42 replies to this topic

[scubaet]

This is a twin thread also found on the Specialist Early Mini Forum
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I thought I would start this thread to document my project and give back to the community that has helped me so much on my journey into the mini scene. Warning: I will needs lots of advice!

My name is Elliot, and I'm from across the pond in Orlando, Florida USA. (Yes, near Disney World)

Got started with the mini's by first buying my lovely Wife a 2007 mini, then I bough me a 2003 mini, sold it for a '75 mini, then sold it for what I thought was a '59 project but turned out to be from April of 1960. Ah well, still classifies as early right?

Now that introductions are out of the way here are the car details from the heritage certificate.


Make Austin Mini Seven Saloon
VIN # A-A2S7-L/277xx
Body Number 217xx
Engine Number 8AM-U-H/27828
Specification LHD, North American Export, Super-de-Luxe
Color Farina Grey, Grey Cloth Interior
Date of Build April 28, 1960
Date of Despatch May 4, 1960
Destination Dealer Jacksonville, Florida USA
Factory Equipment Heater, Whitewall tyres

I bought the car as a rusty rolling shell only, no engine, no interior, missing almost everything. So I have a long way to go....

[scubaet]

Edited by scubaet, 23 August 2011 - 07:31 PM.

[scubaet]

Goals for this restoration:

Restore the body to as original as possible. Needs new floors, boot floor, door skins, boot skin. The rest of the body is in amazing condition.

M-Machine, I believe they are the ones to go to for the early floors? Been waiting on a quote from them for a month now. Guess I should have waited before taking car to bare metal

Even though I will be restoring the body as original as possible, I am not going the concourse route so don't beat me up too bad.


Farina Grey
1293 Engine
Twin HS4 Carbs
Kent 276 cam
2.95 diff
10" minilite wheels
cooper s 7.5 discs

Edited by scubaet, 23 August 2011 - 06:55 PM.

[scubaet]

Here are some parts I've sourced from Ebay UK, your shipiping costs are brutal!

For those who were bidding on these also, very sorry! If its any consolation i've seen these go cheaper since I got em.

Please let me know if any of these items are not period correct for a '59 year. (yes I have a '60 but will eventually find a '59)





This one has the later flap, and I paid waaaaaay to much for it.


I think i'm missing the top nut, and I don't know if its the brake or clutch. Know where I can find its other half?






wipers made by rainbow


these came with the car

Edited by scubaet, 23 August 2011 - 07:32 PM.

[scubaet]

Items on my wish list.

'59 brake / clutch master cylinders
Glass washer bottle (not at $700)
Chrome window catches
Door Pulls
Cooper S 7.5" brakes
Anything period specific to 1959/60
Too far gone 1959 shell which the VIN or ID number and a few pannels are salvageable for a reshell.

[scubaet]

Ok, here's the engine in about a million bits.

Quick story, had engine completely rebuilt by a local British restoration shop, got it back and it was great for about a month, then blew a head gasket, had another fitted, month later blew again, repeat, blew a third time. Come to find out when they rebuilt the engine they did everything but shave/skim the block which was warped. Took it back and said they needed to fix it, so they disassembled it, did the machine work, then left it sit on the floor of the shop for 3 months. So I proceeded to go pick up my bits and now they are sitting on the floor of my house.

I've never assembled an entire engine before so this is kind of intimidating. Afraid I'll get it together and leave one critical part out and have to tear it apart again.

So if anyone knows of a start to finish assembly guide please let me know.

Engine specs.
mid '80's 1275 A+ bored to 1293
new pistons
276 Kent Megadyne Camshaft
Ported 12G940 Head
2.95 Diff (did myself, a real pain, will put instructions in another thread)
Twin HS4 1.5inch carbs
uprated clutch
all ballanced
ARP Bolts head and conrods
double chain something

When it was running it was fast! Hope I can get it going again.

[scubaet]

Parts from an april of 1960 Austin Seven 850, if you see anything you want let me know and I will list it on ebay. There are some items from other years so make sure you know what you want or ask me any questions about it. A lot of these are the same for '59 cars as well.

if anything is listed incorrectly please let me know.


rare flat top radiator




original wiring harness


fuel pump, unknown if 1960


arial / aentenna










stick shift, unknown year


toe not for sale












fan from a 998 engine


1275 camshaft




generator


1275 rockers

cooper s ? GT block?


I'm in the USA so shipping may be expensive for some items.

Edited by scubaet, 23 August 2011 - 07:34 PM.

[analogue_radio]

Bloody lovely!

[MiniLuke]

Wow. looks like a great project. How did the floors rust, I was under the impression it didn't rain in Florida... . Could do with visiting Disney World, do you want a hand with the welding??

Will be following your project closely. It had white wall tyres from the factory... you have got to give it some again!

Good luck.

[scubaet]

Not sure how the floors rusted, don't have any history on the car other than its been in a storage unit the last 10 years. I'm guessing it sat under a carport with dirt or grass underneath for an extended time. Cause everything above the floors is great.

I haven't found any companies that make a 10" whitewall tire wide enough, will have to do the addon rings unless you know of any manufacturers.

[scubaet]

Can anyone assist me with installing the pistons? I did not take them out of the engine and the person who did did not mark which direction or cylinder they went in.

There is no front back to the piston itself, they are non directional, or the same all around.
There are numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 on the bottom of the conrods.
The bottom of the conrods have one side that is fatter than the other.
1275 A+ block

Is there a specific order they need to be in? Does it matter which way the conrods face?

Edited by scubaet, 14 August 2011 - 04:42 PM.

[josh.goddard]

i am the biggest lover of mk1 minis would kill for one

[project mini chris]

3 words to some it up so far... I love it!
Keep up the good work and i can't wait to see it completed

[L. Brown]

here you go

[L. Brown]

here you go

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