Autojumble

We went to an autojumble in Newbridge on Sunday. There were a few classics there, including a couple of very clean Mk1 Ford Fiestas, and a MkII Escort. As soon as we upload to Photobucket we'll put links on here. There were also some lovely 60's motors (Wolsey's, Cortinas) & 1 Moggy that looked ok on the outside but the chrome in parts needed cleaning.

In the auto jumble there was only about 7 or 8 tables but one of them specialized in Minor parts. I got the guy's details for the future. As I was picking up panels and inspecting them there was an older guy picking them up after me and holding on to them. Rich gave me a heads up on what was happening so we picked up a half dozen panels to make sure we at least got something we needed. (2 tie plates, front upper & lower cross member, LH rear spring holder and both rear inner mudguard panels). Whilst they were a small bit cheaper than getting in from the UK they certainly blew a hole in this months budget. Plus the inner rear panels answers one of my main rust areas. The other guy wasn't too pleased but that's his problem.

Unfortunately the seller only had the left hand spring hanger there but he has the right hand and others at home so we'll go and get them in the future. We also picked up some odds and ends including a lovely rear chrome number plate light (so Rich now sees some light at the end of the tunnel!!!!).

So the plan is tomorrow continue practicing mig welding. Hope to pull the engine out on the weekend now that I got my trolley back today.

By the way the picture is a sunset from our mobile home in Co. Kerry.

Done so far!

Typical Irish weather -RAIN. Since we are doing the car in the driveway it has a major impact in what we can achieve. So far we've stripped it down, removed most engine components, the wings, the interior & all the chrome bits.

We did put some POR15 rust preventer on the front arches to try & stop the worst of the rust spreading, and whilst it seems to be ok (and expensive) I've now heard conflicting reports on the product. But we'll use it at this stage because it is outside. We also sanded back & primed all the rust spots & bubbles on the roof area.

The engine is ok & runs alright but the hope is to get in the second engine & rebuild it from the ground up. Only thing delaying us is the lack of a trailer to get it down to my brothers place (he has an acre of room) & then get the engine back to Limerick.

As I'm now between contracts I should have some time to get dug in, but first all those little domestic jobs that have built up have to be completed (like painting & decorating). And with the contracting I can never say how long I actually have off, so can't make any plans.

We invested in a Mig welder and are now teaching ourselves the basics. We decided to purchase the auto darkening helmets and found this guy to be most helpful. They are great in that it leaves both hands free. Probably the best site on the net particularly for beginners is the Mig Welding Forum. Great tutorials & they do not talk down to you unlike some others. Their link is on the permanent bar at the side. So now it's just down to practice.

The mechanics, electrics & the interior don't bother us since we've being servicing cars for years, it's the bodywork & welding that fills me with dread. But nothing ventured, nothing gained.

We've also signed up to Flickr & PhotoBucket so as soon as we can set the links you'll find more of our pictures there (not just of the Minor) but places I've been & machinery we like.

Hoping to go with Rich today to pick up speakers (got a sub & amp yesterday for his birthday) so that on wet days at least we can progress on something.

If anyone is actually reading this we would like some feedback so please leave a comment.

The Plan

Right I suppose it's about time we stated what the plan is. We are not proposing a concours restoration but rather a hybrid. That is a nuts & bolts rebuild (replacing all the rusted areas, of which there a lot) upgrading the brakes, suspension & electrics so that the car will drive more like a modern car.
The engine will be rebuilt & remain a 1098cc so that we can get Classic car insurance & run it in classic events.

Then of course we come to Richies bits - the interior. It is to have cream seating, leather if we can source it and all the panels done to match. A booming stereo with sub in the back & speakers all round. New dials, heater & whatever other bling he can bring to it. Then hopefully a metallic paint job, probably in blue with new chrome to set it off.

Please excuse if we are jumping around here but we are new to blogging & it'll take a while to get our format right.

originally we planned on doing up a classic mini but they are hard to come by here in Ireland in any good condition & at proper money. So a mate of mine who runs a garage said he had two minors for sale (UIU & a 1969 model) so we looked at them (with rose tinted glasses) & agreed a price. UIU was the only runner & the other will be used for parts & engine that will be totally rebuilt.

The hope was to teach Rich the basics of car maintenance, since nothing can be done to modern cars due to cost & the fact they are all electronics. The target we have set is June 2008 for the proposed 60th anniversary event in the UK run by the Morris Minors Owners Club (see link).

To achieve this we will have to learn Mig welding, panel beating & all the other necessary skills. During this blog we will hopefully point out sites we have found helpful & put the main ones in as links.

More to follow..............

This is it on the day it arrived. Believe it or not it drove on & off the trailer.

Just Starting out

This is the start of what we hope will be something good (for us anyway).

I'm Kieran & my son is Rich. We bought a 1968 Morris Minor 1000, a couple of months ago (it's a car for those of you here by mistake). Our hope is to restore it to a drivable condition & that's why this site is named "Rich's Minor Miracle" because it'll be a miracle if we succeed.

We hope to use this blog to document our progress. Good, bad or ugly. Also as a source of what not to do for others in the future.

When we figure out how we will load pictures & links.

So for now this is the begining. More hopefully to follow, but probably not on a daily basis but as & when we have something to say.