Ethel - 1995 Mini Sprite auto

[jimjimini64]

Hi all, I signed up to the forum a while ago now and feel its time to log my progress online with a project thread I got the car back in March 2011 At the time I had a Honda prelude Vti and was after a nice small economical automatic car to get me to work and back during the weekdays so I could use the prelude at weekends.

It didn't take long till I preferred the mini over the prelude. So with a fresh mot the prelude was up for sale so I could spend more time and money on the mini.

Most people would not be happy with an auto box but I'm finding it to be ok with all the town driving I do, I know it's never going to be a racing car but I just want it to look nice and sound nice so i have recently added an Rc40 back box

I have lived with the mini's imperfections for just over a year now these include a dent in the back, rust on the scuttle panel, a panel, and seels. Its also got a few parking dings... Apart from this she runs lovely and has never let me down.

Last week I sent the mini to a friend for body repairs and respray. Should be picking her up at the weekend but heres a few pictures of from when i first got the car until now.

When i get the car back at the weekend i will add some more pictures!

Jim



When i first got her.



The prelude i sold to free up cash



ding at the back




Nice pic of Ethel



Now for some respray pictures



Looking sorry for itself



goodbye ariel



New scuttle panel and a panel

[tony105]

Good to see the excellent progress you are making with your Mini! Interestingly, the main two cars I have ever owned have alternated between Minis and Honda Preludes, I have owned 4 Mk 1 Preludes and about the same Mk 2 Preludes! Anyhow back to your Mini! Are you planning any changes to the engine and what are your plans for the bodywork eg: are you keeping the Sprite identity and graphics or making changes? I have a 1996 Mayfair 1.3i - so will be a similar spec to yours - I have noticed a huge a change in my car by having recently fitted a Maniflow LCB and Cat back Maniflow system together with a K & N Filter. I plan to do more as it becomes addictive ! I'm also planning on driving from Durham to Oxfordshire next month - as detailed in my post (thread) on here today. I do keep looking for a nice Mk Prelude - but its the Mini I always keep! Look forward to seeing your car progress! Tony Roger.

[jimjimini64]

Forgot to add the pictures of the mini after respray! Yeah Tony i loved my jap cars, but just got to the stage where i had enough of the running costs! Love my classic car's and the mini was the car for me, For the time being i'm going to keep the engine and gearbox as it is.. but later on i might convert it to a manual as i wan't a bit more power out of it.

I took the sprite stickers off, and the interior i have just put some camoflauge seat covers over the normal seats. sound tacky but looks quite smart, At some stage i want to reupholster the door cards.

Anyhow here's some pics from when i first got it back from respray. I have more but not put them on my photobucket yet.

[tony105]

Hi Jim, Wow your Mini looks immaculate. Clearly a lot of work has gone into that level of finish. I like the detail of having the wheel arches painted too. Really lovely. I imagine the car gets a lot of positive attention. Well done!