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Hi,new to the forum but any advice welcome,we bought the last TRZ and built it 7+ years ago,its on the button brand new and unused,what makes it a little interesting is we have original plans etc,rather than going down the usual Yamaha and Suzuki engine route we spent months negotiating with Triumph and managed to secure 2 brand new 1200cc water cooled 4 cylinder 150 BHP engines,these had mega torque and of course the right badge,one is still sitting oiled up and new in the crate. A forum member SteveD was interesting in finding 1 many moons ago but i cant now locate him.

My eldest has bought some deep dish wheels for his Mini, they look great but don't fit, they catch on the wing. So, it looks like I'm going to have to grind off an inch or so to allow the wheels and tyres room to turn. Before I go down this drastic route (it's a sound car bodywork wise, feels like sacrilege to cut it about), I'll see if there are other options he would entertain like sending them back and making do with the std wheels, but he seems keen and they are "supposed" to fit and understand some modification is expected. As far it'll go right lock Yep the are fat and out there! Full left lock only being stopped by the offside tyre hitting the wing but a bit more room (not under weight though) My plan, which I need advice on please, is: With a suitably sized grinder, cut away just enough of the wing to allow free movement of the wheels under load Q: Should I aim to replicate the folded edge and trim that, won't I crack the paint by bending it or would a straight edge be ok? I don't think the replacement arches need the lip for mounting and the rivnuts are where they need to be, clean and solid Clean, sand and treat the bare metal edge Q: what should I use to treat the bare metal, how long should I leave it to "set"? Then while masked up, give the new edge a couple coats of matched BRG from a rattle can - I'm no good at this but I think it needs a coat or two and it will be hidden by the replacement arches anyway. Objective here is to keep it sealed and rust free rather than pretty With the same BRG rattle can, give the new fibreglass arches once sanded and holes drilled for the rivnut bolts a few coats Q: for a quality job I guess I need to do this under cover e.g. shed and dust free and ONLY apply a coat or two and allow to dry for a few hours before applying another couple - is this about right? New arches attached using the existing rivnuts which are all in good condition; whilst a similar size to the originals are actually shallower i.e. designed for wider wheels so they won't need chopping about My other plan of course is to explain to him the error of his ways and send him packing to a local body-shop and have him pay to get it done professionally. Advice welcomed before I take possession of @Ian Tolfree (tolf) - North London AO's grinder!!

SOLD Mini Cooper S Convertible 2005 54,000 Black Chilli Pack Sat Nav Leather seats Electric hood Air Con (chiller) Cruise Control Onboard computer 12 months MOT Full Service history - just serviced Careful Lady driver since Dec 2008 £4,995 In Hawkwell Essex SS5

Looking for a classic mini in good order for my eldest who is 17 and now taking driving lessons. We are in North London Herts so if anyone knows of anythoing local that would be useful. Thanks.