A very special little R53 MINI (now with Milltek)

[_Stu_]

Today saw a job I’ve been putting off for a while but wanted done before being tucked away for winter. With the new wheels on I noticed just how mucky inside the arches were and it was bugging my OCD. Took the wheels off and used some of @Big Pimp finest products to tidy everything up. Was only a quick clean down and certainly not perfect but it makes it look much better. Only remembered to take one “before” shot.

 

[_Stu_]

I have been off the forum for around 6 months now but decided to come back and give an update on project Seth.

The paintwork was starting to get worse, especially the front end where stone chips were starting to cause little bits of lacquer peel. I had planned on getting the car painted last year but then 2020 did it’s thing and put halt to pretty much every plan I had for the year. This year I brought it out of storage a little earlier than normal and left it to @Wild Thing for a service and timing chain tensioner, then started the task of finding a body shop to tackle the paint. After visiting several body shops I decided to go with WJ Blair in Doagh. I MOTd the car a little early as I didn’t want the MOT to expire while it was away and then not be able to get a date for weeks after getting it back. A couple of days after the MOT I dropped it up to Doagh and a few weeks later I got it back looking like a new car.

I opted to get the whole bottom half painted. The roof was in good enough condition anyway. Every panel on the lower half had some type of imperfection so it seemed pointless to only paint the front end and the rear quarter panel. If I get something done on this car I want it done right.

Having never really had any bodywork done on any car before I was a bit worried about any issues that might come up but thankfully there were no problems at all, not even any rust on the boot lid which is incredibly common, and the paint job carried out was first class.

Some progress pics:

And finally a couple of pictures with it finished and a nice new set of plates made up and fitted.

To say I’m over the moon with how it looks is an understatement. I was nearly scared to drive home over the motorway in case I got a stone chip. Next job on the list is a trip to @big_pete to do the finishing touches, apply some protection, and get the masses of plastic trim coated in C4.

I still have a list of other jobs I want to do with the interior and underside but they can wait for a while. I always said I’ll never sell this one so there’s plenty of time to work through my plans.

Cheers

 

[Blackie]

Looks fabulous mate!

 

[e320mark]

Cracking looking wee car!!

 

[svensktoppen]

It's really worth getting a ceramic coating on it after all that work respraying. Not only really brings out the finish, but makes it so much easier to keep it clean. Plus protects the paint from bird poo, sap, etc.

 

[Herbert Austin]

Stewart looks an excellent job

 

[_Stu_]

It's really worth getting a ceramic coating on it after all that work respraying. Not only really brings out the finish, but makes it so much easier to keep it clean. Plus protects the paint from bird poo, sap, etc.

I’m really torn about what to do. I love the idea of ceramic coating but I’m quite old skool in that I actually still really enjoy waxing my cars and spending a Sunday afternoon making them look their best. I feel ceramic coating might take that away from me.

 

[svensktoppen]

It just means more time enjoying the car

I know what you mean but it's not like you won't need to clean and look after the car. It just protects the paint far better than any wax, and makes the cleaning and looking after it much easier.

 

[ossy2004]

It just means more time enjoying the car

I know what you mean but it's not like you won't need to clean and look after the car. It just protects the paint far better than any wax, and makes the cleaning and looking after it much easier.

Are you on commission?

car looks great Stu, fair play!

 

[Carson]

Great job, looks really well.

Check out the YouTube video @big_pete did on my JCW and it’s surprising that even fresh paint has defects. With what you’ve invested in having it painted, it’s a no brainer to coat it and protect it going forward.

 

[_Stu_]

Well I’ve listened to the advice given to me (for a change) and booked in with @big_pete for ceramic coating next week. Never had a car coated before but I think it’s the best option and am really excited to see how it looks when done.

I joined some members of the R&F MINI Owners today at EuroTreffen. Really good day out and the atmosphere was so chilled. Thoroughly enjoyed it and it was made only better by the weather behaving itself.

Last night I was tasked with helping a couple of other owners get their cars prepped for today. Needless to say I’m fed up with washing cars for a while now.

 

[svensktoppen]

Brilliant

Hope you charged those other lazy so-and-sos

 

[Mr.Mint]

This car is a credit to you!

Great to see it being looked after so well.

 

[_Stu_]

Well @big_pete worked his magic once again. Completely over the moon at how the paint has come up after a minor correction and ceramic coating.

I think that’s all the work I’ll do on the car this year. Still some other areas to sort out. Next will be the interior probably.

 

[Blackie]

Wow!! Stunning mate, simply stunning.

 

[svensktoppen]

Well done, looks amazing Wouldn't change a thing!

 

[ossy2004]

Seen this little beaut parked up…. Thought I’d take a wee snap car looks superb Stu

 

[_Stu_]

A couple more updates for project Seth. First off the heated windscreen. Unfortunately this had a large chip in it and the heating elements were starting to fail. Decided the best option was to replace it so got that fitted last night.

Also on Tuesday I went to pick up my anthracite headlining and trims from @Lauren_E . This is something I’ve been wanting for years and it’s incredibly rare for them to come up for sale. Last night I started stripping the interior panels and old headliner to prepare the car for fitting the new one this morning. Weather wasn’t exactly on my side but the photo shows how stripped the car was this morning so I had to fit the new one and rebuild the interior in between rain showers. It makes such a difference and gives the interior a more premium feel. Definitely one of my favourite upgrades

Mileage is now at 115k and everything still running happily. I’ve a few more upgrades in the pipeline but I’m so chuffed with how well this little car is coming together now.

 

[ALN]

Flipping miss mine now

 

[_Stu_]

Yet more unexpected updates for 2021. @Lauren_E made it an expensive year for me when she decided to break her hyper blue R53. I decided to treat myself to her Aero front bumper and skirts as it’s so rare for them to come up in the same colour. Fitted the bumper a couple of weeks ago then this morning went to get new trim clips from BMW to fit the side skirts. Over the moon with how the wee car looks now. That will likely be everything for this year (it has been a lot to be fair) and I’ll put it away for winter in a couple of weeks.

 

[Blackie]

Absolutely stunning!

 

[svensktoppen]

Brilliant

 

[_Stu_]

That’s Seth (aka project Seth) back on the road for 2022. Can’t believe it’s been 5 years since I was gifted this car. Not much has changed from the big hit on my wallet in 2021 but there are big plans for this year.

I got my hands on a chrome line interior pack so set about fitting it. I know lots of people hate chrome and I’m usually not a fan myself but I think it just works really well with these MINIs.

Also last week saw the first proper clean since it was put away for winter storage.

Now on to the exciting bit! I had planned on going to the International Mini Meet in Germany this year but unfortunately it got cancelled. I was going with a group of friends and we decided to still stick with our plans. All being well we will be visiting Amsterdam, a couple of cities in Germany, the Alsace region of France and the Swiss alps on our trip. I will be sure to take plenty of pics and keep a bit of a diary of our trip. It is quite a tall order for the cars but I’ll be doing as much prep as possible to make sure it is ready for such a journey.

Some future plans possibly include:
Eibachs
GP rear bumper trims
15% reduced pulley
JCW or Orranje airbox

Anyway, here’s how Seth looks now. Thanks for reading

 

[Blackie]

 

[big_pete]

Such a lovely little car Stuart, David would be proud.