microwheel

Here is a few images of how the chassis and rear end look test fitted together. Keep in mind I still need to add the rear end cover and shocks (which I'm thinking of making air-shocks for) More to come as work continues.

Next work was started on the chassis. I got the chassis painted with red oxide primer, then a light over spray on the edges of body color, then the back of the chassis was painted with semi-gloss black. I then painted and installed the electric fuel pumps and detailed them out with fuel lines and clamps, as well as electrical harness. I then added the main fuel line and back brake line to the chassis with line brackets. Next it was on to the rear-end. Assembling it and detailing it with brake lines and Emergency brake cables. I still need to add the rear end housing cover. Continued.......

Hi Guys, A couple weeks ago I decided to start a new project. I took a couple of kits out of the closet and asked my wife which one she wanted me to do. This is the one she selected. It's a pretty good kit from what I can see, and I decided to give it the full detail treatment. I usually work on one kit at a time and it takes me a few months to do one when I detail them out. I am going with a non traditional color. After getting the body prepped it got a few coats of tamiya white primer, then 4 coats of model masters Anthracitc Grey Metallic enamel mixed 50/50 with lacquer thinner. Then 2 medium coats of model masters black enamel was added where the decals wouldn't cover. The decals where then added after the color coats dried for 3 days, then 4 coats of model masters clear enamel where applied. The paint has been gassing out for about a week now and will soon be ready for wet sanding and polishing. The interior has been started while waiting for the paint to dry. The interior is a combination of testors flat dark green and flat medium green with a light coat of semi gloss clear. The wood grain inserts are replicated by painting the areas with light tan with a flat black wash added and then over-coated with tamiya's clear orange. The window cranks were carefully cut off the door panels and with get painted with Alclad chrome before being re-attached. Bare metal foil was added to the door trim around the wood grain inserts. Once I get the dash and floor pan done, the interior will get aftermarket seat belts as well as a few other odds and ends details. Continued...........

C-Pillers are looking good. Cant wait to see it with the rear window channels done and the roof attached.

Outstanding conversion. Can I ask if you combined the Revell 66 wagon with the Revell 66 2 door kit?

Nice to see you posting again on this one Geoff. I love the old school style Beetles almost as much as I do the original Mini Coopers. I like your choice of colors.

Hey ya near your phone?

Looking good Robert, I am really enjoying following your progress on this.

Looking really good Fred. Had another disaster here yesterday, and have had to spend the past few days getting it fixed.. We had a full house sewer system backup and had to dig up the main drain line go to the city hookup. Seems a few roots decided to make the main house drain their home. The plumber is coming out tomorrow to finish getting it taken care of. But it put a big hold on my current new build for a couple of days.

Hi Fred, Like what you've done with this one so far. Going with a sleeper was a great idea. By the way I did start another project. I'll post on It I hope soon in a few days. By the way if you give me a call sometime tomorrow, I'll fill you in on my wife's medical issues. We are hopeful that things might be looking up a little for her.

This is really turning out nice Fred, Like how you modified the trans mount and subframe.

Thank you very much Scott Thanks alot José

Thanks Matt Thanks Ray

Thank Ron. I love any classic british car. I even own a 1:1 MG Midget Thanks alot Carl

Thanks Geoff, and thank you also for the help with the paint and the info that you helped me with.

Thanks Harry, yes the grill is opened. The first set of pics just didnt show it very well. The last pic should let you see it better.

Hi Guys, Well it took a few days to finish up the Mini, but I finally had time to get it done. I started this kit because my wife got it for me last christmas. I didnt know at the time, we were going to run into personal issues with her health, but when we did, it distracted me from putting the time and quality into it that I would have. But it did motivate me to get it done sooner than later, if for no other reason that for her. If you didnt follow the build and want to see what and how things were done to the mini, you can check out the full build process at this link http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=91827 Here are a few pics of the mini done, it may take a couple posts to get all the pics on here. Also sorry about some of the pics quality.

Hi Guys, I want to thank everyone who followed along with this build. It had it's problems for me and with personal issues at home, it was even more of a challenge than normal. This will be my final update on the mini. It is close to being finished, and since no one has commented on my last couple of post, don't see a reason to post anymore updated after today, since all I have left to do is a few more bits and pieces before posting it under glass in a day or two. So here is the final posted pics for the assembly process. I got the front and rear glass masked off and painted the trim tamiya semi gloss black and then fixed them into place with 5 minute epoxy. I also installed the front headlights, and the chrome pieces for the taillights as well as the gas cap. The roof was painted in old english white, then sanded and polished, and then masked off so the drip rails could be painted body color. The drivers side door window frame was trimmed in bare metal foil and then a small amount of 5 minute epoxy was applied to the top edge of the door and the window set into place. ( the passenger side door will be done the same way as well as both sides rear windows.) The door handles, tail lights and front parking lights will be added as well as license plates in the next day or two as well as a few other odds and ends to finish it up. Here is a couple of pics of the door opened with the window attached, after the epoxy had set up. The other door should work out the same way. Once again, thanks everyone that followed along with this build and watch for it in the under glass area in a day or two.

Howdy guys, a little bit of a assembly update on the Mini today. Got the wheels and tires on. I stripped the chrome off the wheels and sprayed them with old english white and then bare metal foiled the center hubcaps Next I installed the rear bumper, license plate platform, and license plate light assembly Finally I got the front grill and bumper installed That's pretty much it for today. Next up will be to work on getting all the front and rear lights installed and then it's on to the glass work and other stuff. More updates as I get it done.

Last couple of body shots for today.

Update on the mini for today. First let me thank everyone for their well wishes to me and my wife. She goes to a specialist Friday to have some spinal fluid drawn and some more blood work done. After that we hope they will know for sure what she is dealing with and what to do to treat it. Her spleen is grossly enlarged and she is having more and more pain everyday. Now for the mini update.. I got the boot lid latch made this morning, it makes use of the kit supplied handle with a scratch made latch on the inside to hold the boot lid shut. I also got the tie cables made for the boot lid. I worked on the chassis and got most of it done except the exhaust and wheels. (they will be done in a few days I hope). I also got a little chrome foil work done to the sides as well as getting the front and back roll pans mated to the body. That's pretty much it for now. More to come later as I get it done.

Nice job scratch building the exhaust Fred. Your project is really looking good.

And a couple more pics of the dash. You can see one of the side shoulder belts in this pic as well.

Update on the mini for today. I got the interior and chassis mated to the body. Installed the front door pockets. Got the front seat belt shoulder straps made and installed. Got the dash and steering wheel installed. Got the front hood (bonnet) installed. Finished the trunk (boot) with the spare tire, battery, gas tank, and package shelf. (still have to make the trunk lid tie cables, and the rear view mirror for the interior. As well as the front door interior handles). Next on the list to do, will be to clean everything up at this point, and then start working on the front and rear suspension as well as the exhaust. Dont mind my mess work bench in the pics. More updates as I get them done.