ok...the topic is a bare-shell repaint...my mechanical knowledge is fairly minimal...and my mini works...its a fairly straight 1966 deluxe, has a few dings and dents here and there...but 0 rust except on the driver's side down near the wheel arch...there's a spot of bubbled paint about 1inch square that will need to be looked at...

what i am considering is disassembling the beast myself...and then getting it towed out to the panelbeater and painter to get it totally trued up and sandblasted and rust proofed and then resprayed in beautiful Nissan 350Z Daytona Blue with Pearl bonnet stripes and Pearl roof

then reassembling it myself...

is this possible with my limited knowledge? i will also have to either switch to dry subframes or send my wet ones out to get stripped and powder coated...

i've been quoted between $4500 and $9000 to have all of this done by a professional (including the disassemble and reassemble) which is WAAAAY more than i wanna spend on a paintjob...i do want it professionally painted and panelbeaten though...and was thinking it might be possible for me to take it apart and put it back together myself...thereby reducing the cost to panels and paint...and a few hrs of labor...

you think this is a viable idea? or i should just get them to do the whole lot?

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Bling me up Scotty!
"wait till it grows into a plant...then bunny rabbit THE PLANT!"

1966 Morris Mini DeLuxe FOR SALE

I am sure you can do it.

Taking it apart is easier than putting it back together though!

Just make sure you take lots of photos & label everything as you take it off,
because many months may pass before you can think about re-fitting it

There are instructions on Ausmini for most things (removing subframes, etc), and you can always ask. Even if you get really stuck, it would still be far cheaper to pay for a mechanic to do that one thing and do everything else yourself.

It's a great learning experience, but it does take time...

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Too many cars, and too little time.

Yeah...thats a good point...start off with 10% knowledge of how a mini works...finish up with 80%-85% knowledge of how it works assuming it still works when i'm done

Should I leave the subframes in or should i just drop everything out the bottom, still attached to the subframes? I've heard its easier to take the engine out the top...but i dont have the gear for that...jacking the mini up and then just dropping the running gear out the bottom would be the easiest and most cost-effective way of approaching it i would have thought...and as you say; i'll have a few months to frig around with getting subframes powdercoated and think about getting an A+...

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Bling me up Scotty!
"wait till it grows into a plant...then bunny rabbit THE PLANT!"

1966 Morris Mini DeLuxe FOR SALE

I have taken the engine out both ways, and as you need to take the subrames out anyway, I would drop the subframe with the motor in it. No special tools required, just someone to help you lift the body.

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Too many cars, and too little time.

Nice...thanks for the help!

now all i have to do is make up my mind about keeping it wet or going dry

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Bling me up Scotty!
"wait till it grows into a plant...then bunny rabbit THE PLANT!"

1966 Morris Mini DeLuxe FOR SALE

I thought my shell was like this until it came back from the sandblaster
sad sad day [/b]

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67' Matic
73' S

hmmm...what was wrong with yours?
i am pretty sure mine has been garaged its entire life...it only had 2 owners before me...1 was an old lady who bought the car originally...and then 2nd was an old mechanic guy who loved minis and looked after it really well...its never been sitting out in a yard rotting or anything...so...fingers crossed...its ok

edit: you've got me scared now...if i get it sandblasted and it turns out to be crapola...then i'll be stuck with a huge bill to get it fixed...damn...how can i make sure its worth doing before i get really stuck into it?

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Bling me up Scotty!
"wait till it grows into a plant...then bunny rabbit THE PLANT!"

1966 Morris Mini DeLuxe FOR SALE

Have you done the old magnet test for bog?

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Too many cars, and too little time.

don't be worried i was just saying don't be too suprised if you find more things than you anticipated.

i know all the owners of my car aswell

it wont be crapper than mine so dont worry and i'm still getting mine done it is actually at the panel beaters now

dont worry it will be fine

sorry to get you worried

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67' Matic
73' S

There is no way of making sure the shell is worth doing..Just rember it is over 30years old...but in Saying that...get a nice strong Magnet and a Hanky. the Idea is to rap the magnet in the hanky and go around the shell if it sticks its Metal..if doesn't stick its bog! Of course check the lower parts of the body and joints..Doors A Piller B Piller and the like.

If your dropping the Motor out the bottom...place some bricks and wood under the front Subframe once you have all the bolts out so this way it won't runn away on you..also have a third person handy you to place some thing under the front once the sub fram and motor is out

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

yeah i did that when i bought it...it was a weak-ass fridge magnet and it stuck everywhere i put it...so i am assuming its bog-free...

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Bling me up Scotty!
"wait till it grows into a plant...then bunny rabbit THE PLANT!"

1966 Morris Mini DeLuxe FOR SALE

wow cool, sounds like a plan...wish i had some people who knew what they were doing close to me free offer of a 6-pack of your fav beer to anyone local who wants to come help me or give me a few pointers

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Bling me up Scotty!
"wait till it grows into a plant...then bunny rabbit THE PLANT!"

1966 Morris Mini DeLuxe FOR SALE