Hey all for anyone who doesnt know im tom and about 2 years ago i discovered that the mini i had just bought for parts was a rare sunshine.
ive spend the last 2 years totally stripping and welding plates in the countless rust holes that were scattered all over the car. It was a mess but i contunued the work, after all it was a sunshine.

I finally welded up all the holes and started bogging but soon realised my uni and work schedules didnt really give me enough time to work on the car.

I eventually found an awesome ex pannelbeater who lives up on the coast who is a mini fanatic, his family photo album contains likle 50 minis and 2 photos of his family!
He agreed to finish the paint and reassemble for 1500!!! he was a mate of a mate so i knew he would do a good job.

Everything was running smoothly, engine was with grayham car was being preped until we discovered the body of the mini, due to major accidents has been bent. it was a matter of inches which is why i never noticed, but it is so bad that the mini would not drive straight if i got it on the road

due to the fact i have bought loads of parts and the engine been at this moment reconditioned i really need a new body. All i need is a rolling shell preferably a clubman shell as the parts i have would fit but at the moment ill take what ever model i can get.

If anybody out there in mini land has a decent shell that doesnt need the months of welding that i spent on the sunshine and wants to get rid of it please let me know.


brought me nearly to tears to find out the car id spent so much time on is no longer usable. I cant giveup on my restoration dream just yet.

cheers tom..

also what do people think about my engine, its currently with grayham russel being totally redone, should i let him continue while im looking for a new shell? would it hurt if it had to sit for a while before being installed???

Cant speak for the man, but he's a busy busy guy.
Where is your build up to? Started? nearly finished? etc

I would call Graham and ask him... see what he thinks about a finished motor sitting there or whatever.

Why cant the shell be straightened? Ive seen some pretty bent cars come out straight as with new technology and machines...

Pete.

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is that true? ive bot heard of anything like that

not heard*

ive been told my the guy doing the car that a new shell is the only good option

Well, I have seen some.
Might not be easy or cheap to fix, but they can do magic these days

Pete.

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definentally get a second opinion.

is the guy doing your shel an (older) guy?

if so he may not eb aware of the new age panelbeating equipment.

talk to a local crash repair place taht do crash insurance jobs.

alot of places have chassis jigs which pull the chassie right,

its worth it, i have seen soem very bent and mangled wrecks straightened.


good luck.

not sure where ur location is, but tehre is a free clubby shell in the for sales if needed

cheers jamie

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-jamie-
1963morris 850
1965 solid side van
1994 rover racecar

Fair enough, it all depends on where, how, etc etc so maybe thats the only option... I was just saying, I HAVE seen bent cars come up nice... very nice.

Pete.

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Click here for the Turbo Conversion Thread!

no no thanks for the advice i will look into it just depends on cost, may be cheaper to get a new shell.

it might be cheaper in dollars to get a new shell, but in terms of man hours you and others have spend on the current shell......

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78 Leyland Mini - Prince

Even if you cut the hole in the new shell's roof to fit the sunroof, be aware that there are roof stiffeners about the hole that will need to be removed from the old shell and spot welded into the new one.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Can you post some pictures??

I find it hard to believe that you would not have picked up a bent shell by now....is there a crease in the roof??? are the sills straight??

It may be just bent sub-frames which is another thing altogether

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"Show me the Mini!"

if i were to bend the chassis with a jig can this be done after painting.

i drove the car home before stripping it and i didnt notice any driving problems

if i were to finish the car/paint etc would i then be able to use a chassis jig if i did have steering problems??

or is it a before paint job?

a new shell would be cheaper if anybody has a good one i could use.

best to do it before paint, so you dont damage the paint, i would think

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78 Leyland Mini - Prince