to thank everyone on this forum who has contributed with photos of your project. This site, and your work specifically has given me the confidence to tackle this project. I am a true beginner and you've help me a ton.

The shell has been completely stripped, sand blasted, and coated with epoxy primer. Each corner of the car requires work. So here it goes.

I started with a front subframe repair which i'll skip the details unless anyone wants to hear/see it. For the shell, I decided to work on what I thought would be to be the most straight forward repair and work up the complexity as the project progressed. This would be the passenger side front floor repair, inner wing repair, inner hinge panel replacement, outer sill replacement, and outer wing replacement. Somehow I was able to get the inner hinge panel off without sacrificing the outer A panel which was in surprisingly keepable shape. Here's where im at with some historical photos for reference. I was able to keep the door step in place and after a test fit of the door the inner hinge panel, jacking points, slinger brackets, and outer sill will go on. The outer wing will go on when the driver outer wing goes on, in attempt to maintain gaps... maybe.


Feedback welcome.

[94touring]

Nice job on the floor corner repair.

[MiniDave]

Glad to see you back again!

I'm in the process of tackling a similar floor repair, so well done on that....you've got a good start on your project. Are you going back the same color?

Did you mention where you are located?

[blaked]

Afternoon all, waiting for a couple of bits before the passenger outer sill can go on so i started some demo on the drivers side. Whipped off the outer sill and outer wing. Still have to clean up the seams. Looks like some floor repair at the heal board is in order - which seems impossible to access at the moment. Might have to take out the companion bin when the time comes. At some point the seam between the outer wing and scuttle was lead loaded - does anyone do this anymore upon reassembly?

Thanks for the words - Touring.
Dave - we're located in central VA. Upon disassembly of the dash there appeared to be original paint, which i quite like. the current plan is to go back with this color. With the help of some indifferent eyes we think bermuda blue is the closest match.