Mk1 restoration...what have I let myself in for!
Turbo Mini Forums

Thanks for all the comments, its nice getting it back on all wheels and to know that everything fits!

Flame - I haven't got round to grinding them down inside yet, but im hoping my tiny grinding wheel will just get in there, otherwise it'll be the carbide burr again!

Oh yeah and I too have doorstep alignment issues too, I may have to drill the spot wled off too the floor and pull the door step 5mm forward.

Edited by matty on 12th Nov, 2010.

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

Matt, have you got a powerfile, these things are mega and great for awkward places, get zirconium belts (blue) though as the red ones are crap.

Mine is like this, once you have one you will find hundreds of uses for it.



Mine came from Machine Mart I think, not horrendously expensive either.

No I haven't but it looks like a handy bit of kit! How long do the belts last?

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

The red ones not long as they are for wood really, the blue zirconium ones quite a while, you can even grind the heads off bolts with these in 60 grit.

Just looked on the net and there are places doing them for £34 plus £6 post, the best £40 you will spend for tickling down welds in awkward places.

I've got one of them. Cracking bit of kit for tight bits. I did a bit of rough porting on a manifold with it once...

Well here's a couple of pics...not great!






Well ive found some more gremlins...

The corner panel has just been lapped over the middle section. I didn't need the grinder it just peeled off with some pliers.











I have also managed to discover my drivers door is WELL beyond a reskin, so will be on the hunt for a replacement door.

And my boot is now it two seperate pieces...ready for a re-frame.

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

Here's the boot lid. It looks worse than it is, strangely the skin is solid just with a bit it of surface rust and the frame is shot to pieces? :?



Scuttle is now removed, and has given a lot more access to cleaning the bulkdhead up.



The back end is now all finished and etch primed up.

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

Good progress as always,although is seems a shame to lose the one off "over scuttle"!

Wow, great work, and great dedication.
Looking good pal :)

you do like a challenge!!

That doesn't look like a MK1 boot lid, the skin looks like a MK1 but the frame looks newer.

On 21st Dec, 2010 matty said:
Here's the boot lid. It looks worse than it is, strangely the skin is solid just with a bit it of surface rust and the frame is shot to pieces? :?

Edited by Rob H on 24th Dec, 2010.

Why?

Double skin was only on some mk1 and mk2s.

On 24th Dec, 2010 Rob H said:
That doesn't look like a MK1 boot lid, the skin looks like a MK1 but the frame looks newer.

On 21st Dec, 2010 matty said:
Here's the boot lid. It looks worse than it is, strangely the skin is solid just with a bit it of surface rust and the frame is shot to pieces? :?

i have the actual fiberglass doors that was on this if your intrested?

Thanks for the offer but I really want steel doors. Ive just been reskinning one of them today infact!

I managed to get a few hours in the garage today...

A very nervous moment removing all this at once!



This was the door I was going to scrap, but ive now decided to rebuild it as it could take months to find a good one.



A nice repair by the previous owner ...



After the bottom frame had been removed. Im not sure what to do with the drain pipes, as they don't look like they can be removed? :?



Custom panel made by M machine that im very pleased with!

Edited by matty on 26th Dec, 2010.

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

That door frame isn't too bad. There's a good write up on retro rides about forming metal panels from scratch, includes forming curves in 90 degree folded sheet.

Ive finally managed to get some time in the garage again!

It doesn't look like a lot of progress...but the bulkhead is near enough all cleaned up and ready for the whole front end to be welded on. Im hoping to get the front end on in the next couple of weeks.

Door frame all finished and painted in the closed sections



I decided to redo the bulkhead plate, as I made a bit of a mess of it last time round! :lol:

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

I started fitting up the A panel today. Its not looking all that bad to be honest, I couldn't get a pic as I haven't got enough space in the garage. The front lower corner need a little off the door and the catch area needs a bit of reshaping, but apart from that it looks good!

Here's some pics of where I got to today. Just waiting for the front panel now, to check the alignment of the inner wing then I can tack in place. Im going to crack on with the passenger A panel in the mean time, whilst its fresh in my mind.

Pics aren't great...but you get the idea!

Edited by matty on 19th Jan, 2011.

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

Always injoy ready your updates keep up the good work.

So... the 'race' for finished shell is on then

looking good Matty. keep it up

top work as usual matty!

Thanks for the comments.

I got the front subframe back on...a bit of a nervous moment as I was worried that the bulkhead might of distorted as it was very floppy with both inner wings removed and A post. Thankfully everything bolted up fine!

Im still waiting for my front panel to arrive but I trial fitted the old steel removable front and it lines up perfectly with the bonnet, scuttle, front of subframe etc...just need to resist the temptation to weld the inner wing in now before I recheck with the new front panel. :lol:

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

Resist.... check check and check again.... looking good )

Almost looking like a complete car again

I know, its been a while since it did!

I'll be glad when all the grinding is done, it kind of limits the time I can work on it during the week.

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi