Rothmans Build.

[pushrod]

Finally got some pictures sorted and this is what I've been up to with the help of a good body shop.........or two.

I had a really good shell care of a Genuine Harrier.
Got the arches on with not a lot of fuss, pretty straightforward and a good job. Didn't know weather to leave mounting rivets showing or not but decieded to cover them up and happy that I did.

Shell still looking good, stripped the paint off and found several bits of rot.
Usual places I suppose, rear pillar, door pillar ect ect. Very small but got sorted.
All bits were cut out and replaced.









That kind of left me with the usual ugly brute of an inbetween car.





Finally into primer,






and then a finished coat of White.
Two new skins fitted to the doors, sprayed seperately and fitted.






Very very tempted to leave as is but didn't

[pushrod]

Carried on with the paint job.

Under a bit of pressure to decal the entire car, stripes and all as these kits are available.

I have been told that by the use of a mock up, a hairdryer and by wet fitting, they will be made to mould to the shape of arches.
Personally I just couldn't see it and for every expert that said it could be done, there were 2 graphics experts saying it couldn't.
Would like to know if anyone has tried this approach.

Anyway took the traditional route and tens rolls of masking tape and half a tree of paper. I'm sure half the car is blue!

Many thanks to those who helped with pictures, drawings and dimensions ect ect. Obviously invaluable in a case like this!!

It's about now you learn that not all Rothmans are the same and vary quite a lot, (if your an anorak, which I am by now ), depending on the car and the rally










Time for a little splash of yellow!







A visit to the nuthouse to spring the body shop guru who is having a bad hair day! Then some more tape work







A little touch of an orangey/pinky/redy
And then all of a sudden the cacoon opens and the butterfly spreads its wings





At last it's great to see and the hard work has paid off.

[DWpieter]

stunning car ! realy nice !!!

[Aled]

Brilliant work.....it was a pleasure to see it in the flesh....amazing car

[pushrod]

Just a small matter of reftting everything that was stripped, which was just about everything. All windows back in, no breakages
rest of gear on without too much trouble then time for the nice bit like wheels!





Then finally the decals,







And finally, before it left the bodyshop a little get together with Bill's own Mini.



And that is more or less that.
Slightly lowered now, waiting on spots, sunstrip fitting on going, thanks Tongy, and then some more cleaning and polishing.

The car is done as the Ari V, 1980 Circuit of Ireland and thanks to the guys on here who pointed me to the right places to get an accurate, detailed decals, IE door cards! ect ect.

Thanks again to everyone who helped and hopefully most will get a chance to see her out and about at a show or two.

[taffr]

lots of graft gone into that mike, well worth the effort

[pushrod]

[vinny]

looks great mike, thats not the harrier you pipped me to is it ?

[Mark M]

very nice.
you've done a great job.

[Stace]

Excellent work and it looks bloody lovely. Hope you have fun blasting it round

[acheyford]

very nice mike lots of work looked excellent in portrush
beside that yellow mex

now drive it i'm going to donegal tonight do you fancy taking it down

[Dave Raver]

Saw it the Causeway Ford Fair in Portrush..... Lovely motor. Nice one!

[Tongy]

I belive yummage is the correct word mike .
Superb work there and i just love the rothmans livery .

[pushrod]

Thanks for the comments lads

looks great mike, thats not the harrier you pipped me to is it ?

LOL No it's not. I still have that one and drive it about all the time. I don't suppose you want to hear that I think its a fantastic standard lovely little motor and far to good to chop!
This Harrier had already had significant mods to its engine and running gear

very nice mike lots of work looked excellent in portrush
beside that yellow mex

now drive it i'm going to donegal tonight do you fancy taking it down

Drive it I will James, but not to Donegal tonight

Even put a set of front flaps on!!
Was told you can get like a clear decal to go on to the rear arches to protect the paintwork, has anyone seen these and what do they look like fitted. I'm thinking they would look crap, better off with battered paintwork??

[vinny]

phewwwwwwwwwwwwwww