HOW DIFFICULT WOULD THIS BE(PICS ADDED)

[samuria]

can you helpfull people tell me how to sort this out, or what would be needed to turn it a convertible [frame][/frame][frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[MarkyB]

Has it been crashed or rolled?
What condition is the windscreen frame?

[samuria]

the guy hit a huge pot hole which flip the car into a hedge, the only damage is what can be seen + the rear wing has a couple of dents. the windscreen seems ok the car was rolled

[MarkyB]

Got any more pictures?
The windscreen may be OK but how is the frame? That will remain if you make it into a convertible.
Does it drive OK not pulling to one side or "crabbing" (back wheels not following the front wheels).
Is the car very sound? and MOTed?
A search on this forum will bring up the details of what is needed for the conversion, basically extra strengthening to the chassis and angle brackets under the dash.
I wouldn't pay more than the scrap value for the car because that is what it's worth.

[samuria]

these are the only photos. they arent to clear, it seems not that bad to me

[MarkyB]

It was probably a nice car before although it might be a nice paint job on a rotten car.
Now it's a write off that could be turned into a convertible with a lot of work and quite a lot of money.
Don't fall for the line that convertibles sell for £4000 so this car must be worth £1000 it isn't.

[LouiseM]

Wasn't this car on e-bay earlier this week, described as "having been in an accident with a branch" ?

the only damage is what can be seen

As the car has been rolled, presumably at some speed if a pot hole caused it to turn over there's likely to be more than 'superficial' damage. If you're planning on turning it into a convertible you need to have a good, sound chassis to start with - it's not as simple as just cutting the roof off. I'd have the car properly inspected if I were you to check for any structural damage.

[Steve_PFJ]

Would be a lot of work, but cheaper than converting it... Dare I suggest a new roof off a donor?

Steve

[bmcecosse]

As Louise suggests - there is bound to be some damage to the suspension/chassis leg where the wheel went ito the pot hole if it threw the car into a hedge!

[samuria]

hi folks, when i bought the car it was a mess, oil all over the engine bay etc. gave it a good clean, changed the battery+ points now runs very sweet. had a go at the dents in the o/s wings they arent to bad. its just the top of the pillar thats a prob. as for the suspension its ok. one thing cant get it in gear while its running!!!! clutch pedal goes flat to floor, but put it in gear with clutch pressed right down and start it i can move the car on the clutch HELP [frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[ASL642]

Personally, I wouldn't touch it. It looks like the "B" post (behind the drivers door) has "bloused" out. The whole car may be badly distorted. Not a good project IMHO.

[MarkyB]

Where are the rear wheel nuts?

Everything has taken a beating, you need to go over it all and see what has cracked or distorted before ploughing time or money into it.
Just getting it looking OK externally isn't going to make it a good car.

[samuria]

i took the wheel nuts off to get to the wing. the underside is okjust needs a couple of bits welding on the sill area. i think it looks worse than what it is.

[chickenjohn]

Take some measurements from a known good (i.e. no accident damage) Minor 2-door and then measure the same points on your car. If your car is very close then you know the damage is just cosmetic. Other than that it might need pulling on a jig to straighten it out. There is the danger that the shell is bent and the car might never drive properly.

On the bright side, the Minor monocoque is a lot stronger than a modern car so you could be lucky and be OK with just cosmetic repairs, pulling the dents out with a slide hammer and dollying it all up. I would check it all carefully though! I hope you know how to panel beat properly or it could end up worse!

[samuria]

what would be the best way to sort out the b post!!!!

[chickenjohn]

Can you please post some more pictures?? The one you have of the B post is blurred, from one angle and therefore difficult to see what the problem is. This is a 3-dimensional problem and difficult to visualise with flat photos.

Please, post sharp focused pics taken from different angles of the B post area, either side, above and below and, inside as well, if you have removed the trim.

As others have said, look at the chassis legs for damage and measure everything up to ensure the B post is not the only problem area. There is a diagram in the BMC workshop manual and by using plum lines from various points on the car, and marking these points on the garage floor, intersecting lines etc, you can determine if the structure of the car is bent or not. It is about assessing the car as a whole and seeing if it is repairable and not just thinking about the B post.