Will try and get some more pics this week. I know the Leyland sticker is wrong BTW engine builder put it on grrrr but the rocker cover was scratched during engine fitting so I am going to finish it in black crackle and have the correct Morris badge on (which I have had sitting around for a year) but will do that quietly over the winter. Engine sounds fantastic with that RC40 centre exhaust. crank and rods are i believe diamond coated (is that correct?) to allow for smoother running apparently.
What a fabulous rebuild and it looks great. Out of interest, why have you fitted a central exhaust and not the standard, while everything else is factory or looks that way to me.
On my old 1275 S, I had the Longman exhaust manifold and I removed the central silencer and just had the rear box. It sounded very Italian and raspy.
Fitted centre exhaust cos it looked fab and sounded fab and reminded me of my youthful experiences in minis. My one removal from original spec other than all bolts are stainless, it's polybushed all round and the suspension whilst original to the car i bought is not to factory spec as it's dry. The car was so rotten but we saved as much as we could.
Harry I figured there were no pockets in shrouds, it was still an asset worth something and could always be sold if needed. It has been complete indulgence and I am out of pocket buy some margin so to speak and the wife is tapping her foot but I'd have hosed more driving a new luxury car out of the showroom. I consider myself extremely privileged to have been able to do it.
It's taken nearly four years with covid and paint accounting for 2 of those but it did allow me to afford it and I did as much as I could myself in restoring parts, fitting the interior (what a pig of a job) and rebuilding things like the alternator (not a dynamo). I can see the finishing line now. In addition it gave a young lad starting his classic business a big assist in getting off the ground. He's a fantastic craftsman with a real eye for detail and the business is now rolling along. We will use the mini to showcase his work in the hope that it helps it to flourish. In these days of constant doom and gloom shovelling by media etc I think positivity is massively important to our mental well being both individually and as a country and local start ups need to be supported if possible.
There has been a staggering number of hours spent on the car mainly in bodywork (door shuts are just bonkers good) and still it is quirky in terms of some things just never fitting even when new (like the grill edge lining up with the body contour) but these things are still one of the most glorious bits of road kit ever made IMO. I've hankered after a cooper s since i was a young lad but company cars and MK1 golfs, splitscreen vw's and caterhams kept me diverted.
I got the work done at a start up hourly rate but to do the car now would be unlikely in terms of affordability unless you are a bodywork guru. As an example, not one panel from BMH fitted. Every one had to be fettled. Most restorers bodge. Paint alone is eye wateringly expensive now. If you are painting a classic to show standard you're north of £10k with some cars like Porsches apparently nearer 20.
I remember the days when paint was a couple of grand. In fact I restored my entire splitty for 13k including purchase and parts back in 1994.
As soon as the seats turn up, it's set up and the alignment is done i will post final pics. Seats are 10 weeks delivery and there are 4 to go.
I've just agreed a price to have the bodywork sorted on our '98 Mini, I'm too busy with a new (to us) house to do it myself despite best intentions, plus we have a '86 to rebuild as well, hopefully we'll finish that one ourselves.
The quote for the paint alone on the '98 is over £5K, I'm glad I was sat down when I read it. I might be able to get it cheaper and will decide nearer the time, it certainly adds up though. Oh how I wish it was an original 'S', it'd maybe make the outlay hurt less, or maybe not!
Caterham and Lotus Seven Club Leadership Team Member
The register for all numbered limited-edition Caterhams ....... www.thecaterhamregister.net ...... www.instagram.com/thecaterhamregister
Looking fabulous
Caterham and Lotus Seven Club Leadership Team Member
The register for all numbered limited-edition Caterhams ....... www.thecaterhamregister.net ...... www.instagram.com/thecaterhamregister
Stephen
Democratic dissent is not disloyalty, it is a positive civic duty
Great news - some more pics please?!!
Bolter, bolter, full power...
Superlight R # 81
Instagram: superlight_r_81
Will try and get some more pics this week. I know the Leyland sticker is wrong BTW engine builder put it on grrrr but the rocker cover was scratched during engine fitting so I am going to finish it in black crackle and have the correct Morris badge on (which I have had sitting around for a year) but will do that quietly over the winter. Engine sounds fantastic with that RC40 centre exhaust. crank and rods are i believe diamond coated (is that correct?) to allow for smoother running apparently.
What a fabulous rebuild and it looks great. Out of interest, why have you fitted a central exhaust and not the standard, while everything else is factory or looks that way to me.
On my old 1275 S, I had the Longman exhaust manifold and I removed the central silencer and just had the rear box. It sounded very Italian and raspy.
Either way, it's a fantastic restoration.
Piers
Piers Rendell
East Kent AR
eastkent@caterhamlotus7.club
Fitted centre exhaust cos it looked fab and sounded fab and reminded me of my youthful experiences in minis. My one removal from original spec other than all bolts are stainless, it's polybushed all round and the suspension whilst original to the car i bought is not to factory spec as it's dry. The car was so rotten but we saved as much as we could.
Utterly love this restore. Exactly as I would have approached it, if I'd had the dosh.
Brilliant WB
Harry I figured there were no pockets in shrouds, it was still an asset worth something and could always be sold if needed. It has been complete indulgence and I am out of pocket buy some margin so to speak and the wife is tapping her foot but I'd have hosed more driving a new luxury car out of the showroom. I consider myself extremely privileged to have been able to do it.
It's taken nearly four years with covid and paint accounting for 2 of those but it did allow me to afford it and I did as much as I could myself in restoring parts, fitting the interior (what a pig of a job) and rebuilding things like the alternator (not a dynamo). I can see the finishing line now. In addition it gave a young lad starting his classic business a big assist in getting off the ground. He's a fantastic craftsman with a real eye for detail and the business is now rolling along. We will use the mini to showcase his work in the hope that it helps it to flourish. In these days of constant doom and gloom shovelling by media etc I think positivity is massively important to our mental well being both individually and as a country and local start ups need to be supported if possible.
There has been a staggering number of hours spent on the car mainly in bodywork (door shuts are just bonkers good) and still it is quirky in terms of some things just never fitting even when new (like the grill edge lining up with the body contour) but these things are still one of the most glorious bits of road kit ever made IMO. I've hankered after a cooper s since i was a young lad but company cars and MK1 golfs, splitscreen vw's and caterhams kept me diverted.
I got the work done at a start up hourly rate but to do the car now would be unlikely in terms of affordability unless you are a bodywork guru. As an example, not one panel from BMH fitted. Every one had to be fettled. Most restorers bodge. Paint alone is eye wateringly expensive now. If you are painting a classic to show standard you're north of £10k with some cars like Porsches apparently nearer 20.
I remember the days when paint was a couple of grand. In fact I restored my entire splitty for 13k including purchase and parts back in 1994.
As soon as the seats turn up, it's set up and the alignment is done i will post final pics. Seats are 10 weeks delivery and there are 4 to go.
Thanks for that WB. Looks like a few stars aligned to enable this project, but nonetheless, it still needed your passion, patience and determination.
Not sure where you are located, but would love to see this in the flesh once complete.
#89 Really good post and comments.
I've just agreed a price to have the bodywork sorted on our '98 Mini, I'm too busy with a new (to us) house to do it myself despite best intentions, plus we have a '86 to rebuild as well, hopefully we'll finish that one ourselves.
The quote for the paint alone on the '98 is over £5K, I'm glad I was sat down when I read it. I might be able to get it cheaper and will decide nearer the time, it certainly adds up though. Oh how I wish it was an original 'S', it'd maybe make the outlay hurt less, or maybe not!
Caterham and Lotus Seven Club Leadership Team Member
The register for all numbered limited-edition Caterhams ....... www.thecaterhamregister.net ...... www.instagram.com/thecaterhamregister