Charlie - Mini Mk3

[Jared Mk3]

Fitted MS gas struts today before she goes back for paint. They work really well and handle the weight well - I'm happy. Picture (excuse the dust on the car please) :
 

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New acquisition today :
 

 
It's an Austin Apache TC one, bought for a bargain. It'll be sent off to a place in Durban to be repaired at some stage this year.

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A big package arrived :
 

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These came out the box :
 

 
Set of standard width Group 2 arches (only the RHS in the picture)
Mexico chin spoiler.
 
And, a test fit :
 

 

 
She does look a little over arched on the front, but that's only because I haven't yet cut into the arch to get around the seam strip. Have to trim a bit here and there, but so far, I'm happy with the fit and quality.

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Got the RHS ones fitted up today. Still need to modify the front a bit, but the back is how it will be fitted, apart from the rubber strip between arch and body. I'm thinking of keeping the arches and spoiler black, what do you think?
 

 

 

 
I'll get some better photos once everything is fitted up properly.

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Finally have all the arches fitted and modified. Might need a little more work here and there before paint, but they're 99% as they'll be fitted. Only problem I've come across now is that the front bumper is quite bent and it shows, especially with the spoiler sitting underneath it. Just means it'll need some manly work done to it. Anyways, here's how she looks at the moment :
 

 
Just imagine it a little lower now.

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This what I did to the arches to make them fit the bumpers of the car.
 
Front :
 

 
Had to slot and file away at the lower front section.
 
Rear :
 

 
Had to just file away so it fits nicely.

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She got a fuller bum today - added the bootlid :
 

 
Looks really neat now.

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Not much in the way of progress, been trying to make some headway with the bumper and spoiler to line up. Rather than get irritated about it, I left it for a little and went and did some work on it today. It'll be going back to the paint shop next weekend for some touch ups, a polish and the roof to be done in a pearl to match the body, just have to decide what colour to go for. 
 
Got these today :
 
998 Cooper speedo :
 

 
Early 'S' rearview mirror :
 

 
Got them for some good prices too.

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Gave the parts a bit of a clean up. Didn't want to make a big job of it, I like the patina that they have about them as is.
 

 

 
What the gauge pod now looks like :
 

 
And a vacuum gauge my brother gave me :
 

 
Last few things to do on the fiberglass items and then give the car a good clean and she's ready for the paint shop.

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This is what the front spoiler looks like now. You can see the cutouts for the number plate brackets and the extension pieces for the over riders. I think I'm going to make it black, but can't decide between satin or gloss black :
 

 
This is what the bumpers currently look like. Managed to straighten the front one out as best I can, but you can still see how bashed up it is. I need to give them a proper polish, new rubber strips and some paint underneath.
 
Front :
 

 

 
Rear :
 

 

 
Will update with some pictures soon.

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Polished up the chrome on the bumpers.
 
Before :
 

 
After :
 

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She had some work done on her this morning. Fixed up the main area which was the front fender and then the dashboard. Did a few touch ups here and there. 
 

 

 
The front fender before :
 

 
The front fender after :
 

 
Also got some colour on the arches and spoiler (the booth was dark by then, sorry for the bad quality) :
 

 

 
Needs a good cut and polish now! Yet to decide on the roof situation though.

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Forgot I had these extensions, so slipped them on last night :
 

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Got a box today :
 

 
And this came out of the box :
 

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And she's back home :
 

 

 
Just have to get the arches and spoiler back on Saturday after a polish.

[Shukran]

Jared - I read somewhere that the Mini Spares bonnet gas struts interfere with the wiper motor, is this true?

[Jared Mk3]

Jared - I read somewhere that the Mini Spares bonnet gas struts interfere with the wiper motor, is this true?

I have a picture somewhere of them fitted with the wiper in place as well. Mine is the single speed motor, so has a slightly smaller motor end. The two speed one is a bit bigger I'd imagine, so could interfere. The best would be to check with everything in place.

Mind you, it also depends on the car having in/outboard hinges. I've seen them fitted to later cars with the outboard hinges and they seemed to work fine. They really do make a difference.

[Vinay-RS]

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I always knew you had a thing for really big wheels

[Dion]

How long have you been busy with it? I imagine you really want to get to drive it.

Do you still have the original engine?

[Jared Mk3]

I always knew you had a thing for really big wheels

It does look like it, doesn't it? 

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How long have you been busy with it? I imagine you really want  to get to drive it.

Do you still have the original engine?

I've been doing this on and off for the last 8 years now. I started when I was 14 and with little knowledge. Lots of time, money, saving of money and patience has brought me here. I cannot wait to get in her and drive.

I still have the 998 that came out of her. It was a replacement motor, so only has like 13000 miles on it - runs so sweetly. I have a plan for an engine build down the line as well at some point.

[Dion]

Why don't you put the 998 back in, at least you will get to drive her around and show her off :-)

[Jared Mk3]

Why don't you put the 998 back in, at least you will get to drive her around and show her off :-)

I'll be putting the 998 back in for now, so she can be used. I hope I can get it done soon. Need to make a fairly expensive purchase for it soon though.

[Jared Mk3]

So I had a few minutes after studying today to fit the tail lights :
 

 
Forgotten how good her bum looked :
 

 
She needs a really good wash and a vacuum now, then I can start adding some bits here and there in my free time.

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Bought some replacement over riders for the rear bumper. They're much better than the originals :
 

 
As as some replacement refectors. Now I can pick and choose between these and mine :
 

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Fitted up the bumpers and got everything bolted up. Used brand new bolts and cleaned up the originals on the over riders :
 

 

 
Also fitted up the correct reflectors in their holes, as well as a new and correct boot rubber.

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Fitted the grille and buttons this afternoon :

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Fitted the arches today with a rubber strip for protection and looks :
 

 
Here's a close up of the fit :
 

 
I think it looks like it was made to fit this, but that's just me.
 
I fitted all four, but the darkness and a thunderstorm was coming in, so I'll have to take pictures tomorrow. I might just keep the white roof.

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I took the car out this morning while there is some bright sunshine. This is what the front looks like :
 

 
And the fitment by the front bumper :
 

 
It took me ages to get the slot in the arch just right for the bumper to slide into. Also, the front arches weren't designed to go down so far, they're supposed to sit above the bumper, but then again, even that wouldn't work as I'd have to modify them to fit as well (the Elf/Hornet bumper sits a lot higher). Also, I much prefer the look of them fitted like this, it looks neater and it'll also make the car look lower than it actually is.
 
Lastly, a full side view. You can see how blue she really is (absolutely filthy though - makes me sad) :
 
 
 
This view really makes me wonder about some banded steelies.

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Finally got my dash :
 

 
Had it made up here by a local guy using aluminium. They're both the bigger versions and not the usual one big and one flat panel. As you can see there is still some work to be done, but I'll do that all myself to save money and have it exactly as I want it. Need to decide if I want to polish them up or paint them. Decisions . . .

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A slightly better picture of the dash :
 

 
Still have to cut out and things before actual fitment. Managed to get the front plates to fit better as well.

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Decided to do something different and came up with this :
 

 
It matches the doors now. I won't be doing anymore - subtlety is key here. There's a couple small bubbles and lines, but it'll be covered by the seat, so it's ok. I still need to do the passenger side as well.
 
Also fitted up the front spoiler to see how it'll look :
 

 
And a view from the other side now :
 

 
And a better look at the slot in the front arch (she's filthy, please excuse that) :
 

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Well, I fitted up the rear Hi-Los today and also put the shoes and cylinders in the wheels. I just need to get the clevis pin for the handbrake and give the drums a bit of paint.
 

 
Then fitted up the wheels too (the Hi-Los are set quite low at the moment) :
 

 

 
And I just can't get enough of this end of the car :
 

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I got this from the rusty 1275E we have - it sits underneath the dash (seeing as I want have dash space). I want to see if I can get it to fit with my proposed heater setup. It has a few glue stains (thanks Leyland SA) and needs a bit of bringing back to life in terms of colour, but it's not broken or cracked.
 

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Had a little bit of free time this afternoon, so I finally fitted up the calipers, front pipes and hoses :
 

 
I don't think the silver looks too bad.
 
Then got her on her proper shoes :
 

 

 
She still looks a bit like a gasser at the moment, but an engine will help with that. The front might be slightly over-arched, but I don't mind.  

[Vinay-RS]

Hey man, can you PM me some photos of the rusty 1275E? It may have some bits that I would like