danielc

[danielc]

Hello,
Suppose I should introduce myself. I have recently and unexpectedly become a Mini owner again. Registered in 1973, stripped out for rallying some years ago, much neglected, now sitting on my drive in the rain. 1275GT engine of unknown spec, no driveshafts, drums all round, bespoke wiring (read total mess!), more parts in the boot than in the engine bay, plenty of rust, 10in wheels on back 12in on front.
Long term plan to fix up for sprinting and hill climbing, short term plan to bodge together enough to pass MOT (not been road worthy/legal for more than 10 years), so at least I can drive it to a garage!
Looking for new/used parts suppliers in Swansea or Cardiff area and any recommendations for garages who actually know what to do with a Mini.
Last time I had a Mini was over 10 years ago, so no longer have any contacts.
All advice welcomed - also offers of free labour, technical advice, solid shells, messages of support, cups of tea...

[phill54]

Welcome pal. There are a lot of people on here willing to help and give good advice I have loads of bits and bobs that will be going for sale cheap to free some room in the garage eg wiring looms interiors wheels shafts and new drums pal give me a pm if u need anything

[dai9fxey]

Hi and welcome on board.
Sounds like you've got your hands full with your project Mini.
There's plenty of clever so and so's on here with loads of knowledge so don't be afraid to ask any questions.

[phill54]

Yeah and one of them is you dai

[danielc]

Hi Phil, Dai,
Thanks for the words of welcome and support.
Yes, certainly plenty to do - will post some pictures soon so you can appreciate just how much. Forgot to mention that the gear stick is held in with a bungy rope as the selector doesn't match the hole in the shell!
Thanks for the head-up on the parts Phil, certainly on the look out for shafts, don't need a loom (have one in the boot!), two matching wheels waiting for a lift up from Southampton. Will pm.
I notice neither of you recommended any garages or parts places - have things really changed that much in 10 years? Used to be a garage & spares place in Cardiff - has it gone? Notice on web there is a placed called Specialised Mini Spares in Barry - is it still there, is it any good? There was also a rolling road up in Abercynon - is that still there? It's like the Mini equivalent of 28 days later!

[gavinhendy]

Hey mate welcome to the club , it really is a god send.
The trend now is to order parts you need either online or by phone with minispares.com or minisport.co.uk of any other reputable mini part specialist , can't recomend any garages as I haven't used any I've been doing all my work myself because I don't trust any garages near me , and with the help of the boys on here whoo are great helps indeed , all the best with the restoration , let's see some piccys

[phill54]

Yeah as gav said most of us get parts of the net
the guy up in barry is still there and has some great prices and parts
The only garage I would recomend is daniels body repair up in pontyberem he does a lot
Of work on old cars and they do a lot of mechanical work aswell on old cars
he is my friend and I now he does a good job as I work there helping him out
If I got a day off
Hope this helps abit

[danielc]

Hi Gav, Phil,
I liked the old way where you actually could speak to someone, show them the broken bit, get the extra bits you didn't know you needed and so on. Maybe I am just getting old!
Thanks for the recommendations, will check them out when needs be.
Will try and take some pics at the weekend if it's not raining too much, will make sure I get one of the carpet engine steady!