Dave's Mini City E "Lucy" restoration and modification project
My Mini Project
A Mini City E restored and personalised by owner Dave over three years
Dave documents three years of owning his Mini City E, called Lucy, describing how he first restored the car and then began modifying it to his own taste. The page is a before-and-after summary covering completed work such as suspension and subframe replacement, a respray and chrome trim, alongside a long list of jobs planned for the following year.
Specs
As stated in the original write-up.
- Engine
- Standard 998cc A-Series, not yet modified
- Suspension
- Upgraded front and rear suspension, including a replaced rear subframe and front suspension
- Paint
- New respray completed, though rust and bubbling were already reappearing
- Trim
- Mini City badges and black trim removed and replaced with chrome
Parts used
Parts named as used in the original write-up, grouped the way the Parts page groups them. Where one of the shops we index lists the same thing for this car, it is shown underneath with a link to the shop.
Engine 1
- Chrome rocker cover
Fitted as the only engine bay modification so far
Suspension & Steering 2
- Rear subframe
Replaced on the car, described as one of the hardest jobs undertaken
- Front suspension
Replaced and upgraded along with the rear subframe
Body & Trim 2
- Chrome trim
Used to replace the original black exterior trim pieces
In the shops
Chrome Wheel Rim Trim ↗
Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $4.25 USD
Rear Door Lower Chrome Trim ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $79.99 USD
License Plate 'U' Chrome Trim ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $105.19 USD - Respray
Car given a new paint job, though rust and bubbling returned soon after
Interior 1
- Internal bonnet release
Fitted to the car as part of the early modifications
In the shops
Stainless Steel Grille (Internal Bonnet Release) ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $259.99 USD
Bonnet Release Cable ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $37.99 USDBonnet Release Cable (Classic Mini) ↗
MGOC Spares· £17.45
Photos
9 pictures collected from the write-up, in the order they were posted, shown from My Mini Project. A picture opens larger here, with the way through to the page it is on.
How it was done
Starting condition and ownership
Dave had owned the Mini City E for just over three years and used it as his daily car. He describes starting out as a complete amateur but gaining enough confidence through hands-on work to tackle almost any job on the car himself, sometimes with help from his dad or a friend.
Restoration and early modifications
Dave's first goal was to restore the car, then he began personalising it. He removed all 'Mini City' badging, swapped black trim for chrome, fitted a chrome rocker cover, waterproofed the car, upgraded the suspension, had it resprayed, fitted an internal bonnet release, and kept on top of rust ahead of each MOT.
Toughest mechanical jobs
Replacing the rear subframe and the front suspension were, by Dave's account, the hardest jobs he faced, costing him tears, swearing and injuries. He has also already stripped down and replaced an exhaust system and removed the manifold, carburettor and air intake from a donor Cooper, partly for practice.
Plans for the year ahead
Looking to 2008, Dave expected to fight more rust and repaint affected areas again. He was deciding between a Mountney and a Mota Lita steering wheel, wanted a better dashboard with Smith clocks, and had received a David Vizard tuning book, intending to learn more about improving the 998cc engine without fitting a larger unit.
A summary in our own words. The full account, with all its detail, is in the original write-up: read it at My Mini Project ↗
Worth knowing
- Replacing the rear subframe and front suspension was the hardest job but built real confidence to tackle anything else on the car.
- A fresh respray did not stop rust and paint bubbling from returning within a short time.