Jonesy's 1983 Austin Mini Project

Well this is how the story goes..

I sold my 106 Gti on sunday the 13th then i was on the look out for a classic mini as iv always liked them!

Jumped in my mates van yesterday and drove from Cambridge to Luton (hours journey) to go see a mini, got there everything seemed okay, looked tidy, engine looked extremely clean and he said he had just has it 'rebuilt' so we swapped money for keys and i was on my way home.

Got about half way home, i was 2 miles from the black cat roundabout if anyone knows on the A421 and there's this loud rattling noise coming from the engine and a loss of power, so i flagged my mate to pull over asap.
We stopped in a lay-by and as soon as i put my foot on the clutch the car died and wouldn't start again.

So i called my breakdown cover and he came out and had to load it up and take it home for me.

Iv now checked it over and it appears that the head gasket has gone!
Iv since contacted the guy and he's 'surprised'... helps me a lot!.

But here it is anyway:

Austin Mini 1000 City E
1983 998cc









she needs works doing obviously, but i do have plans for her till i get fed up lol.
I think this will be my last project before i decide to stop wasting my money and start being sensible =]

looks nice and its not a waste of money if you enjoy doin it

Last project??? this is your first proper project mate

But i'd be having serious words with the bloke who sold you the car mate

ah gutted for you mate

looks bloody clean though you give much for it?

where did the gti go?

paid £1750 for it which isn't too bad not too much rust to deal with apart from most of its on the floor, but it won't see much rain hopefully!

Think the gti is now in kent =]

Jonesy wrote:

paid £1750 for it which isn't too bad not too much rust to deal with apart from most of its on the floor, but it won't see much rain hopefully!

Think the gti is now in kent =]

Might see the old girl still then when i'm down my mum's in kent

Jonesy wrote:

Got about half way home, i was 2 miles from the black cat roundabout if anyone knows on the A421 and there's this loud rattling noise coming from the engine and a loss of power, so i flagged my mate to pull over asap.
We stopped in a lay-by and as soon as i put my foot on the clutch the car died and wouldn't start again.

The joys of classic mini ownership lol. When they are running there wicked fun to drive. Looks like a good one.

How it looks atm (bit less paint as iv done more since)

Will hopefully have all the paint i want off tomorrow and then get it ready for its first coat of primer.

head gaskets are easy to do on mini`s trust me!!! ive got 2 of the bloody things

Worked on it for about 2 hours today before i nearly froze to death in my garage, so i won't be doing anymore till iv picked up a heater =D
Which will also help for when i spray it because the cold will make it bloom.

Also did a little masking up ect (don't worry still more to do)

This is the little baby that is doing the job for me =D

Iv now applied my first few coats of primer and its not looking too bad.
Needs another rub down before the final coat of primer.

A bit of an update started spraying and nearly done now =]

getting there bah

Scott's hidden talent!

Instead of doing one huge update at a time im just going to do what iv done there and them

Well today i got my chrome number plate light housing, so swapped that with my tatty painted one.
Plus i got rid of the rear bumper due to it looking so crap! And put the cleaner ftont ond on the back so my brand new one will go on the front.

I also received new set of arches but they havn't gone on yet.

Anyway heres the pictures: