Its been a long time since I last posted, but then its been a busy few months!
So in the mean time heres a nice little vid I found on another blog from a guy up in Jo'burg about the mini 50 celebrations,
Enjoy :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veAN6PwNkCI&feature=player_embedded

Recession sessions

What a rollercoaster the last few months have been. Between all the medical and sandblasting bills I havnt had much leftover to spoil Rusty, however now that all the doors and panels are back I can start chipping away at all those nasty rust holes.

And boy are theres holes! from the bonnet to the tailboard theres atleast one little hole peeping out. so theres should be more than enough to keep me occupied for a little while at least.

On the plus side I was able to find a little extra (mainly through tradeing off some of the parts I didnt need from another shell) to afford a fuel tank and new side glass - of the sliding sort.

I am however having to hold off the purchase of another mini to provide donor parts for the many other parts im still waiting for, and im sure you'll agree with me the fuel tank does need just a little work before going into the car. so heres to the next payday... I'm sure it'll come around sometime... I hope. oh well best go crack out the wealding gear then, wish me luck

Oh Blast!

Well Rusty is back! and not looking very healthy unfortuneately. So we have reached the desition point, do I continue battling the rust and dented panels, fighting what may soon become a loosing battle, or do I concede, admiting defeat trying to recoup whatever funds I can and moving onto the next thing?

Well seeing as this is a decision not to be taken lightly I think I'll take my time with it. Now I atleast know what i need to have replaced and what i can repair which makes the job a little easier, so off to the interwebs with my shopping list i go and then i think i might just pop by an old freind and see if he has anything he might like to trade with me... That wreck sitting in the front garden suddenly is looking quite useful!

Tow Trucks and Trailers

Yesterday was quite the day of excitement, No I didnt get a new mini... but I did get a new truck!

Well when I say new... ok shes got 250 000kms on the clock and a big crack in the windsheild but for the price I paid? What a bargain. And shes just had a brand new head put on along with a gearbox rebuild so we're good for another 200 000 or so kms.

So lets get down to it, why have a 2.8lt turbo diesel beast of a van? yes minis are my first love, and dont get me wrong nothing will ever beat them in my eyes (with those rose tinted glasses firmly secured) but what happens when the love of my life throws a cog, or hevan forbid a con-rod? Well in comes the 2.8 to save the day and carry her home. And lets face it sometimes its nice to see above the traffic for a change too. (but dont tell anyone I said that!)

So how about an update on little ol' Rusty? You and me both. He's still stuck at the media blasters waiting his turn, I'm assured he will be done by the end of next week (19 Feb) but you never know whats in the pipeline till you see it!

Oh well guess I'm going to have to content myself with finding a tradein for that 998 or whatever it happens to be sitting in my garage, I may even use the truck to move it!
Wish me luck!!

Oh Blast!!

Well its about time I got round to getting the bodywork plugged, iv been sitting looking at various parts of ol' Rusty and keep finding myself wondering just how much of those A panels and sills are just rust an body filler.
So, its time!! the trailers hired the mini's loaded and its time to get her down the hill to a very nice chap by the name of Steve (SLC Engineering, Torlage Rd New Germany) (yes i am giving him props!!)
Im told it'll take around a week or there abouts, heres holding thumbs that there arnt too many panels to replace!!

Rip Offs and Ripping Out

Ever had that feeling that something just ain't quite right?? I had that feeling just the other day. Allow me to explain.
I recently discovered a new gent who is selling mini parts in my area, now this dosnt happen too often so I got rather excited, mistake no 1! so off i trot with a good mate of mine to see whats on offer and discover to my delight that he has all kinds of bits and peices that I need all at super cheep prices. Now this should have started ringing the ol' alarm bells but I was far to excited to pay those dusty old things any notice, anyway after a breif discution with the propriator i settled on a complete 1275cc motor and an old rusted out shell with all the wiring looms etc that would make my life much easier when it comes to putting Rusty the Pickup back together. So a price was agreed and off I merrily trundled to make the transport araingements.
A week later I returned, collected the shell and discovered that the engine I had picked out had already been removed from the body, ding ding ding!!! hello pay attention!! Still, less work for me right, so 1 red engine, the bits and peices that belonged to it and a body shell later off we go. Now comes the interesting bit, on unpacking back home and once I calmed down after all the excitement I thought I would check up all the numbers to confirm what I had been told,(heres the web address if you would like to check out your engine - http://joltfreak.tripod.com/id29.html) and guess what, those bells had been ringing for a reason! I am now the not so proud owner of a 998!!cc A-series engine, I dread to know what will happen when I take the numbers to get the police clearance needed to reregister rusty when im done, but I have a feeling I know, and this time Im listening to that feeling!