This is my cousins Mini. Its had a new engine and box but now also in need of a bit of welding!
It was dropped off at a bodyshop where they removed the front wings with an air chisel, but other than that its complete.
Today was very much a strip down and poke the crusty bits day, so i started by removing the seats and getting the carpets up so i could check on the floors and sills.
Carpets up and i could see both front floor pans have been dented up into the cabin, probably from careless jacking. Also bits of rust on the inner sills and front bulkhead. The sills have had repairs before and new sills have been put on over the top, so really they need to come off again. Doh!
So i got on with a job i hate and chiselled off the factory applied sound deadening. Then cleaned the residue off with petrol. I was grateful for a windy day so i didnt get a headache from fumes like last time. All that revealed the rust on the inner sills. At least i can now see what needs to be cut out and repaired.
After i could see the floors i had a poke at the rest of the car. Starting at the rear.
There has been a previous repair which is pretty messy and has blown apart the rear seam.
Both rear wing lower edges
The A-post on driver side is pretty scabby, to the point where the door has dropped. At first i thought it was worn hinges, but its actually the whole A-post flexing!!! The driver side has had repairs previously but may need more attention as rust is coming through again.
A bit of a scab on the scuttle, but that panel itself is sound. There are further scabs on the roof and b posts but nothing too bad.
Front inner wing need a repair
Further poking revealed cracks in the inner wings just forward of the damper mounts. Not sure if this is a common thing on minis or if its from a previous accident? Its cracked both sides. Easier to see on the drivers side.
Spent the rest of the afternoon drilling out spot welds at the front of the car to remove the flanges left by the front wings. Then i pulled the front panel off.
I'm going to the BMC and BL show and spares day on Sunday in Peterborough, so i can get photos of minis and how i need to put it all back together!
It was dropped off at a bodyshop where they removed the front wings with an air chisel, but other than that its complete.
Today was very much a strip down and poke the crusty bits day, so i started by removing the seats and getting the carpets up so i could check on the floors and sills.
Carpets up and i could see both front floor pans have been dented up into the cabin, probably from careless jacking. Also bits of rust on the inner sills and front bulkhead. The sills have had repairs before and new sills have been put on over the top, so really they need to come off again. Doh!
So i got on with a job i hate and chiselled off the factory applied sound deadening. Then cleaned the residue off with petrol. I was grateful for a windy day so i didnt get a headache from fumes like last time. All that revealed the rust on the inner sills. At least i can now see what needs to be cut out and repaired.
After i could see the floors i had a poke at the rest of the car. Starting at the rear.
There has been a previous repair which is pretty messy and has blown apart the rear seam.
Both rear wing lower edges
The A-post on driver side is pretty scabby, to the point where the door has dropped. At first i thought it was worn hinges, but its actually the whole A-post flexing!!! The driver side has had repairs previously but may need more attention as rust is coming through again.
A bit of a scab on the scuttle, but that panel itself is sound. There are further scabs on the roof and b posts but nothing too bad.
Front inner wing need a repair
Further poking revealed cracks in the inner wings just forward of the damper mounts. Not sure if this is a common thing on minis or if its from a previous accident? Its cracked both sides. Easier to see on the drivers side.
Spent the rest of the afternoon drilling out spot welds at the front of the car to remove the flanges left by the front wings. Then i pulled the front panel off.
I'm going to the BMC and BL show and spares day on Sunday in Peterborough, so i can get photos of minis and how i need to put it all back together!
it was an easy job in the end 
)
