1979 Mini 1100 Special:
Summary:
| Rating: |  |
| Owner: | njb@shedtastic.co.uk |
| Date Built: | 1979 |
| Date Bought: | Aug 2000? |
| Purchase Price: | £500 |
| Last Valid MOT: | 1999? |
| Total Milage | Row 2 Column 2 |
| Milage Since Bought: | 14 miles! |
| Nightmare Faults: | Rust.. |
Blurb:
Hmm.. Progress has been slow on this 'fixer-upper'. I changed the subframe mounts, and, erm, that's about it.
Well, I did get a mate round to start welding up the floor - but we're still only 60% through the tinworm amputation.. Still I'm holding his welding gear hostage, so he may be back soon to finish the job..
Once the welding is done, there's just the binding brakes (std Mini problem of rounded off, seized adjusters and a wedged drum), one Radius Arm, an exhaust, a tune up, some electrical gremlins etc etc..
The photo above shows the 'as bought' condition, still on the previous owner's drive, near Leamington. Slightly crusty around the edges, I was sold on the prospect enjoying the 1340cc motor under the bonnet.
However, in the time I've had it it's only made it from the trailer to my garage under it's own power...
As bought: Front valance | As bought: Engine Bay | As bought: front footwell, slight rust.. |
| Pic4 | Pic5 | Pic6 |
Main rust areas were the front footwells (see above) but there is plenty else where too..
Being a "Special" (20 years of Mini production?) it got trick alloys, and a clock. (Mounted in a huge plastic centre console that leaves nowhere for your clutch foot..)
Oh, and a sticker on the steering wheel.
Don't get me wrong, overall it's pretty solid, but it's gonna take me another 6 months..
Updated 1/4/02
Well, it's been a while but today the Min went in for it's MOT...
We've been busy and the floor is patched up in nice solid stainless steel (which means the patches will probably be the only bits left in another 2 years..), new solid subframe mounts have been fitted, the rear subframe & radius arms have been replaced, the exhaust fixed, the indicators fixed, boot floor welded, rear brakes stripped and replaced and a new grill fitted. Leaving the car looking pretty tidy ish.
Mid bodge: Whole front end reallyneeds a new panel, but for the time being.. | Floor repairs: rear patches & hammerite | Floor repairs: front footwells |
Cooper S decendant: while brakes were beingfiddled with I briefly had a newer Mini | Cooper S decendant: while brakes were beingfiddled with I briefly had a newer Mini | Looking good: If slightlydown at the nose.. |
But still it failed.
This time the sidelights have decided to pack up, the freshly fixed brakes have decided to leak everywhere, the steering rack gaiter is split and there are more holes in the boot floor.. Oh, and the MOT man mistakenly thought it should have a rear fog light. Back to the ramp..
| Ratings: | | |
| Age (max 1) | | - Not tax-free though.. |
| Decay (max 2) | | - Plenty of rust, only mild mould |
| Impracticality (max 1) | | - It's a Mini, and I live near the sea.
It will be a pile of brown powder by Xmas |
| Toys (max 1) | | - Cigar lighter?
(Good going 4 a mini..) |
| "Oomph" (max 1) | | - Should be good, but can't really tell yet |
| Deductions | | - |
| Total: | | - |
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