5 replies to this topic

[MDG]

Hi All

 

I'm Mark from South Africa. About 11 years ago, my dad and I started to rebuild a 1962 mini cooper 998. Sadly the project came to a holt about 8 years ago after we had put in 2 years of work due to a guy respraying only the roof. I had sprayed the entire car, but had difficulty spraying the center of the roof. So we were advised of a spray painter and he ended up messing the entire car, respraying not only the roof, but the body too and leaving behind orange peel and poor finish. My father passed away 3 years ago and I am restarting the project in honour of him.

 

Monies are a little tight and will do it slowly.

 

I am actually hunting down a book in which my dad made notes on all the modifications we made. I cannot remember what size we bored the engine too. It was a 1275, and have a feeling it is now around a 1340........

 

Initially we were going to take it back to complete original condition, but after reading John Parnell's book and working out the costs, it was too expensive. So we finally decided to make it our own.

 

The journey will be a long one and getting parts from the UK very expensive, but I am looking forward to the hard work and final result.

 

Some of the early pictures. Sadly it doesnt look this good in real life.

Attached Files

•  Brian1.jpg   56.41K   3 downloads
•  Dash.JPG   51.12K   5 downloads
•  Engine.JPG   60.89K   6 downloads
•  Interior.JPG   46.94K   3 downloads
•  Mark.JPG   52.65K   12 downloads

[Vinay-RS]

Welcome! Lovely looking Mini. Looks like a later MkIII shell, with a 998 motor and twin carbs. Best of luck with the restoration/rebuild.

 

I'm sure you're aware that there is also a local Mini forum: samini.co.za, 

There are also a few local Mini car clubs (MOCSA, OMC) in Jo'burg and they have regular meets where you'll get to meet all the Mini enthusiasts in Gauteng. 

[Itsaminithing]

.... Looks like a later MkIII shell....

Mk4 if you please.... i don't own a SA mini but even i can tell the difference

 

Therefore ignore originality, build the Mini YOU want.... Seen plenty of original cars that have had shed-loads of money thrown at them but they often don't look as good as a car that's had original & unique changes that don't cost much except lots & lots of time. Best of luck with the project.

[Vinay-RS]

 

.... Looks like a later MkIII shell....

Mk4 if you please.... i don't own a SA mini but even i can tell the difference

 

Therefore ignore originality, build the Mini YOU want.... Seen plenty of original cars that have had shed-loads of money thrown at them but they often don't look as good as a car that's had original & unique changes that don't cost much except lots & lots of time. Best of luck with the project.

 

We didn't really get anything past the MkIII shell, to be honest. There was a MkI (until 67ish), then a MkII (until the end of 1969), and then a MkIII (from 70-79). Then round nose Mini production in SA stopped. We didn't get the transition from mkIII to MkIV, etc. 

 

I do agree with the second part. It's not standard or original, so make it your own :) 

[Itsaminithing]

....and then a MkIII (from 70-79)

In the UK the cars built from May 1976 with a Single bolt subframe  (+ larger Allegro style pedals, + ignition lock from the Princess with twin stalk controls) are referred to as Mk4.

-did SA cars get the rubber mounted single bolt subframes? You got the pedals, stalks, ignition set up, switches etc from the Mk4.

[blueovalcraig]

Hi and welcome to the forum.