Hopefully this thread isn't too self-absorbed but I finally have some enthusiasm to get my Mini back on the road 
It came off the road back in March 2003 when I lost all drive during an over enthusiastic hill start ;D. It sat around for a few months in my parents garage until I brought it upto Oxford in August 2003.
It got pushed about here and there while I finished Uni, I'd do bits on it now and then, then lose interest after a while and leave it.
After leaving Uni I had a series of temporary jobs, not really earning enough to spend anything on it.
But lately since starting my new job which has made me alot happier and more pro-active I have got the urge to get it back on the road finally.
So this afternoon I went down to have a look at it where I keep it and was quite surprised how well it has stood up to being sat outside for 3 years not being used.
Alot of the work I did about 18 months ago still looks good, rebuilt the driveshafts inc. the CV joints with new gaitors etc, new steering rack, refurbed my Cibie Super Oscars and just tidied bits up.
Tomorrow I am going to make a start on it by washing it, no small task as it's green all over and moss is growing in the gutters
The plan is to rebuild all the suspension and tidy up the front end, which is starting to rot, with a removable front. The rest of it is solid which is a surprise for a 29 year old Mini that's never been welded.
Some new arches I think as I'm a bit bored of the GP2s now and going to try and get some 6x10" Mambas
I want it to be a usable car too. I was looking at it earlier thinking that it'd be nice to have a it resprayed its original colour, Flamenco red, and start from a shell but then it'd loose its character, the scratches and marks its through being used and the funny smell that it's always had. I want it to be a reasonably quick, tidy car that can be used everyday and not be worried about giving it some beans every now and then
I hope I haven't bored you too much but I have so much enthusiasm now for it, I'm determined not to let it slip.
It's much greener that this now...
and I've always loved my auxillary lighting ;D...
It came off the road back in March 2003 when I lost all drive during an over enthusiastic hill start ;D. It sat around for a few months in my parents garage until I brought it upto Oxford in August 2003.
It got pushed about here and there while I finished Uni, I'd do bits on it now and then, then lose interest after a while and leave it.
After leaving Uni I had a series of temporary jobs, not really earning enough to spend anything on it.
But lately since starting my new job which has made me alot happier and more pro-active I have got the urge to get it back on the road finally.
So this afternoon I went down to have a look at it where I keep it and was quite surprised how well it has stood up to being sat outside for 3 years not being used.
Alot of the work I did about 18 months ago still looks good, rebuilt the driveshafts inc. the CV joints with new gaitors etc, new steering rack, refurbed my Cibie Super Oscars and just tidied bits up.
Tomorrow I am going to make a start on it by washing it, no small task as it's green all over and moss is growing in the gutters
The plan is to rebuild all the suspension and tidy up the front end, which is starting to rot, with a removable front. The rest of it is solid which is a surprise for a 29 year old Mini that's never been welded.
Some new arches I think as I'm a bit bored of the GP2s now and going to try and get some 6x10" Mambas
I want it to be a usable car too. I was looking at it earlier thinking that it'd be nice to have a it resprayed its original colour, Flamenco red, and start from a shell but then it'd loose its character, the scratches and marks its through being used and the funny smell that it's always had. I want it to be a reasonably quick, tidy car that can be used everyday and not be worried about giving it some beans every now and then
I hope I haven't bored you too much but I have so much enthusiasm now for it, I'm determined not to let it slip.
It's much greener that this now...
and I've always loved my auxillary lighting ;D...
