1st project - open to suggestions!

Helloo, I'm Lois from Warwickshire, at university in Cornwall.
I don't know a lot about cars, this project is so that by the end of it I know plenty. I will probably ask for a lot of help and suggestions, and I'm a quick learner so please don't hesitate your input! All work done so far has been by myself and my very helpful friends.

I'm already about half way through my project, and have just got to the engine stage and am struggling to make decisions..

So, the baby:
£1400 bought on here in September 2011
1983
1.3
Rustless 8) (except bonnet underneath)

Really good condition, but I'm fussy and wanted it my own way.

Here she is how I bought her….




So far, I've ripped everything out, removed the 1.3 and given it a good clean, turned the sunroof into a hole for a rag top, had the arches touched up on and had a full inside out spray flat matt army green.


Heres a few pictures of the progress….


Sanding by hand takes a long time.



Engine out



Having a big hole cut in the roof of your Mk1 is very scary



Bought a second hand old MG ragtop for cheapish, was in a horrible state. had it refurbished by Gary at Littleport Boat Haven, did an absolute sterling job. ^



Le fin product, with an idiot inside



Snatched up some lovely swallowtail front seats, hmm but what to do with the covers..



Big thanks to Damien at Dents8, Birmingham for putting up with my fussyness when it came to bodywork and paint colours



Oven time



Finally home! this where we are today….



What next? So far, the plans are:
- Decide and do something with my seat covers
- Fit a nice new carpet and headlining
- Lower to a sexy ride height and perfect 'stance'
- Stick shinny wheels on, I've got some gunmetal 15" BBS RZ's but I've changed my mind to white 15" deep dish banded steels
- (And the big one) Decide and fit an engine, be it the original or something else


So please be nice forum, I'm no mechanic so if you have any ideas or advice then please do chuck it at me!

Fair play dude, you're clearly not scared haha.

Looks great so far, loving the roof.

Yea i'd just make sure she sits right to pull off the colour.

Nice work so far.

As for engine choice depends on lots of things really.

£££ is the obvious one as is insurance (depending on age)

What will you be using the car for? Do you want lots of power or something retro?

What about a nice 1.8 GTI engine in there?? If you've got help from friends I'm sure it could be done fairly easily.

Good luck with it whatever you decide to do.

Smudger

Thanks Spilz!

So my first (and biggest) question to you guys…

RECOMMENDED ENGINE CONVERSION?

- It needs to be able to happily withstand a 5 hour drive without me worrying about getting to warm or anything, between uni and home (which is twice every two months or so often?)
- I have quite a flexible budget (within reason, I am a student)
- HAS to happily sit in the cold without moaning too much when only used 3 or 4 times a week
- Can't be too big. As much as I'd love something big and fast, my priorities are being reliable and comfortable. Also, insurance is an issue (I love being 18..)
- Not require the knowledge of a brain surgeon to fit it.

And that's about it! I could keep the original 1.3, but I think it's silly to take a 30 year old engine out, and put it back in; especially in a lovely freshly painted engine bay. But maybe I'm wrong! Please be honest, every opinion will help

Bump! Any ideas?