Now keeping my minor any tips on staged restoration

Post by **ssnjimb** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:18 pm

Hello Folks

I have decided to keep my minor now after some helpful advice

He needs work doing and i cannot afford it at the mo.

He has mot until June and runs and drives needs some welding done to the floor and all the wings replacing.

Any ideas on what i need to do to get him healthy again

Post by **d_harris** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:24 pm

I would compile a short script with everything you know about the car and its history first of all.

Decide on a price and post as many pictures as you possibly can and as much info.

Above all, be honest with exactly what needs doing....

Post by **Blaketon** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 1:34 pm

Don't do it

Post by **ssnjimb** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 1:38 pm

i want to buy one with all the bodywork completed

Post by **Jefftav** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:36 pm

You still have plenty of time MOT wise so could you not stage the work so that the most immediate structural work is done first then the less important cosmetic work carried out later. You know what you are starting with so hopefully there won't be too many nasty surpirises. Also if you are handy with the spanners and have some spare time you could do some of the distmantling work yourself.

If you decide it is too much for you as Dan says take photos especially of the problem areas and be as hounest as you can with a buyer. Lastly try to sell it with some MOT left as in theory it can be driven away which is always better than having to mess on with towing or borrowing a trailer etc...

Post by **PSL184** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:30 pm

I really don't get the obsesion with dumping a car that needs work and buying a better one (I'm not having a go at anyone so don't take the huff please). Just my observations - A car that needs much work will be relatively worthless - A car that is mint will cost a fortune - Then there are all those in between to which you don't know what hidden horrors are hiding. For me, if you have a car that you have owned for a while and you know inside out, surely it's best to stick with it and learn as you go along ?????

Post by **StaffsMoggie** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:38 pm

I quite agree PSL. I would never sell my 4 door, even though it needs a fair bit of work now. If I sold it I would be lucky to get a pint for it and a car with all the work done would be much more expensive than what it will cost me in panels and materials to do mine.

Post by **ssnjimb** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:49 pm

Iam making myself a plan regarding repair work What i might do is strip the car down of its interior and just keep the drivers seat installed so that i can get the welding done. The front wings are fibre glass so are not urgent. It needs a new rear spring kit. It needs a patch on the drivers side chassis leg some welding to the inner sills and underfloor.

I need two rear wings does anyone have any doesent matter what colour as long as they are solid.

Jamie

Post by **Jefftav** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:53 pm

Well done Jamie, It really doesn't sound that bad but be prepared for a few surprises.

Post by **ssnjimb** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:55 pm

Its the box sections that iam most worried about as the bolts that hold them on underneath are seized.

Welding first.

Thanks for all ure help especially Jeff and Psl

Jamie

Post by **taupe** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 6:17 pm

Hi

First step is to evaluate what needs doing on the bodywork.

If you can manage with just the drivers seat in - then strip out the carpets and rear seats to inspect the floors and open up the sill covers to see what its like in there. If the bolts are seized - Grind them off!!!

Post some pics on here and you will get lots of helpfull advise.

You can then decide if youre going to weld yourself or get a repairer to do it for you.

Worth enquiring if there is a local college doing vehicle body repair classes (these are usually evening classes). I did several of these courses and they help so much you wouldnt believe how quickly you can learn to do major repairs with a bit of advise and guidance.

Its a good decision to do rolling repairs on a known car, you just tackle a bit at a time and as each repair is completed you know the car is improving and your nearer to your goal.

Post by **PSL184** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 6:25 pm

One step at a time Jimbo - get it stripped - put some pics up, and we'll go from there. Good decision by the way. From what I remember yours is a nice car and could be great with a little work....

Post by **d_harris** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 6:42 pm

Great, my first -post doesn't make any sense now!

Good luck with it, sorting out a car is very very satifying

Post by **StaffsMoggie** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 6:46 pm

Exactly. Take out the interior, then you will see what you have in store. Take a few pics and lets see. It doesnt sound anywhere near as much work as mine.

Post by **ssnjimb** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 9:12 pm

I will start the strip after christmas but i will take some pics of the car tomorrow and start a restoration topic in that section.

once again thanks for your support everyone

Jamie

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 9:14 pm

Not understanding 'box sections - the bolts that hold them on are rusted' ? If it passed MOT last June - it surely can't be all that bad ?
You need to prioritise structural work first - work that must be done to get a new MOT. Making it 'look nice' is all very well - but it needs an MOT first!
Anybody nearby that's willing to help with some welding - or even just loan of equipment ?

Post by **chickenjohn** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 9:48 am

ssnjimb wrote:Iam making myself a plan regarding repair work What i might do is strip the car down of its interior and just keep the drivers seat installed so that i can get the welding done. The front wings are fibre glass so are not urgent. It needs a new rear spring kit. It needs a patch on the drivers side chassis leg some welding to the inner sills and underfloor.

I need two rear wings does anyone have any doesent matter what colour as long as they are solid.

Jamie

Don't get the welding done! Do it yourself! get a Mig welder such as the clark 150 turbo (or whatever the current equivalent is), go on a night course and learn to weld. It is not as hard as some people make out and tremendously satisfying to do it yourself. You will then find that you are in a Minority of classic car owners that truly have the future health of their car in their own hands.

I would consider replacing the whole chassis leg, depending on how the rest of it is. Trouble is, chassis legs rust from the inside, the rest could be rotten on the inside, and the sound appearance of the outside is paper thin. `if the inner sills need welding- do you mean the inner sills step or the under floor sill /floor edge panel?

By the way, rear wings can be repaired, not always necessary to replace.

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:12 am

not every one wants to do the welding themselves, either no intention, lack of space etc

i have seen a few cases where people have spent out money to do welding themselves and they can not succesfully do it then give up

if a small amount of welding then get some one else to do it,

Post by **PSL184** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:16 am

Mobile welders, around here, charge £20 - £25 per hour. This can work out well for you if you prepare all the area yourself and have the car up on stands ready. You could get two or three areas prepared and ready then call the guy in for an hours welding rather than an hours welding and three hours prep ;-)