I picked this up today from a guy in Warragul, he says he bought it from a guy in templestowe a few months ago but has no time or $$ to start it.
I must admit its pretty bad but after a chat with a welder mate of mine I have decided to try my utmost to rebuild the body and bring this panelvan back to life.
Due to its condition I have named it "Elvis" cause it's had more hits than the legend.

Pics that I took when I got it home can be seen here

http://s691.photobucket.com/albums/vv27 ... 0panelvan/
Thought I would get some basics before I went crazy on it.

Be happy to hear your thoughts and ideas and any tips on replacing e metal in the various areas that it is missing from.

Cheers
Nicho

Body code is YJBAV2R and engine code is 8Y/U/H
From what I have found out its supposed to be an 850 engine but it was supplied with a 998. Any info would be great as it seems someone took one of the body tags so this is all the info I have. It's thought to be a 66 but that's yet to be confirmed

Wow, its worse than ours! A lot of work to do there.

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

you can do it!!! nice project,love vans..

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First you get the money,then you get the power,then you get the Mini.

Honestly it doesn't look good, I saw a fair bit of structural damage but don't take that the wrong way, it can be repaired it'll just be a good challenge.
It's probably what the English mini screen would consider a standard repair job .
Where are you located? and good luck.

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

Good luck!
The feeling when it's done will be worth every second and dollar!

Lots of work needed there.
And I thought my Clubby van was bad!
My rust repairs are nothing.. (front panel, RH guard and a few rust holes...)

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I've taken note of the rust in the structual areas. Lucky for me i have a mate who makes trailers for a crust and has access to tig and mig welders we would die for in our garages also plenty of good steel..
Going to make the worst area the first area to start and see how it goes. If its worse than first thought i will have to rethink it.. It would make a great mini trailer but these are getting so rare i would love to save it, and mini vans are just so damn cute.

I like your attitude, i hope you can save it.

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Dog Food! Most kids like it more than Broccoli.

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 10:37 am Post subject:

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I like your attitude, i hope you can save it
i also like


minis unite and take over the world

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65 panel van Sprog
73 panel van Iggy

I've been looking for the right project for over 3 years now and let one slip away on eBay because it was the wrong time.. Now I already have a mini project on the go so im hoping to learn enough to bring this Van back to life.. Elvis deserves better than its gotten so far. I actually had to drag my self away from him today I was already working out this and that and was reaching for the tools when a mate turned up and distracted me with a 6 pack.
I want to start it right now but I have to wait until the clubby is on the road or the wife is gonna kill me.

Worse case scenario is I have to pay a pro to do the structural work and we do the bits and pieces but I really want to see Elvis back on the road in the next 12 months. I'm not giving up on him

A little info if anyone can help out. On the body plate there is a serial number! Is this relevant in any way. Mine is from memory 516 now does that mean its the 516th panelvan or mini overall? And can I trace the vans history from this serial number?

516 would be the 16th one of that model.
I reckon it would have been made in May 65.

Awesome thanks.