It's coming - was The Blue Potato, but 45% smaller

[the blue potato]

So I am finally getting back into the swing of things and now just starting to get things in motion. The next project is under way now and March 30th will be the day when it all starts. Some of you may know what I am working on and some may not (you can read my blog for the answer), so I will just start to tease a little until that day comes. In the meantime, I feel alive again and ready with a blank canvas and have already purchased some 'paints' - here are a few...

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[Agent☣Orange]

Can't wait to follow this one! Thanks for the mini preview.

[revlimiter]

I hope you have minimal problems in acquiring the new canvas.

[WASABI]

I rally like where this is going....http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/small.jpg

[iRoadster]

I dare say that I might like this better than the Potato. Is that wrong?

[etikoner]

This should be epic. I love the offwhite color I see on lots of the pics on your blog. Something like that would be great.

Or why not continue the Blue potato theme with this one ;0

[the blue potato]

It will have some blue potato infused....just not blue this time around.

[Phatmiata]

this is exciting!!! can't wait!! Im a Mini fan too, they are just as fun!! That car looks CLEAN too!!

[psulja]

Just took a look at your blog last night, looking forward to updates! Love those old Mini's!

[the blue potato]

Sheesh - where has the time gone!? More pics I say (sorry lads for being so quiet)....here are some updates, but many more to come...

http://www.thebluepotato.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/kn13.jpg

http://www.thebluepotato.net/mini/cooling36.jpg

http://www.thebluepotato.net/mini/cooling32.jpg

http://www.thebluepotato.net/mini/cooling20.jpg

http://www.thebluepotato.net/mini/cooling21.jpg

http://www.thebluepotato.net/mini/cooling28.jpg

http://www.thebluepotato.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/DSC_1079.jpg

http://www.thebluepotato.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/DSC_1058.jpg

[the blue potato]

And finally got the single binnacle out of Basil and put in a racy 3 gauge pod. I mean seriously, why do they even have single ones?! I have a ton of interior work to go, but the next big steps are:
1) Super Sporty Exhaust to be installed
2) Call the 3 Amigos and remove engine and strip down car
3) Repaint and put new interior in and get back to normal

Several paint ideas floating around, but will keep that to myself for now.

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[the blue potato]

And some wheel pRon...but wheels are off for now until I get the arches sorted. Shop look familiar to anyone?

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[ctrench]

i love the mini!!! are those really 10" rims?!?

[theothersawyer]

Looking good! I assume the shop is Rspeed, since I see Foo and it looks like Rspeed! lol

[atlnb]

Hmmm sawyer might be on to something..

I'm really enjoying the progress. The three gauge is a really neat piece of kit. Cheers!

[tsingson]

Wow. :shock: Those wheels are amazing.

[the blue potato]

New Maniflow exhaust installed this weekend at some chop shop near my house ;-)

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Then the money shots - photos by Hector.

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[Willywongka]

All of a sudden I am not angry at you for selling 'The Blue Potatoe'

[treeafodo]

Wow, that looks very clean! Nice work so far!

[revlimiter]

Wow! Excellent progress sir!

damn, I need more garage space. I wanna do an old car like this...

[AntiochOG]

This is awesome. A mini is definitely on the list of cars I want to own at some point in my life.

[Phatmiata]

Looks great! are you coming to Florida for the MINI & Mickey event? Im registered for 2012 man, we should link up and have some brews before the end of the world!

[samulis]

Love the wheels, nice project.


damn, I need more garage space. I wanna do an old car like this...

No, that's the best thing about these, they take half the space of miata.

Had 1989 1.9 and there was never problem with parking in city. Tho I learn'd to dislike Lucas.

[afc2112]

All of a sudden I am not angry at you for selling 'The Blue Potato'

This is a 1000x cooler, imo.

Minis rock! I almost bought one years ago to replace my NA...

[the blue potato]

Just a small update - and one that will lead into bigger things....I finally had a chance to identify the right body guy for my restoration this year. Basil will undergo a color change as well as a big injection of period-look update. I cannot tell you how important it is to find the right body guy, but this one comes from the Miata community and well, it feels like home again.

So with that said, Basil will be stripped down my yours truly - including engine, suspension, windows, interior, etc....and body shell and subframes will be transported over to Sentry Body in Lilburn, GA for the work to start. Will do my best to update where I can here, but I also started a new job and need to focus on getting ramped up correctly.

Some of you have been asking about color - and what I can tell you is that it will be period correct and I am struggling between two. I thought I was set on one last night, until my friend reminding me again how much green has always been a favorite of mine for years. So we will see. Not doing the Laguna Blue in case any of you from the funny bin have any wise cracks. Stay tuned....

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[afc2112]

^ Sounds like quite an undertaking.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this takes shape.

[sillysaurus]

Its so adorable! I WANT A MINI SO BAD!

[theothersawyer]

Can't wait to see the new color! Sentry does good work!

[the blue potato]

Well, only skuffed one knuckle over the weekend. Not bad considering what I removed.

Check it all out here: http://www.thebluepotato.net/blog/

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[the blue potato]

Just a few small updates....working like a pig on a new job that I have (one that has nothing to do with Mini's mind you) and traveling a bit. But tomorrow I hope to have the rear sub-frame finally out and the door glass out. Other than that, wiring loom will be tagged and bagged for paint as well as some sanding of tape residue inside the body. Also waiting on a shipment from the UK that I need before he goes to body shop.

Report #3 (http://www.thebluepotato.net/blog/2013/04/restoration-report3-prepping-for-rear-subframe-and-interior/)

Report #4 (http://www.thebluepotato.net/blog/2013/04/restoration-report4-getting-into-the-thick-of-it/)

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[tsingson]

I always loved the original MINIs.