Having made pleasing progress with some of the smaller parts, I was ready to tackle the passenger side A-panel, which was even more rusty than the driver’s side.
Once the internal panel was removed, a small repair to the external panel was needed, and then the new internal panel could go in temporarily.
The corners of the windscreen scuttle were typically rusty, so we ordered a couple of non-genuine repair panels. The quality of the repair panels was… disappointing. Here’s a picture that’s worth 1000 words (most of them curses).
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I ended up using the bare minimum of the repair panel, but even that needed modification.
Early Minis had a panel that protected the hinge mounts from road spray. It seems like a sensible idea, so I made my own version.
More poorly- disguised horror lurking in the rear seat back. The brushed-on underseal is a clue that this was a less than conscientious repair.
This area contributes to the lateral stiffness of a Mini’s shell, so needs to be strong. More welding!
In hindsight, I really should have just replaced the entire boot floor/seat pan. This is why you have the shell stripped before commencing repairs.
Brian made a few notes about work that would need doing:
Headlamps have water damage (but they’re British Pre-Focus units anyway, so will have to go)
Something suspicious is happening around the front wings.
Not sure why the roof has rusted just in the middle- maybe the previous owner was short and couldn’t reach that spot when waxing the car?
Look at that gorgeous engine bay!
The drop-down number plate in action.
Moustache and whiskers are still there, but there’s obviously some rust there.
With a switch panel this complex I’m not sure the Dymo labels are necessary.
It still has the original service book! Well, *an* original service book from a Mini.
A small obsession 