Little Minx

[Mr Livered]

So, following your advice, the plan is to get the repairs rubbed down and covered with enough paint to complete the repair, but leaving the surrounding areas as far as possible.

 

 

 

The end is in sight, and unless major unforeseen mechanical problems raise their ugly helmet, we'll be on the road quite soon - in the knowledge that the car isn't in that worse a condition than when it was new (except cosmetically).

[Squire_Dawson]

I doubt you'll be taking this on the motorways very often, but here's something to bear in mind. I was watching a TV programme on the very first motorways, and a retired AA patrol man was interviewed, apparently there were a lot of these with shot big-end bearings. They just mustn't have been up to sustained high speeds.

[Mr Livered]

Thanks Squire, I was unaware that they had a weakness in that area. I wasn't planning to hoof it up and down the motorways, but neither was I planning to avoid three-lane blacktop so it's good to know.

[Mr Livered]

Unfortunately the demon-eyed evil spaniel appears to have got carried away and sanded down the rusty bits

 

[lisbon_road]

This is a really good thread.  I always lose interest in stuff when it looks too good, this has a wonderful feel to it and some really good repairs of old panels too.  Thanks for sharing and I look forward to seeing more.

[theorganist]

Yes this is one of those inspirational threads and shows what can be acheived.

 

I look forward to reading more, this is a lovely looking car.

[Mr Livered]

So my plans were to do the repairs and just paint the new metal, leaving as much of the original paintwork as possible, in order to preserve the patina.

 

There were two problems with this: one was the fact that loads more needed doing than I realised. All along the top wings had been repaired* with bathroom sealant, and actually done really well so that the extent of the bodged area wasn't apparent until it got introduced to a sanding disc and most of the wing crumbled away. There were other areas like this too, such that almost half the car needed to be repainted just to hide the repairs.

 

The other problem was with the paint itself. I took the bootlid into a local car parts place that has a pretty good reputation for auto paint, and got them to mix some paint to match. But it didn't match very well at all, sadly.

 

The only thing for it was to go back to the paint supplier, ask for another couple of litres of celly to match the stuff they sold me before, come back to the barn, bite the bullet, and get the compressor out.

 

 

[lisbon_road]

Can't wait to see it - looks really good.  You'll just have tor rely on the number plates for patina, it'll be fine.

[alf892]

Looks nice that..........

[Mr Livered]

I can haz minor imperfections: from wanting to create a scruffy-but-useable car, I have ended up not only spraying the whole car but becoming fussy about its appearance. Small scratches etc are getting the hi-build primer treatment, ready for a final coat of paint before reaffixing all the (scruffy, worn and pitted) chrome bits and bobs

 

 

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Could this be the first Minx at Pebble Beach ?

[Mr Livered]

Er dunno. What/where is Pebble Beach?

 

After a spot of Googling I find an event for concours cars in California by that name. If that's the one you mean, nah... the numberplates and chrome will let the side down when they go back on this weekend.

[vulgalour]

You'll put the chrome on and hate it and then spend a fortune on getting that spruced up.  Slippery slope here.

 

Still, it'll look spiffing when it's done.

[pandamonium]

I love it. I like a shiny car as much as I love a worn looking one, well done for getting stuck in and sorting the issues. As Vulgalour says, slippery slope now!

You'll be walking round car shows, tutting at 1980's stuff and complaining when someone is using non-original wax to polish their MGB soon!

[Mr Livered]

It's all going back together now, I love this bit.

 

 

 

[mercrocker]

That is soooo nice....Bollox to Pebble Beach, that Minx in those surroundings is perfection.   I mentioned my Cowley before in connection with this car and now I have seen how your Minx looks I fear less about losing the "patina" on my car when the time eventually comes.   Love the number plates too, this car has lost nothing.....

[dollywobbler]

Lovely.

[Skizzer]

Ooooh yes.

[Squire_Dawson]

Cool, looks very nice. Also love the garage cum shed, must be nice and cosy in there with a stove.

 

To sum the first photo up in one word: idyllic.

[Angrydicky]

Love this - the last of the nicely styled Minxes IMO.

[Sudsprint]

Just lovely

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Looks like a Series 11 Minx to me - lovely but I reserve my biggest trouser tent for the '57 Series 1 with the big brash grille. Back in 1983 I so nearly had a Series 111C , hot on the heels my rotten '62 Rapier.

[Mr Livered]

Hi all, long time no post, as I've had a pretty shit year of it, but my heart is and always wil be with the shite.

 

Here is the Minx with her stablemates:

 

 

Much work has been done, she is now rust-free and Waxoyled. The interior however looks exactly as it did when I found it:

 

 

With a heavy heart I'm going to have to sell this car. It's a good 'un - the mileage is something like 22,000 which I reckon is probably genuine, given that I know the car was stored in a barn from the late 70s/early 80s until I found it and started this thread. She starts on the button and runs superbly. It's mot exempt, though it does actually have an mot (can't remember until when just now).

 

A LOT of welding etc has been done, meaning that this is a really solid car. I've also had a great deal of work done on the brakes, which are now very good. What I haven't done is cosmetics: it's slightly scruffy inside and the chrome isn't that good, plus it could do with a polish. But hey, that's how I like it, I'm a shiter. For my tastes, this car is exactly as I want it, hence the reluctance with which I offer it for sale.

 

So... I'm asking you folks for help - how much should I ask for this, do you think? And would any of you be interested, by any chance? It would be great if this car were to go to a shiter.

 

I'll go and take some more pictures tomorrow if anyone's interested.

[Lankytim]

Reading this thread has made me literally swoon. Shame I'm skint and have too many cars.

[mercrocker]

Reading this thread has made me literally swoon. Shame I'm skint because I have too many cars.

 

Only had to edit slightly to reflect my own predicament..... 

 

Coincidentally Mrs Rocker and I were admiring a SIII Minx at the weekend.   This is a lovely example and the way I like 'em

[dollywobbler]

Lovely. Has to be around £3k's worth I would have thought. 

[holbeck]

I'm loving your minx (and your barn).

[vulgalour]

I haven't seen a solid one of these for sale under £1500.  Such a shame you're put in a position to have to sell it, has all the qualities of a forever car.  Having three cars and variable income mean I'm out of the running too.  I actually hope you find something else to sell so you can keep and enjoy this one.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

 

I'll go and take some more pictures tomorrow if anyone's interested.

 

 

Yes please. Not in a position to buy it, but I need a new screensaver and ROOTES PORN is as good as any.

[Mr Livered]

Such a shame you're put in a position to have to sell it, has all the qualities of a forever car. 

 

I agree, and I am gutted, quite frankly. I want to make sure it goes to a good owner, if possible, which is why I was hoping someone on here might be interested.