40 replies to this topic

[mini-fvr]

So I’m back at it again, most remember my last build “project yellow fever” which was a bucket list dream no expense spared build that I just sold on a few months ago.

I’m was on the hunt for a S but with the prices getting a little out of my reach plus trying to find one I decided on the next best thing (and some might say better thing;) ;),) a 1300 export!

I’m the 3rd owner of this ‘74, That was purchase and converted to RHD back in. ‘79 when a gentleman in the UK imported it for his use. The second owner had it since 84 and was somehow descovered and featured in 2 classic mini well known books. Pretty weird seeing the car in my garage that’s the same car that People been seeing on the pages in these books. This owner than had the entire car stripped down and restore in the late 90’s eary 2000’s to a high standard for that time. Might not be perfect or 100% original but let’s face it, what mini is.

Need to give a big thank you to John McGee with helping with the importing and paperwork part of this deal! He’s the man!!

Im trying not to go too much with this car, but I just spent a bunch of money on some Italian wheels that I think are really special and really hard to find, of course had them refinished in my own style/color. Want to make this car an all Italian / period correct cafe racer it would’ve been to a guy back in the early 70’s.

I kept the old wheels since that what was on the car in the books it was published in and Has a lot of documentation to go a long with the history and want to keep them to swap back on if wanted to.

Plans....
I’m just changing the wheels, steering wheel, and fixing the stance along with some other odds and ends. Other than that, the fun of sourcing a couple nos Italian parts to make it as close to “right” as possible is amazing. I’m meeting and talking to people all through Europe and love how awesome this mini community really is.
Hope I do her justice.

Ok. Enough talk.... here’s some pics and where I’m at now.

For sale ad pics.
















Doc and books














At the port in UK



Picking up on the other side of the pond




New wheels. CFR 10x4.5













So as you can see, I had to order a bunch of suspension goodies so I can dail in and set up the car better so I can run these wheels.

More pic by by the end of the week I hope.

Edited by mini-fvr, 05 June 2018 - 08:40 AM.

[InnoCooperExport]

Looking good Brian, I've said it before but I would definitely convert it back to LHD as it was originally.

I also just realised that bringing it back stateside means you can fit the proper Carello headlights as well. Usually when people make them rhd they fit normal lucas lights as rhd carellos are a bit harder to find. I can dig out the numbers for you if you like, they shouldn't be too expensive...

[mini-fvr]

Looking good Brian, I've said it before but I would definitely convert it back to LHD as it was originally.

I also just realised that bringing it back stateside means you can fit the proper Carello headlights as well. Usually when people make them rhd they fit normal lucas lights as rhd carellos are a bit harder to find. I can dig out the numbers for you if you like, they shouldn't be too expensive...

That would be nice thank you!

[rich_959]

Those wheels!! So nice. What are they? Any idea what the offset is? Do you have a photo looking down the side of the car?

 

Also, is the car Clipper Blue? Great little mini. Enjoy!

[InnoCooperExport]

Nope it's Bluette, an innocenti colour. Fabulous colour, rarely seen anymore.

I hope to be down in my workshop this afternoon so I will write down the numbers for you then.

Edited by InnoCooperExport, 05 June 2018 - 10:31 AM.

[Redjohnno]

Wow! What a lovely Inno, spotted one the same colour the other day. It's was for sale in Italy. Will be keeping my eyes on this!

Edited by Redjohnno, 05 June 2018 - 11:04 AM.

[rich_959]

Really lovely colour, sort of a mix of Clipper and Island Blue. Never seen it in the flesh before.

 

What are the brand of the wheels? It looks very low in those last couple of shots!

[mini-fvr]

Those wheels!! So nice. What are they? Any idea what the offset is? Do you have a photo looking down the side of the car?

Also, is the car Clipper Blue? Great little mini. Enjoy!

I have pics of the wheels, but haven’t measured the offset. I can later today.
I plan on running non spacered drums on the rear this way they will sit almost flush with the rear 1/4 panel. The fronts have about an 1” poke. I’m hoping that a little camber will tuck them in enough. Here’s the first Fitment test pics.

[mini-fvr]

Really lovely colour, sort of a mix of Clipper and Island Blue. Never seen it in the flesh before.

What are the brand of the wheels? It looks very low in those last couple of shots!

Thank you! I’ve loved that color ever since I saw that movie “rush”.

They are an Italian wheel. CFR 10x4.5. Another “must find and reach for item I’ve loved too. Lol. I think they’re pretty hard to come by, haven’t sean them on many car. I tried searching for images to get Fitment ideas but couldn’t find one pic.

She’s sitting low since I havn’t dialed in the new hi-los that I just put in right before that pic was taken. :).
Just waiting in the postman fir some goodies to hopefully get her sitting/looking perfect. IMO anyway. ;)

Edited by mini-fvr, 05 June 2018 - 01:48 PM.

[rich_959]

Just spotted the wheels on the 'wheel directory' (https://www.wheeldic...ry.net/10a.html) but can't say I've ever seen them before. Very nice indeed.

 

You've got me thinking about Bluette now. I was torn between Clipper Blue and Smoke Grey. Last thing I need is more colours in the mix!! The Rush mini looks darker to me. I heard it was based on an 80's Mini City? I'm sure it'll be on the forum here somewhere.

[mini-fvr]

Just spotted the wheels on the 'wheel directory' (https://www.wheeldic...ry.net/10a.html) but can't say I've ever seen them before. Very nice indeed.

You've got me thinking about Bluette now. I was torn between Clipper Blue and Smoke Grey. Last thing I need is more colours in the mix!! The Rush mini looks darker to me. I heard it was based on an 80's Mini City? I'm sure it'll be on the forum here somewhere.

The bluette color is a mix of the blue and grey. Absolute love the color. The rush mini might be a bit more blue but think it’s close. And you are correct it was a replica s based on an 80’s mini. Still looked good in the movie for the 60 sec of air time it got. Lol.

And yes, I saw the wheels In the wheel directory but can’t find them anywhere else as well. There’s got to someone out here running a set somewhere!!

Edited by mini-fvr, 05 June 2018 - 11:33 PM.

[mini-fvr]

New steering wheel pic, needed a wood inno one, sooo much nicer.
I have the original black one but need a little help. ;).




Getting some work done yesterday and today. Hopefully she’ll be ready for the weekend! Waiting on 2 more pieces of the puzzle.




Rear wheel Fitment after slapping on some parts.

[rich_959]

Looking good! Rears fit nice now. Did you just go from spacer drums to non-spacer?

[mini-fvr]

Looking good! Rears fit nice now. Did you just go from spacer drums to non-spacer?

Yes, that’s what I did but might need to run a small spacer so it can match with the front.

The front came out pretty good but not exactly how I wanted it to, had to put in some camber. Not as much as I’ve sean some Japanese mini guys run but enough to still have a nice ride.

Just need to install the rear camber toe kit to see how it’ll all come together. Ran out of time this week so hopefully next Tuesday/wed I’ll be able to get to the alignment shop to dail everything in.

[mini-fvr]