Munster Mini - '98 Cooper Restoration

[Billy]

You'd swear there was a race on between myself and Darran. As of today, the Munster Mini has received its fourth and final coat of Flame Red paint. It was still wet when these photos were taken. The white roof is already painted and covered.





It's drying out today and being allowed to cure for a few days. Friday should see the polishing finished.

Next job is to build up the new subframe so that I can bring the Mini home next week.

Billy

[BERT]

Looks great !nearly there

[Billy]

As an aside, here are photos of Martin Murray's own Mk1 Moke. Anyone who has attended the Charleville vintage show in recent years will recognise it and will have admired the workmanship.



Billy

[Billy]

Here's how it looks now and it looks gorgeous. Martin has deliberately held off on the final polishing until I have the new subframe built up to allow the paint to cure. Once I give him 24 hours notice of when I'm ready, he'll have it buffed up and ready to go.



Billy

[macker]

looks really well Billy

[Billy]

looks really well Billy

9 weeks to get it ready for the IMM. That's the real test.

[joebe1]

Bring Joe Conboy down, he ll have it ready in 9 hours

[woody]

I sence a meeting being called

[Billy]

Confession: I've never removed a rubber cone. And the simple reason is that I've only ever worked on hydrolastic Minis from the '60s. Everyone had told me that removing a cone without the right tool is a tricky business but thanks to getting the loan of the right tool, I removed both cones in jig time this evening. Here's the correct Churchill tool:



And here it is in action:



Now to order replacement cones, rebound rubbers, knuckles and other suspension bits for the new subframe.

Billy

[BERT]

Make sure you get the correct knuckles there two types, It should be theese ones

http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx? ... 829&title=

[woody]

I spy vented discs, what calipers you running Billy?
Are you going with the smooth a ride?

[EAMOSPUD]

Billy Love the portable work bench you have the subframe on.

[Billy]

Billy Love the portable work bench you have the subframe on.

It was perfect for getting the subframe out of the boot and into the garage. And then the wheelbarrow tyre deflated for additional stability.

[craig_farrell]

looks lovely man good job on the spray aswell

[Billy]

It's a long time since I got excited about getting my hands on a box of rubbers:



I can finally start building up the new subframe. New cones and Hi-Los haven't arrived yet.

Billy

[Billy]

Cracking up. At the point where I could start using very unmoderatory-like language about MiniSport. Ordered a Smootharide kit from them 3 weeks ago and rang last week to confirm. They never contacted me to say there was a delay. Reconfirmed everything on Wednesday last week and rang them this morning to find out where my package is. Turns out it only shipped two days ago. Still no sign of it but according to the tracking number, it is somewhere in Ireland.

Compare their service with Somerford Mini. Somerford will ring if there is a problem and their packages usually arrive in 3 working days. Only dealt with MiniSport because they do the Smootharide kit.

Pressure is on to have the Munster Mini ready for Switzerland. Maj suggested we use the Hornet but as it's only a 998, it wouldn't be powerful enough to tow the caravan up the Alps!

Billy

[The Marcos Graveyard]

Bring a tent instead of the caravan. Save a fortune.

[Billy]

Typical. 10 minutes later and a GLS van appears outside:



No excuses left. It's out to the garage for the day.

Billy

[keith]

looking good.

[Kenneth Murphy]

Typical. 10 minutes later and a GLS van appears outside:

hate that!!!

[Billy]

Dropped the rebuilt subframe to the panelbeater this morning so should have it back later this week.

Spent the afternoon doing comparison tests between Vanish, 1001, and Lidl's finest upholstery cleaner. The front seats are manky so it will be interesting to see which works best.

Billy

[macker]

I'm betting on Lidl's finest getting the job done

[pn951]

When you have gone so far with the exterior, would you not take the seats and carpets to some professional valeter to get cleaned? They mightn't charge an arm and a leg when the bits are already out of the vehicle making their job a whole lot easier? Just a thought....

[Billy]

When you have gone so far with the exterior, would you not take the seats and carpets to some professional valeter to get cleaned? They mightn't charge an arm and a leg when the bits are already out of the vehicle making their job a whole lot easier? Just a thought....

Simple reason for doing it myself: I'm skint after paying for the bodywork! Donations welcome.

[The Marcos Graveyard]

I have a basin of fairly clean water here if it's any good to you.