Bumper in the making

Further more to the other posts on the bumper I got chance to remove the original bumper from the mould, sadly the bumper which was made from up to 4 different sections it could not be removed in 1 part, it was just too weak.

Well I just had to hope that while the bumper was destroyed that the mould is all OK... Then with the mould in hand I broke out the angle grinder and then started to remove all of the edges so that it was sage to handle and also that it would be easier to make a mould from,

Now that the mould was all trimmed I decided that I would get a head start on the new bumper by getting the mould laminated with the bumper. Time will tell how it comes out.

Bumper GRP mould

With the bumper made on the last post I thought I had better get a move on with it. I need to make some changes to the bumper but its getting a little difficult due to how many parts are making it.

With the bumper on the car I brushed on the gel coat and then started to apply the glass fibre. I believe the only way to make a good bumper which will fit after its been mould is to mould it on the car. Too many body kits and bumpers out there just do not fit as they are moulded off the car.

With the bumper moulded it was then taken off the car and I will now make a bumper from it, make the modifications and maybe then will again take a mould so I have the perfect bumper and mould should I need it again.

Also while I am building busy the castings have taken a trip over to sutton soda blasters and I have to say I am really happy with the finish, they all look as new and maybe even better than new.

The body shop have also been busy and have started the work, the job is flawless, they are really giving the car the attention and time needed. I have started to collected lots of parts which have been painted, this is the colour, glacier white.

Then other than I have been making lots of carbon parts for the car

New bumper made

With the car back with me I have been working hard on it and several other parts, so much so I have neglected to get an update done.

I have for a long time liked the look of the new JCW bumper (R56) and I have wanted to put it on my car except it is totally a different size so I have had to blend the to bumpers together but I am happy to report its going well.

I borrowed a mini and rough cut the bumpers to nearly the right size and foam filled the bumper to hold it together to help me shape it.

The bumper lines where then marked up and re-cut to give me straight lines to work with, this was then foam filled again to allow me to shape the bumper

With the bumper and foam in a basic shape, I started to throw body filler in to give me a good basis

 With the filler in place I then followed this by many hours of shaping and sanding will I ended up with a bumper as close as I can get it. I will then make a GRP mould of the bumper, I will then make a bumper and finish it off. I am very happy with the way it has come out.

Will get the mould made soon and will also get the update up of the now finished rear bumper

BIVA

after receiving the following response I thought I would put a response together

"Hi i was wondering when you have finished the car will you have to have it
checked out by someone....ie for its road worthyness and safety......"

Well to sum this up simply the answer is yes, within the UK any modifications which alter the chassis in any way must be inspected. The mini is a monocoque chassis and therefore chopping the roof off has altered the chassis. I could if I want MOT the car and drive it round but this would technically not be legal.

Throughout the whole car build I am having to follow a manual known as the BIVA ir IVA this outlines all the features my car has to fall into, all the markings on seat belts, glass and anything else fitted to the car.

The IVA manual can be downloaded free from the DVLA.

With the car finished it will then need to take a trip to a local inspection area where it will be checked over in accordance to the manual. Once this is done the car will then be open to the normal MOT but the main thing that will change is the car will be plated as a Q to show it is modified or has had work done on the chassis which is on and above simply changing parts out

Hope this helps.

Ideally when people send a contact please put your email and I can then get back to you. Cheers