Stripping or chassis?

[jimbob60]

Hi all,

Hoping for a little advice. Myself and the other half are just about to start restoring our 1000 and I am wondering whether it's better to replace all the floor panels that need replacing 1st.
Then move on to the chassis. Or would it be easier to do chassis with floor panels removed?

Many thanks in advance.

[Mark Wilson]

Well.....the Minor doesn't really have a chassis as such, being monocoque. The floor pans are supported on the sill structures, the centre cross member and the chassis legs (how can it have chassis legs if it don't have a chassis?!!)

You would usually sort out the sills first, then the cross member if necessary, leaving as much of the floor in place as you can, to maintain the shape. Replacement of the floor pans would be the last stage. If you need to replace the chassis legs you may choose (as I have), to leave these until the centre section is strong enough to roll the car over.

There are,of course, many different ways to skin a cat. You could do sills and floors one side at a time if the cross member is sound. You often find that a sill replacement stretches into a front inner wing and hinge pillar job as well.

Whichever way you go, good luck...and enjoy!

Mark

[jimbob60]

Hi,

Thank you for your help. After having a look underneath it appears all parts will require replacing.
Best start making a list of bits!