Reviving Lucy, a neglected Mini, after two years of standing idle
After leaving his Mini "Lucy" largely unattended for two years, the owner found it wouldn't start, had seized rear wheels and mouse damage, and set about reviving it. He traces the diagnosis and fixes that got the engine running again, then begins assessing the rust and welding needed before aiming to get the car through an MOT and into daily use. The write-up is an ongoing personal log rather than a finished restoration, with later notes mentioning a failed starter motor and slow progress.
Specs
As stated in the original write-up.
- Engine
- RC40 variant A-series engine, original unit, restarted after long standing
- Exhaust
- RC40 exhaust system fitted
- Tyres
- Falken tyres
- Interior
- Mini City grey upholstery, original and as yet unchanged
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
- RC40 exhaust system
Exhaust fitted to the car, found rusting after the lay-up but confirmed still in place
In the shops
RC40 Mild Steel Exhaust System ↗
Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $237.50 USD
Exhaust System with RC40 Downpipe - Mini ↗Betaset (France)· €179.85 EUR
Fuel & Ignition 2
- Spark plugs
Removed, cleaned and refitted to help the long-dormant engine fire up
In the shops
NGK Spark Plug ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $5.40 USD
NGK Spark Plug ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $5.40 USD
NGK Spark Plug ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $4.75 USD - HT leads
Removed during diagnosis so the engine could be turned over without compression, then refitted
Brakes 2
- Rear brake shoes and springs
Removed, cleaned and refitted after the rear wheels were found seized
In the shops
TR3-6 Rear Brake Shoe Return Spring ↗
TRGB· £3.85 GBPRear Brake Shoe Upper Return Spring ↗
bpnorthwest.com· $5.52 USD
TR3-4A Rear Brake Shoe Return Spring ↗TRGB· £1.82 GBP - Handbrake cable pivot brackets (L-shaped)
Seized brackets removed, cleaned, greased and refitted to free the rear handbrake mechanism
In the shops
Handbrake Pivot Bracket ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $0.00 USD
Wheels & Tyres 1
- Falken tyresFalken
Fitted tyres noted as looking soft while the car stood
In the shopsFalken Tyre 145/80x10 ↗Motaclan Limited· £55.08 GBP
Electrical 1
- Replacement 12V battery
Fitted new as the old battery would no longer hold charge, allowing the engine to start reliably
In the shopsBattery Clamp 12V ↗Battery Clamp Kit 12V ↗Battery Clamp 12V (Stainless Steel) ↗
Photos
8 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
After nearly two years of only occasional running, the Mini would no longer start at all. The owner found rust around the engine bay and body, bubbling paint, a rusting exhaust, and both rear wheels seized solid despite the handbrake being off.
Getting it running again
With help from his father-in-law, the owner confirmed the starter motor still worked but the battery was flat. Spark plugs and HT leads were removed, cleaned and refitted, and the engine eventually started. Seized rear brake shoes, springs and pivot brackets were stripped, cleaned, greased and reassembled to free the wheels so the car could finally be moved and driven a short distance.
Rust and bodywork assessment
Once out in daylight, the rust proved mostly cosmetic except for the driver's door A-panel, hinge panel and sills, which needed welding. Mice were found to have shredded the bulkhead soundproofing for nesting material. A local welder was asked to quote on the sill and panel repairs, and new A-panel and hinge panel parts were to be sourced from a Mini spares supplier.
Back on the road and future plans
A new battery let the car run reliably enough for short drives around the property. The owner decided to make the Mini his daily driver to keep attention on its remaining issues, with plans to prepare it for an MOT and, later, to fit brighter aftermarket headlights with a more powerful alternator, change the interior trim, and fit a different steering wheel.
Progress so far
A later note records that the starter motor subsequently failed and needs attention, but the owner reports limited free time and slow progress since the initial revival work.
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
- A car left standing in a dry garage can still rust badly if not checked regularly
- Mice can cause hidden damage such as shredding bulkhead soundproofing for nesting
- Running an engine only briefly each month is not enough to prevent batteries and brakes seizing