Learner Driver
Posted 23 February 2018 - 10:00 AM
So I bought a mini last week with a fibreglass flip front...I didn't really give it much of a second thought but how safe are these things?? I'm not planning on crashing it ... but it looks pretty flimsy!!!!
I've got a 6 point roll cage - is there anything else I should be looking at doing??
Crazy About Mini's
Posted 23 February 2018 - 10:53 AM
Edited by cal844, 23 February 2018 - 11:03 AM.
..is NOT a girl!
Posted 23 February 2018 - 10:59 AM
A traditional GRP chopped strand moulding is roughly twice as strong as sheet mild steel when compared weight for weight. It's also easier to make larger pieces with localised thickness and other feature to enhance the structure. The big downside is usually how you attach it to the car. Also, of course, strength isn't everything, surviving an impact is mostly about controlling where the forces go and dissipating the energy.
Uncle Cooperman, Voted Mr TMF 2011
Posted 23 February 2018 - 11:11 PM
The Mini is a monocoque structure which means that as designed the dynamic and possible crash loads are taken throughout the entire body structure.
A GRP front wil never have the structural integrity of the correct steel front, despite what some may tell you about strengthening bars, etc. The reason for this is that it is extremely difficult to resolve the loads in a cash case except by doing complicated stress analysis using strain gauges in simulated crashes, then transposing this data into a stress analysis programme and designing support structure. The cost of doing this properly would be huge, so suppliers of GRP fronts simply 'guess' and, IMHO, that is simply not good enough.
The best thing to do is to replace the RP front end with proper steel panels and thus put both the strength and value back into the car.
Crazy About Mini's
Posted 24 February 2018 - 05:46 AM
Wear a crash helmet, 4 point harness and pray.I've got a 6 point roll cage - is there anything else I should be looking at doing??
Learner Driver
Posted 26 February 2018 - 03:27 PM
The best thing to do is to replace the RP front end with proper steel panels and thus put both the strength and value back into the car.
Whilst thinking about it -
I've come to the conclusion I'll either make it a full track day beast and do an engine swap keeping the RP front or I'll put the steel back in and bring it back to some modicum of orginalality
Can you have removable front steel ends?? Are they safe?? I was thinking bonnet and then have some bolts you can undo and lift the whole steel front section off?!?!
One Carb Or Two?
Posted 26 February 2018 - 04:38 PM
You can make a flip front from steel panels, and make it removeable....
But
It doesn't have the same amount of structural integrity as a completely welded and attached panel.... so not really much point in doing it...
Uncle Cooperman, Voted Mr TMF 2011
Posted 26 February 2018 - 08:42 PM
The only real safe front is the original type welded steel panel version.
Why would you not want a standard front as to have any sort of 'flip front', GRP or steel, seriously de-values the car, reduces safety and gains nothing.
Most Mini enthusiasts would not pay much for a car with a non-original front and would de-value it in their eyes by the cost of changing back to a standard front including the necessary painting.
One Carb Or Two?
Posted 27 February 2018 - 10:31 AM
He's not asked as to the value of the car but if it is safe or not....
Moved Into The Garage
Posted 27 February 2018 - 12:38 PM
It is clearly less safe on the road than a standard Mini would be.......which compared with the modern cars designed like battering rams that surround you, is not saying much. Either way make sure you drive a classic Mini defensively, as you would a motorbike in modern traffic.
Edited by mab01uk, 27 February 2018 - 12:38 PM.
Up Into Fourth
Posted 27 February 2018 - 01:32 PM
He's not asked as to the value of the car but if it is safe or not....
Learner Driver
Posted 27 February 2018 - 02:25 PM
Ok thanks guys...
Really helpfully info :)
I'll either full restore it and recon A series 1275 in or just swap the engine out for Type R/XE red top and track it.
I'll get running ok for the summer as is start the 2nd phase next winter 
..is NOT a girl!
Posted 27 February 2018 - 03:42 PM
To be fair I don't think the Mini went through full structural analysis back in '59 when they were stuffing floor seams full of plasticene to try and stop the water coming in.
Could you make a removable front that's at least as structurally sound as the original? Almost certainly.
Would it be a lot of effort and still cause you grief over insurance, MoT tests and value? Same answer.
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