Another project car

[racingenglishcars]

My neighbour Peter just acquired this nice project car.
Free execpt for towing costs.

https://s183.photobucket.com/albums/x288/frogeye61/Minis/

It's a 1977 and has a good but tired 1000 cc engine. It has all the body and interiour pieces missing in these photos.

He doesn't know how to weld, but has ambition and has completed larger projects before, just not CAR projects. He's hoping to get it done in 3 years because then it will be an antique and can be registered and insured for very little money.

I would love to help him, but I have my Frogeye, electric Fiat, 51 Jeep, House and the usual small projects already. I'm just hoping that after a couple years he will realize it isn't really his cup of tea. Then he can give it to me!

 

[dklawson]

I didn't see detailed photos of a few areas I'd be concerned about. How are the sills? The floor rot doesn't look bad. If your inspection system will allow patches, that should be easy. The picture looking down through the rear lamp opening concerns me. Boot floor repairs appear necessary and they can be a lot of work. Since the boot floor is in need of help, be sure to have your friend look at the heel board below the back seat. That has to be in good shape for the rear subframe. It's a labor intensive repair.

I assume there's an engine somewhere for it?

Doing work yourself and working evenings and weekends 3 years sounds about right. Wish your friend luck and let us know how he's progressing.

 

[racingenglishcars]

Sills are actually quite nice. Patches are also allowed. I was wondering if an entire boot floor would be in order. I told him to change the entire floor. It just seems best.
The engine is in the trailer next to the car.
Thanks. Donn
I guess you wouldn't know, but I lived in Raleigh when I was 1-3 years old.

 

[dklawson]

Doing entire floors is certainly possible but it's necessary to really brace the body before cutting the old floor away. It's much more common to replace floors 1/4 at a time. I also like ridiculous amounts of originality. Therefore, I patch what I can so the lion's share of the panels are original. However, that's certainly not for everyone.

So you lived in Raleigh when you were 1-3 years old? I did too. Actually I was there from about 1-18 and then off and on for a few years until moving out of state and then... moving to Durham when I was in my late 20s.

 

[racingenglishcars]

Old thread, new car!

I have just gotten a line on a 64 850 Mini for 1500kr (294 USD). I haven't seen it yet, but it should be in reasonable condition, minor "typical" rust, no motor, gearbox or interiour.

I fortunately have a fairly good 998 motor and gearbox and some aluminium wheels. This sounds like the project for me (as if I don't have a lot of other projects going on right now).

I will go down and see it this Sunday and then post some pictures. I've really been looking for a Series I for a long time... since I sold my '61 about 17 years ago when I left America.