Do you have a restored mini for over 3 years?

Pete,

My car was "restored" in the UK four years ago. I implicitly stated that I wanted zero rust on the car, that I wanted it all fixed and was willing to pay the dosh for it to be that way.

Some panels were replaced (one door, both front wings and the bonnet) and the whole thing resprayed, but yet now I have small, but noticeable rust bubbles appearing in the passenger A panel and door. The driver's side inner sill was original, and swiss cheese, and the driver's floor needs to be replaced in the corner near the gas pedal.

I'm not planning on doing the fixes before I sell, so I'll have to lower my price substantially. This car is not a trailer queen but is a daily driver four days a week (30+ miles each day).  Note that is has been driven in the rain only twice, the only other water it has seen is from being washed.

I guess the moral is to either do it yourself or visit the shop to verify its being done.

Steve

You will learn more about Minis by driving one for 30 minutes than if you read every book written about them.

 

If 'ya strip 'er all down and prep the metal with all the good high tech stuff we have these days - won't that help you combat the rain / roads / etc?

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My Higher Authority is the German Purity Law of 1516 . 

How to say this.....

My question is this, does anyone here have a car that was restored and is USED regularly (not kept in a garage and not taken out on a regular basis) that was restored at some time in the past, lets say three years minimum and the car has not shown the usual rust bubbles under the headlights, base of the doors etc?

My anxiety with every old car that I have ever had has been rust, Strangely some of the most heavy duty restorations (I.E. vast metal replacement) fared the best. I just wonder if it is possible to restore a mini, (usual stuff, front wings, cills, front panel and doors or skins) and not have it rust again? I have owned and seen very low mile MPI minis, I'm talking 1500 mile cars with bubbles under the headlights.

The reason for asking is that I am contemplating at some point in the future, getting a heavy duty upgrade done to my woody, it is currently a nice driver, to bring it up to a very high standard mechanically and body wise...I just can't stand the dreaded daily use having such a bad effect on the car.

Any comments?

Peter

No more cars left, Westpaminis is now just a memory, Good luck to all those hard working dealers left out there, We can tell you its not easy. We have fully enjoyed meeting all the fine folks we have in the business.