Project 'Tommy' - 1996 Equinox Spi

Hi All

I thought I'd start a project thread as what was a sill/floor replacement seems to be turning into a 'project'!

A bit of background to this:

I bought an SPi Equinox (named 'Tommy' after my Grandad who loved Mini's and owned one) last November from a garage as it seemed to be OK having had a new respray etc. I know, how naive can I be! (since learnt fast!). The car was falsly advertised with work listed that transpires to have never been done. We're now going through the court process so will keep you up to date on this.

Anyway it transpires I now need to do more to it than anticipated and to be honest I quite enjoy doing this where I feel confident - this is where Gumball comes in as the first bit to do is to replace the heelboard - something a bit critical for a newbie so many thanks for him to offer to help. I did look to getting it restored elsewhere originally, but the costs were high (Deans!) and several local garages never got back to me so I thought - why not, this is what owning a mini is all about and duly found a welder and a hideous amount of imperial tools!!!

I hope to move through the car gradually getting it up to speed and bringing it back to close to how it was - removing those 13" wheels (for sale!) and arches and getting it back to 12" etc. I'm new to welding so will be practicing hard and learning fast, and probably asking lots of really silly questions!!

Items that need looking at are:

Brakes - pretty useless and the main reason why the car is now SORN in my garage! - rear ones have been seized for ages by the looks - both quadrants have not moved for a considerable time! The rear brakes are rusted up so badly they need replacing. The brake pipes were an MOT advisory, so these will need replacing.

Holes - patch up all holes as and when found!

Doors - both in a bad way, rusted at the bottom. The passenger door I've now found is not bolted on, it's welded! (and fits badly)

Sills/Floors - all need attention!

Front - needs a new front end, with a badly fitted wing and A panel and also rust elsewhere I suspect this will evolve into many/most front panels!

Engine - would be nice to clean it all up a bit when I get to the front of the car - have the usual 3rd to 2nd gear crunch problem, but thats to sort further down the line!

The saving grace is the engine itself is a really good runner and reliable, having serviced it recently and fitting a new alternator/battery/extra earth points etc...

How the car passed an MOT just prior to me picking it up is again dubious - friend of a friend in the trade I suspect !!

Thanks again for Gumball with the impending help (panel on order!), and Johnnie for letting me have the ramps for a good price, and Wingnut for letting my kids eat his birthday cake! I've been to a few meetings but not really had chance to chat to anyone yet - maybe I can start buying pints!!??

I hope I don't make too much of a fool of myself on here and will try to check if not sure about anything, so please bear with me. There will probably be highs and lows, but I get inspiration from looking at other peoples projects to see the results!

First pics are really how we found him:

Tommy, after we got him - don't be fooled by the paint job!! (yes I know!!! )


Typical hole. I feel like Fred Flintstone!!


Meet my hedgehog! - does this car look like it was serviced 500 miles ago??


Wondered why he was a bit bouncy!! (now replaced with GAZ adjustables)


Brake pipe!


Fuel Filter (now replaced using a Corsa filter to avoid further rusting - same cannister type but uses rubber push on hosing at either end to ease future changes!!)


more to follow on progress....

You've got yourself a nice little project there. We all live and learn, I'm sure we've all been 'had' at some point in our mini ownership. I know I have in my 15yrs of mini ownership.

I try and pass on all my experiences (good and bad) and I'm sure others on here will also.

Good luck with the court case, was it a local garage?? (pm if you dont want to say on here, if you can say at all that is)

cheers, the garage is in Cambridgeshire. I'm pleased with the car generally (love the Equinox trim and don't see many in Grey!) and did get it for a good price, but just resent being lied to. It was supposed to have just been serviced, have new brakes throughout and a complete new front end!

They even listed the parts that had been 'changed' in the service and made an entry in the log book with their stamp and signature!

Not sure how it will all go but just hope to recoup some costs of the project if possible....

We look on this as a rescue car, hoping to give it a good home after some abuse - sad isnt it??!!

update of work done over Easter...

Tommy about to be stripped!


Rear subframe removed for inspection of heelboard and underside of the back of the car.


Seized handbrake quadrant!


Heelboard


Stripped the subframe and evaluating .... sandblast or attack with drill/wire brush??


Decided to use drill/wire brush as it's not too bad - spent the day annoying the neighbours and then undercoated it..


Voila, ready to put bits back on...

looks like you've been busy over the wkend.

Very busy indeed........

Lots still to do........

Give me a shout when you want me to pop over and take a look for you...

gumball wrote:Give me a shout when you want me to pop over and take a look for you...

...will do! - waiting for the postman!

.... a few more pics

Better pic of drivers rear wheel arch - this hole seems to grow each time i see it! - got an outer wheel arch panel on order for this so the shape matches easier....


Removed the old battery box in preparation. I'll leave this out until heelboard done save knocking heads!!

Not been able to do too much more as I've been waiting for parts to be delivered, so decided to clean up and paint bits!

Rusty cone!


Cleaned, painted (replaced if needed) and ready for fitting....


..all under the watchful eye of my quality control, called 'George'!


Thinking ahead I've two queries!

1. How tight do you need to tighten brake pipes? Got a new set from DSN and justing thinking it through!

2. What is the best way to clean the rear tappered bearings, since they are out might be an idea to service them. They don't seem worn at all so will probably keep just need to get old grease out etc. I'm not sure they come apart??

Be carefull not to over tighten the brake pipes as they are not structual they only need to seal, Its more important an get all the bit as clean as possible.

Its not worth cleaning the bearings, Replace them is always the best option,

Buy some new exchange units and PLAY IT SAFE...

Had a very productive day today, with bits actually going back onto the car and finishing with less holes than started with! - many, many thanks to Gumball for coming over and showing me the ropes with welding today, it's very much appreciated - learnt lots over his shoulder!!

Pretty sorry sight...



Heel board removed ready.....



... for some new metal!



... and more!



Now will be able to prepare underneath and look to getting the subframe/rear valance on before moving towards the front...

The work you are doing and the rate of progress is brilliant. Obviously Tommy isn't going to languish at the back of the garage. I look forward to meeting you and seeing Tommy when he is fit.

Just out of interest, was the Cambridgeshire garage a smallish place with a PE postcode? pm Me if you don't want to say in public. I have a good reason for asking.

Matthew

... smallish yes, but not PE... maybe Cambridgeshire's full of them!! ;-)

I can't take any credit for todays work, but this has allowed me to overcome a hurdle so I can do more....

Looks like you are having fun mate, always good to see a fresh breath of life being pumped into a classic mini.

Good luck with the rebuild buddy

Shaun

Yes it was a very Productive day and most of the back end now fully welded......

With all these sunny evening you should have it painted very soon....

Have fun......

ps you have PM