16 year old facelift....

[charlie_mini]

haven't posted anything in the projects bit ere yet (haven't done anything with them for ages mainly!) so i thought i'd put charlie's facelift on.
She has been the daily drive since early 2006 and is now showing her 125000 miles and is in need of some more love! and not just the kind that keeps minis on the road day to day.
for those who haven't seen charlie for a while this is how she looked yesterday morning...
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/FILE0024.jpg
For her 1st MOT in 2006 she had a new front panel and some other bits but now her wings have rotted through and dispite me patching them up 3/4 times i thought it was time to do something about it.
This little project has been on the cards for nearly a year now but after all the hastle i had with the new 'reliable' fiesta :( i was off mechanics for a bit!
foud the love and time again now so back carrying on doing the mini's were i left off!
My first job (although was the hardest for me!) was to take an angle grinder to what was left of the nice paintwork on her wings and remove them completely!
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/FILE0034.jpg
wasn't hard once i got going but just seemed harsh on the poor girl!
once they were out of the way, the front panel had to come off then....
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/FILE0039.jpg

seemed easier to take everything off in tact so i can sort them out later! once that was all sorted i set about cleaning the cuts up (and invairablly!<!?>removing plenty more metal!
next came fitting the brace bars to the inner wings / subframe to make it MOT complient. to be honest these are the bits that confused me as i couldnt figure them out! but once i realised they bolted to the pear mounts it was obvious! (Dur!)
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/FILE0042.jpg

next came the test fittings........

[Gr4H4m]

wow great work mate dont hold back..

[charlie_mini]

i ended up taking the inner wings off the car to help the front end settle, its been stood up on end since last april! so i think the shape has shifted slightly.
the bonus of getting rid of the inner wings means that everything is so much more accessible now!
after some more jiggling (the car not me!) the front end was sitting more or less right so was time to attach the brackets to mount everything!
not too bad for less than 2 afternoons work and 1/2 a gallon of Tea!
still needs finishing strips putting on to seal the edges, then preping and painting and everything putting back onto it but its definately a good start!
i'm determined she will see the mini50 events!

here are more pics of the front end fitted (while i was still getting it right - there are gaps between the wing and scuttle /a pannelson the pics that were reduced later!) when it was bolted properly on!

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/FILE0046.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/FILE0047.jpg


http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/FILE0054.jpg


To be continued.....
cheers :D

[charlie_mini]

just a quick note to Graham/ Steve & Dean...
while the front end was off i've taken the time to thoroughly jetwash the whole engine/subframes/ suspension arms/ inner wings - everything so its all nice and clean now!!
during everyone's help when the clutch gave up in march i was ashamed of how filthy everything was with oil/grit/ road grime etc! this was because it was a daily drive at the time and i couldn't help it!
and today when i did it - it was worse than ever!
now i've got the chance she's nice and clean now and i feel much better about it! :)
cheers :):)

[Gr4H4m]

wow mate looks ready for a mk1 front to me...

[charlie_mini]

wow great work mate dont hold back..
cheerz :)

[@lex]

that last pic looks like a perfact fit.

you must be an accomplished jiggler now mate.

Well done.

Charlie deserves all the jiggling he can get. :)

cheers

[charlie_mini]

yeah, she likes a bit of a jiggle sometimes!
next step will be sorting the arches out, a new scuttle pannel/ window/ window surround so that she's a bit watertight. maybe a different dash seen the wallnut's starting to look a bit tatty now. some new spotlights and bumpers and a couple of little bits for the MOT.
oh and i've got to sort the wiring out! :o had a bit of a 'drillbit-through-the-wiring-loom' moment when fitting the drivers side brace bar! thats another thing on the list!
oops!
:rolleyes:

[CarolineLouise]

wow looks like you have done a lot of work on this beautiful mini!! im sure it will all pay off when you go to the mini50 events!! they will be good, how is it going now??

[charlie_mini]

after i came in from that before i've taken all the lights/indicators and anything else that needs to move across off the old panels and given them a good clean. anything that isn't goin straight back on has gone in another pile of 'spares' :)
just sortin out what parts i need to get at bingley now!
the list keeps getting longer!... :D

[CarolineLouise]

well good luck with it all and hopefully i will see you at mini50 events!!

[Gr4H4m]

drill bit through the loom moment ... not a set of words you want to hear in the same sentence... ouch. A bit of soldering ans shrink wrap will sort that out mate.

[charlie_mini]

yeah, its not too bad tho.. only clipped about 5/6 wires and most of them were headlights/indicators - so nothing major! :)
the wiring needed looking at anyways - especially the remote start! rather than starting properly, its starting, then stopping 3/4 times! :)

[FlightlessNinja]

Looks good.

Keep it up.

[Deano]

spot on mate you have been busy;)

[Steve]

Looking great will be nice to see the engine clean. You have been busy. Hope its not long before it back on the road.

[charlie_mini]

yeah, think the fact all the engine bay and front end was so manky was the part i hated most about her! now thats sorted it much nicer to work on too!
aimin to have her back on the road again my himley on 10th may so ill be lookin to MOT/Tax her the end of april! then crack on with maria properly!

its a shame i didn't really do much with them after may last year but i think the rest has done me good and i'm now lookin at them with fresh eyes rather than frustration! there'll be no stoppin me after bingley! :)

[@lex]

yeah, think the fact all the engine bay and front end was so manky was the part i hated most about her! now thats sorted it much nicer to work on too!
aimin to have her back on the road again my himley on 10th may so ill be lookin to MOT/Tax her the end of april! then crack on with maria properly!

its a shame i didn't really do much with them after may last year but i think the rest has done me good and i'm now lookin at them with fresh eyes rather than frustration! there'll be no stoppin me after bingley! :)

Glad to hear your enthusiasm is regenerated and your back on track mate.

I know what its like when things drag on a bit. I found the help and support I got from miniaddicts a great help.

cheers

[ChesterAnt]

Hay Charlie,

just saw in your mini pic's, the electric fan mounted on the inner wing..

Great idea...

im thinking for doing it like that now lol

what do you use for a fan switch? iv been struggling to find a fan switch to fit carb minis...

thanks

[Deano]

The later Mini`s had one fitted allready there but you can get a kit with a thermostatic controll from Demon tweeks I got one on me auto keeps it cool but is very noisy

[charlie_mini]

yeah it was a standard fitment one, but never really worked since i've had the car, gonna make a bracket to fit it back on now i've taken the inner wings out too. was just goin 2 wire it back to the switch i've put in the dash,
cheers

[charlie_mini]

been out workin in the rain again, charlie now has a nice new scuttle panel and less holes! :) woo!
i'll post some pics tomorrow hopefully!
happy charlie's getting the attention she deserves now and starting to look tidy again! :)

[Gr4H4m]

lets see some pics....:)

[charlie_mini]

spent some more time out on charlie today. mainly gettin the the front end fittin properly. pretty much there and happy with the fit now, needs a little more work round the scuttle panel on the drivers side tho..

bonnet straps have turned up so i can now fit the fibreglass bonnet now to get it all lookin good (held on with self tappers for now but once everythings pained they'll be rivitted on!)

also started cutting the holes ready for headlights & stuff..
here's the pics of the new scuttle and front end so far.....


http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/100_1095.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/100_1096.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/100_1097.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/100_1098.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/100_1100.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/100_1099.jpg

[charlie_mini]

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/100_1101.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/100_1102.jpg


so she's definately gettin there now, needs some paint and more shiny bits and some weldin on her internals next! :):)
cheerz

[Gr4H4m]

nice. looking good.

[Deano]

looking proper bo :)

[@lex]

Its really getting there now. Love the bonnet straps. What else you got planed…. Italian job style lamps maybe ?

cheers

[charlie_mini]

did think of that but dont think the fibreglass will support it!
thinkin of goin slightly more retro with it tho...
was lookin at pics of when i first got her and likin that more than the sportspack look everyone has! if your cars a proper sportspack then it should be like that - thinkin of regressing a bit tho! :)

[charlie_mini]

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/28-5-06022.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/4wheelplay-miniinthepond-august0602.jpg

this is what she used to looklike 60,000miles &3 1/2 years ago :)

[charlie_mini]

everone knows that the cheap repro allys you get are pone to going bad very quick - i got charlie's at mitp 06 in august and by december they were lookin tatty, gave them a quick spruce up summer 07 but as with everything else on her, the wheels were starting to suffer!
seen im finally getting round to sorting everything else on her - the wheels are quite a big part of her lookin sorry for her self so i've made a start on them too - pics of th process below!

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1054.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1056.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1060.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1061.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1062.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1063.jpg

shows what a can of ford moondust silver paint, can of laquer, 320 -800 grade wet and dry and 2 1/2 hours can do!
one down - 3 to go!!

[@lex]

The original Italian job mini’s look awesome. No arches look great.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eelkeblok/313115077/

[charlie_mini]

interesting they've got their bonet straps the other way.....????
they do look cool, but not quite going that retro with charlie - maria's having the mk1 front, mk2 rears etc. charlie's just classic retro - still in 2 minds about the lamp bar tho.... :)

[Nibby]

did think of that but dont think the fibreglass will support it!
thinkin of goin slightly more retro with it tho...
was lookin at pics of when i first got her and likin that more than the sportspack look everyone has! if your cars a proper sportspack then it should be like that - thinkin of regressing a bit tho! :)

A good choice :) i wouldn't mind doing mine to look a bit more retro aswell, yours is looking swell so far anyway, nice job! :D

[charlie_mini]

cheers matey!

[charlie_mini]

more bits have turned up last night, charlie will have 2 headlights, all her indicators and the front bumpers mounted the end of this week - weather permitting!
have to get round to sorting spotlights out eventually! anyone know how heavy the 3 lamp bars are?? dont wanna crack the fibreglass mounting one!?

or maybe i could make one! ....:)
cheers

[FlightlessNinja]

Have you still got your arches?

Are they in good nic?

[charlie_mini]

iv still got the older black rubber ones but ian's having them mate.

[FlightlessNinja]

ah sorry meant to say wings not arches. Dont ask me how but ive got 5 arches

[charlie_mini]

the wings were rusty mate, that was why i replaced the front end, its a pain tryin to line the wings and front panel up! :)
cheers

[charlie_mini]

had a look over her over the weekend, bit dishartening that the 'little' list of snag jobs actually ran onto 2 pages!
so far my list for the next couple of weekends are:
-wire the front end up (new wiring arrived yesterday!)
- 2x A Panels
- replace passenger door
- re-skin drivers door
- fix 1 hole in each rear arch
- new passenger door step / bottom edge of rear quarter.
- fit arches
- clean / paint remaining 3 wheels
- seam seal outer sills & paint
- fix alarm wiring
- fix stereo wiring
- refit / replace dashboard & seats
- fix big hole in the wiring caused by over-enthusiastic drilling! :(
- straighten, smooth and spot prime whole body
- PAINT!
- get and fit new windscreen
- fix holes in both fitch panels
- replace fuse boxes with nice modern types (hopefully solving all outstanding electrical gremlins!
and a couple of other 'smaller' niggles -
looks like ive got my work cut out.
startin on the wiring tonight, sure my mums gonna be made up when she gets home to find the front of the car on the floor in the living room! :)

[charlie_mini]

front end side of the wiring is now sorted! :)
indicators are on, headlights are on, bumper is on....
she's starting to look like a real mini again! :)
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1118.jpg
wiring on the inside of the front end...

[charlie_mini]

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1115.jpg

[Deano]

Looking good mate i love the wheels;)

[K333th]

I drove past charlie this morning and it is looking good love the bonnet good job eric

[charlie_mini]

cheers - forgot 2 mention i realised i'v only got bout 6 weeks total till himley! i'd better get a move on! :)

[charlie_mini]

quick update pic now she's got her indicators back!
:)
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1121.jpg
cheers

[Gr4H4m]

nice one mate

[charlie_mini]

busy weekend on charlie but a very tedious one unfortunately!
the panels are still on order and got to wait till payday to sort me doors and doorstep so workin down me list i started wtih the wiring and the arches! :)
wiring wise i now know why iv had allsorts of issues with the lights and other systems! the whole front of the loom was corroded in some places, held together with household screw-in type connectors!
spend most of the last 2 days soldering and heatshrinking the wires were the connectors had been, all in all i've replaced the nasty inline fuses by the wipermotor and replaced the fusebox. i've sorted the ignition wireing and managed to position the lighting wires ready for fitting the multiplug to attach the front end.....
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1125.jpg
i've also degreased the engine again and paint stripped the engine.... ready for a nice coat of paint!
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1132.jpg
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1134.jpg
the engine degreased and stripped...

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1143.jpg
engine painted, HT leads refitted - also radiator painted and subframes tidyed slightly!

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1146.jpg

[charlie_mini]

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1147.jpg


-wire the front end up (new wiring arrived yesterday!)
- 2x A Panels
- replace passenger door
- re-skin drivers door
- fix 1 hole in each rear arch
- new passenger door step / bottom edge of rear quarter.
- fit arches
- clean / paint remaining 3 wheels
- seam seal outer sills & paint
- fix alarm wiring - hopefully -will test when charlie's on the road
- fix stereo wiring - hopefully -will test when charlie's on the road
- refit / replace dashboard & seats
- fix big hole in the wiring caused by over-enthusiastic drilling! :(
- straighten, smooth and spot prime whole body - started on the roof & front end!
- PAINT!
- get and fit new windscreen
- fix holes in both fitch panels
- replace fuse boxes with nice modern types (hopefully solving all outstanding electrical gremlins!


Getting there slowly! :)

[Gr4H4m]

well done mate keep it up..

[charlie_mini]

cheers

[TONYELF]

She's looking good there M8y. I will have to pop up when I'm mobile again (Soon I hope) :)

[FlightlessNinja]

Just seen the latest pics. Looks better than when i last saw it. Just before you painted by the looks of things. Keep it up.

[charlie_mini]

been out working on charlie again - re-skinned the drivers door, passenger door seems salvagable now so not as bad as first seemed! drivers side fitch and A panel is sorted now, 2morrow will be passenger door reskin, apanel, fitch and doorstep i think! then i've got a week of filler and sand paper getting her ready for paint! at least next week's evenings should be a bit lighter! more pics coming tomorrow! :)

[charlie_mini]

well i've had a busy weekend workin on charlie while jen was at work! only thing thats slowed me down has been the welder running out of wire at the most inconvenient moment!!
here's the state of play so far;
-wire the front end up (new wiring arrived yesterday!)
- 2x A Panels
- reskin passenger door - turned out not to be as far gone as it looked!
- re-skin drivers door
- fix 1 hole in each rear arch
- new passenger door step / bottom edge of rear quarter.
- fit arches
- clean / paint remaining 3 wheels
- seam seal outer sills & paint
- fix alarm wiring - hopefully -will test when charlie's on the road
- fix stereo wiring - hopefully -will test when charlie's on the road
- refit / replace dashboard & seats
- fix big hole in the wiring caused by over-enthusiastic drilling! :(
- straighten, smooth and spot prime whole body - started on the roof & front end!
- PAINT!
- get and fit new windscreen
- fix holes in both fitch panels
- replace fuse boxes with nice modern types (hopefully solving all outstanding electrical gremlins!

got a little bit of welding to do 2m afternoon on 2 holes in the rear arches and a newly discovered one in the boot but looks like im on track for some serious filler n sandpaper action for the next 2weeks readt for paint!! :) pics to follow!

[charlie_mini]

new pass doorstep & a panel
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1148.jpg
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1149.jpg


drivers side

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1152.jpg

Pass side

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1153.jpg

as she is now - tucked up for the nite!

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1159.jpg

cheers!
:)

[Gr4H4m]

well done mate its going to be a great looking car when you are finished

[charlie_mini]

cheers - hopin she'll look good, more than anything i just want her to look tidy,and be solid and water tight! :) am starting to think i'm cutting this pretty fine tho! its i've only got 4-5 weeks to get her finished and MOT'd :)

[FlightlessNinja]

if you need a hand mate let me know.

[@lex]

looking pretty solid already mate. you should be ready within your time frame at the rate your going.
well done !!

cheers

[RSP]

Looking good there. Just keep on tucking and you will get there in the end.

[charlie_mini]

cheers

[charlie_mini]

well charlie is nearly sorted now.... she actually went for her first drive yesterday! must of looked a bit odd to the guy behind me! she had no bootlid, no back lights, no bumper and the back window is still only held in with masking tape for now!
found out that the wheels are still catching slightly on the fibreglass front, and the arches but hopefully some new tierod bushes will sort that as the rubbers seem almost none-existant! should pust the wheels back into place!

in terms of metal work i started patching my back wheel arches on monday - got very very annoyed with it and so last night i just put a complete arch liner in, simple, quick and solved the problem - just got the same to do this afternoon and should be sorted before the meeting tonight!
once that was in i then tidied up the outer sill thats one of the things that been annoying me for ages!
only the passenger side to sort now!
heres some pics for now...
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1164.jpg
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1163.jpg

and the best £30 i've spent in halfords! keeps the rain off!
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1170.jpg

cheers

[FlightlessNinja]

Excellent work.

[charlie_mini]

Woo! second arch is now welded in! end of the welding is here! :)

here's the state of play so far;
-wire the front end up (new wiring arrived yesterday!)
- 2x A Panels
- reskin passenger door - turned out not to be as far gone as it looked!
- re-skin drivers door
- fix 1 hole in each rear arch
- new passenger door step / bottom edge of rear quarter.
- fit arches
- clean / paint remaining 3 wheels
- seam seal outer sills & paint
- fix alarm wiring - hopefully -will test when charlie's on the road
- fix stereo wiring - hopefully -will test when charlie's on the road
- refit / replace dashboard & seats
- fix big hole in the wiring caused by over-enthusiastic drilling! :(
- straighten, smooth and spot prime whole body - started on the roof & front end!
- PAINT!
- get and fit new windscreen
- fix holes in both fitch panels
- replace fuse boxes with nice modern types (hopefully solving all outstanding electrical gremlins!

[charlie_mini]

well after a mamoth bank holiday weekend i'd like to say a massive THANK YOU to Cliff (denty) fot the use of his fantastic workshop.
I've basically locked myself away with charlie and its taken an exhausting 60 hrs over the last 4 days but charlie is now finally painted, most of the interior and glass is back (appart from a missing windscreen!) and she is now looking like a real mini again!
:)
i'll put some pics up as soon as i can find the camera (seems to have vanished into the back of the car with shedloads of other bits!

so left to do is put the door handles and fixtures back in, finish re-doing my dashboard, tidy up my wheels, paint the arches and source and paint a bootlid.
and the small matter of getting her running again! i've killed the battery so that needs charging - there wasn't enough juice in it to start fiddling seen i've tweeked the engine slightly (to occupy myself while the paint was dryin! :))

pics to follow.... :)

[charlie_mini]

managed to upload some of the pics off my phone so here's a couple....

as she was 9am friday morning....
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/photo.jpg

part way thru stripping and flatting her ready for paint...
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/photo-1.jpg

Masked up ready for paint.....

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/_masking.jpg

After the first quick coat of primer.....
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/_primer.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/_sidepanel.jpg

the fibreglass front end...
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/_frontend.jpg

Doors and bonnet....
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/_doorsbootbonnet.jpg

[charlie_mini]

The Roof...

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/5c441464.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/_outside.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/7131858f.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/c7ecdb7c.jpg

:)

more pics when i find the camera! :)
cheers

[TONYELF]

Looking great so far:)

[charlie_mini]

More Pics...

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1195.jpg

After the black base coat
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1206.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1211.jpg

Then Green...
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1217.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1219.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1237.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1238.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1239.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1240.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/100_1241.jpg

[Deano]

looks good mate;)

[Gr4H4m]

wow what a difference. did you paint it? You must be on the home straight.

[charlie_mini]

yeah i've done everything with her so far... just got to get the engine running an a couple of little niggly bits then should be sorted - lookin good for himley tho...! :)

[Gr4H4m]

well done you don't half get stuck in..

[RSP]

Well done mate, looking good there. Bet you can't wait to be at Himley in it.

[charlie_mini]

just a quick update as DDay gets closer and closer;
she's a step closer to being sorted as i got her running today! turns out i did my usual trick of putting the dizzy spline in and i'd taken my tdc in the wrong place! (im putting it down to the long weekend!)
the good thing putting a smile on my face is she seems to be running much better than before! :)
i've also managed to get some little things sorted that actually take much longer than they should,
passenger door handle is now fitted again and working (just need to find the drivers side now!) head lining is in and at least staying up! and the dashboard is nearly ready for paint!
here's some more pics;

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/photo-2.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/charlie%20face%20lift%20project/photo-3.jpg

less than 2 weeks left now!

[charlie_mini]

just a quick update, as the times getting closer and closer (less than 10 days now!) charlie has now had her MOT - which she failed.
now this wasn't really a surprise as she went down for it with most of her electrics not working! in total she racked up a score of 8 points and 3 advisories! which is miles better than i was expecting as 4 of the 8 were directly down to the problems with the electrics!
now got a bit of a tough weekend to get everything back in order so i can re-test her on tuesday and order her tax ready for the weekend!
so sortof on the home stretch now, MOT is almost in sight and just a couple of little things to get sorted.... but only 10 days to do it in!
startin to get a bit close now! :)

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/e_lonsdale/photo-4.jpg

[charlie_mini]

after a busy weekend i've managed to nail 6 of the 8 problems;
- new pin in rear passenger radius arm to remove 'excessive play' - also lead to having to replace rear wheel cyl and brake pipe as brake pipe snapped undoing it to remove the radius arm and couldnt undo the bleed valve on the wheel cyl (rounded!)
- re-shimmed the front drivers top ball joint to remove 'excessive play'
- rear pass brakes adjusted up
- stop lights weren't working - found to be an earth i'd missed connecting! :( (2x points!)
- brackets fitted to allow front numberplate to be fitted rather than sitting in the windscreen

just the indicators / hazards to go now - but the retests tomorrow! :)

[jonny3979]

Ive just read this through from start to finish and it's like the final page of a gripping thriller has been taken out!!!!!

Did you make it?????

Great work, do you think it has all been worth it - atre you glad you stuck with Fglass rather than a steel front??

[monster mini]

looks good charlie whats the time scale / target ?

[charlie_mini]

well she was all back on the road may '09, she was never properly finished! i rushed to get the MOT before himley.. she's back off the road tucked up for the winter at the mo, waiting for an mot mid feb ish.... gives me time to sort the couple of niggly bits i rushed over! :D cheers

[chris@southlakes]

What a cracking journey with that one mate, great work!

[charlie_mini]

Cheers, got the last few niggley bits from bingley (and a new heater matrix!) she should be back to normal soon! :D
roll on MOT Time!