DodgySam

pics as promised. So now I can sand and clean up the engine bay and give the motor and gearbox and subframe some much needed love.

So Tom came round today to do skids in the paddock and I convinced him to help me lift the mini off the engine/subframe. So its free of its engine. Didnt get pics sorry but I MAY take some later.

This must be some kind of record...for me. The first door took 5 years to reskin...and this one took a week and a half. And it only took that long cos I ran out of gas for the welder. So I guess I should start on removing the engine or something.

Have gas will weld. Updates to come soon...Promise!

The drivers side door is almost all welded up. Then I wonder why my welds are getting shitty...turns out Im out of gas! BLOODY TYPICAL!!!!! Oh well will get a refill on Friday and get back into it. Will be able to get onto the surface rust on the inside though so atleast I wont be standing round with a thumb up me bum with nothing to do.

So trying to keep up the momentum! Remove the drivers side door skin. This is the puke that was inside the doors. This one isnt as bad as the passenger one but still pretty shit! And get this bit of new steel tacked in before I have to go make dinner. So lets see if I can keep this up for the rest of the week...actually I wont cos I have to go to dinner tomorrow night. BUGGER!!!!!

Holy crap I just went back and realised it has been 5 fucking years since I cut the skin off this door! Bloody hell I am world class at faffing round!

So this may look like a picture of a mini on blocks but dont be fooled! This picture represents a major milestone! The passenger door has FINALLY had all the rust cut out. New steel welded back in surface rust sanded back. Dynamat. Cavity waxed and finally a brand new door skin lovingly folded around it. It even works! The innards are in it and its window goes up AND down and the door lock even works!. Yes it still needs 4 spot welds and the window seals etc put in but the seals will wait until the paint is done and I will do the spot welds a bit later...probably after I've done the other door...as Id rather do them at the same time. So anyway...thanks for enduring my post. Ta.

Please tell me your family van is a rotor bongo on 17" chromies?!?!?!?!

VW vr6 motor? Just to be different/a cunt.

OK...So found a place in Te Puke that is a mini specialist so I got a set of these and cut out the appalling ones I had made and badly welded in a few years ago. So I thought Id just throw on a couple of tacks and finish it all off on the weekend. Turns out I got carried away and next thing you know it was all but done. So today after work I attacked it with the grinder and flap sanding wheel. I couple of pin holes to fill and a crack or 2 where I hammered out a couple of low spots and I THINK its ready to put the innards back in it and reskin the fukker. Im quite pleased how easy it all was and now Im not sure why its taken me this long to get on to it! Will start on the disassemble of the other door and crack into it maybe on the weekend.

The new bits of steel for the inner doors turned up today. Have pretty much welded 1 in so will finish it off tomorrow and grind it back. Pics of before and after later

Will have to be the rideon...Corolla had naughty engine. Believe its eaten its piston rings. Im currently using Toms Jeep...WOW that thing is scary to drive!!!!!

sure Come down anytime whens easter?

Just ordered some repair panels too... So I guess that means Im actually gonna do more work on it!

yeah I watched a bunch of those...that would be a fun wee car to drive when finished

Holy shit balls I actually did some work on this today! Decided that my next project to keep me busy should be this. So I picked up a grinder and tidied up some VERY ROUGH WELDING from last time I tried to fix the rust in the doors and then did some welding on it too. So The door is still on the welding bench so it will see some more work. So I guess is what Im trying to say is...Watch this space!

OK I admit it...the scoop didnt come out half as horrid as I had preticted. I hope it popped out of the mold as I predicted it would. And that badge is awesome...I wonder where I got it from/Im so talented with a grinder!

My GOD that thing looks like fun!

I agree with Dudds...we need more of this. I think if I am super nice to the wife she might not break my arms if I suggest one of these for our place.

Im with Vince on this one.

You've trespassed in my dreams XSsteve!

He likes to have it tied back in a top knot...cos hes so hipster!