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Rebuilding a 1989 mini


Mungler
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My advice would be to forget about it and if you still want one look out for one that already been sorted these things are good if you have the skill time and space to do it but tend to be a money pit you buy it for say £1500 spend £6000 getting it to look rite then after a while get bored and end up selling it for £4500 so why not just spend the money on a good one to start with.

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Hi bud, iv rebuilt my fair share of minis (including an fra grp shell with custom everything.)

 

Pmme and ill see if I can help you out..

Hi bud, iv rebuilt my fair share of minis (including an fra grp shell with custom everything.)

 

Pmme and ill see if I can help you out..

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Here you go boys, I was looking at ebay item 281247244887

 

He's down the A12, not far from me and by the look of it, he's done the spade work / heavy lifting. If I was going to start a project like this I would take his belt and braces approach and it strikes me that if the project gets finished off the car will last 20 years.

 

The key is that I would want it returned to look like a mini mayfair on the outside (original wheels and exhaust) but on the inside uprated, breaks, suspension, steering, half roll cage and f-off power output engine. I reckon it would be massive fun.

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Those aren't original sills he's fitted they're wider 'oversills' that are normally bodged over rotten originals. There's no venting so if moisture gets in then.....

 

I'd also want to see the doors fitted and bonnet on, with the amount of bodywork he's done the gaps could be all over the place (although to be fair they're

never perfect at the best of times).

 

I'd also warn against thinking this could be a 'cheap' project. You'd be much better spending your money on a good example, but take someone who

knows minis along when you're looking. A pretty rotten car can be made to look good with a bit of effort.

 

Don't forget it's a mini, even if it's in a temperature and humidity controlled garage and never taken out in the rain, it'll rust!

 

Nial ('93 Rio).

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xlnt little cars cut my back teeth repairing building them for a mini specialist back in the 80s/90s when I was in my 20s.......................................aaahhh those were the days had a one with a 1380cc lump idf webber sticking out of bonnet and a jack knight straight cut box bloody brill fun

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The key is that I would want it returned to look like a mini mayfair on the outside (original wheels and exhaust) but on the inside uprated, breaks, suspension, steering, half roll cage and f-off power output engine. I reckon it would be massive fun.

 

Although I have owned a mini I didn't tinker with it, but I modified an MG Midget engine which is the same, but a couple of things...

If you massive power output one of the first things to go would be the exhaust

If you intend to do that with an A series motor you will have to spend a reasonable amount, or find some other mug who has already done it, and buy that.

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I did several minis back in the 80's, stripped to empty shell, all welding (self taught), new rear sub-frames, sills, floor pans, A panels etc., teardrop mounts on front sub-frame, re-sprayed and rebuilt. Stage two cylinder head and twin webbers, would leave XR2's in the dust!

 

Do it yourself Mungler; DIYtastic!!! (sorry...)

 

Mike.

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