Mini Cooper: attn Octane Guy

[gorin002]

Re: Mini Cooper: attn Octane Guy

devil on wheels pass by

[ronniejay]

Re: Mini Cooper: attn Octane Guy

Richard,

What is the story behind not running, repairs, and on storage lot?

[OctaneGuy]

Re: Mini Cooper: attn Octane Guy

The original owner was passing through LA, he was relocating from Wisconsin to Hawaii for a new job and was driving his car to Long Beach port for shipping, but it broke down on the way with a blown head due to some aftermarket parts. The car had mods that would have invalidated any warranty work, so essentially to fix the car, he would have to fly back from Hawaii, spend time fixing, and arranging to get it back to Hawaii, so after 3 weeks of figuring what to do, he put it for sale on the MINI forum.

I happened to be looking for a good deal on a 2005 MINI to replace my MINI since my model year was known for tranny failures---already replaced it once under warranty. Anyhow, Long Beach was only 20 minutes from me, so he was looking for a "hot" buyer to buy the car. Further I was about to go to Hawaii the next week for vacation, so I actually had a chance to meet the owner in person and talk about it--he gave me the keys to look at it when I returned from my vacation. But the car was in pretty sorry shape, but I felt fairly confident that I could not only repair it but restore the finish.

Richard,

What is the story behind not running, repairs, and on storage lot?

[gb387]

Re: Mini Cooper: attn Octane Guy

Looks great now! I give you credit for going out on a limb and purchasing the car in the condition it was in, can't say that I would ever do that. I am sure you bought it right... the before and afters don't even look like the same car!

[OctaneGuy]

Re: Mini Cooper: attn Octane Guy

Thanks. Yeah I bought the car. The owner was an enthusiast on the MINI forum I frequent, so there was some legitimacy there. Also, he described how the car broke down, so the question was to what extent was the damage, and could there be other unknown but related issues. So yeah there was risk involved, but I consulted with two mechanic friends and one was going to help me install a new head if I needed to, fortunately it didn't come down to that.

Btw, the paint looks good from a few feet away. Get up close, and you still see bug impacts, sand blasting, and other defects. Not a pretty sight, lol.

Richard

Looks great now! I give you credit for going out on a limb and purchasing the car in the condition it was in, can't say that I would ever do that. I am sure you bought it right... the before and afters don't even look like the same car!

[Blaze]

Re: Mini Cooper: attn Octane Guy

Hehe I love the pictures and comments you posted about your car, especially:

So what if there are a few bugs on the paint

It still looked cute even with all of the bugs on it ... but now it looks simply incredible! And congrats on your new baby =)

[OctaneGuy]

Re: Mini Cooper: attn Octane Guy

Haha, thanks! I just had my springs changed out yesterday. I bought some new H&R springs from my favorite shop, they did the labor and a few other tuneups while I polished his car that he's listing for sale. I had HSports but they lowered my car a bit too much especially when I had it fully loaded with all my detailing gear.

Just a few snapshots while I'm still working on the writeup of this 1972 Buik Skylark.





Test Spot Results

Hehe I love the pictures and comments you posted about your car, especially:
It still looked cute even with all of the bugs on it ... but now it looks simply incredible! And congrats on your new baby =)

[gorin002]

Re: Mini Cooper: attn Octane Guy

you have your own bridge ?

[OctaneGuy]

Re: Mini Cooper: attn Octane Guy

Well in the US, we call that a lift. And this is not my shop, it's a friend of mine that works from his home.

you have your own bridge ?

[gorin002]

Re: Mini Cooper: attn Octane Guy

Well in the US, we call that a lift. And this is not my shop, it's a friend of mine that works from his home.

a lift.here a lift is elevator
and your lift is here a bridge
if i had a lift be easyer to get behind the wheels
to clean them up

[OctaneGuy]

Re: Mini Cooper: attn Octane Guy

Haha and your bridge is something that we drive on or walk across!

Yeah it would be easier to get behind the wheels for sure, especially on those lowered cars where I can't even get my hand between the wheel and the fender.

But naw, this one doesn't belong to me.

a lift.here a lift is elevator
and your lift is here a bridge
if i had a lift be easyer to get behind the wheels
to clean them up

[Murr1525]

Re: Mini Cooper: attn Octane Guy

Its a shame that Skylark looks so boring....

[TrufflePig]

Re: Mini Cooper: attn Octane Guy

looks awesome as usual Richard. your work is wicked.

what was wrong with it?