17 replies to this topic

[masindra]

Hi All, 

 

Long time member, short time contributor. 

 

I've had my 83 City E (affectionately known as Marty or 'Dodgy' because of the number plate) for nearly 5 years and figured it was about time I created a thread for it. 

 

This city was my first car, very fortunate in the sense that my Dad works for Jaguar so I've always had access to ford fleet vehicles (Fiestas' and Focus') since passing my test. As such, the money most people would've had to invest in a 'sensible' Clios, 106's and the like I was able to invest in something a bit more special. 

 

The car itself is now on a genuine 30k miles and is a 4 owner car (including me). The first owner being Mrs M Ellis who owned it from new in 83 up until 2005. 

 

 The work which I have commissioned over the last 5 years has largely been carried out by A Series Spares in Ilkeston and include; exterior respray, engine rebuild (SW5, 1100cc head with 1.3 high-lift rockers, Maniflow Stage One), gearbox rebuild and suspension upgrades (Gmax SuperSport, Hilos and camber brackets front and rear). 

 

Pictures below are how the car stands currently, will try and dig some out of the recommissioning a few years ago for context.  

 

Short term future plans are; 12G295 head, cooper s disc conversion, fit a rev counter + auxiliary gauges and mount a NOS corbeau bucket seat. 

 

Thanks for looking, any feedback appreciated. 

 

Sam

 

 

Attached Files

•  IMG_1823.JPG   71.17K   7 downloads
•  IMG_4575-min.JPG   118.02K   13 downloads

Edited by masindra, 06 August 2018 - 01:38 PM.

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

Nice.  I love the simplicity of Minis with the central speedo, to me that's a proper Mini.  Good choice of mods so far and what you have planned.  How about unleaded valve seats though?  I'd suggest a water temperature gauge too.  Bet it goes round corners well if you've had the suspension geometry set up right.    What tyres are you using?

[psmini]

That's stunning!  I had a virtually identical City on an X plate and fitted 10" minilites and a 1275.  Really miss that car.

[Vinay-RS]

Awesome looking Mini and it's so cool that it's your first Mini too. Those upgrades sound perfect and a bucket seat would be a nice thing to fit too. 

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

Those headlights look good.

[masindra]

Hi all, 

 

Thanks for the comments. Yeah the 12G295 will be converted to run on unleaded. I've attached a picture of the modified binnacle for water temp, oil and tach. Tyres are YOKOHAMA A032R 165/70/10 AQUA TUSK. 

 

Have also attached a picture of the bucket seat I found, NOS from the 70's / 80's. 

 

Cheers

 

Sam

 

 

Attached Files

•  IMG_3808.JPG   18.56K   3 downloads
•  IMG_3955.JPG   32.65K   3 downloads

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

Those gauges will look good in there with that arrangement.

[DeanP]

Looks fantastic an excellent purchase. A lovely colour, my girlfriend (now wife) owned MGK 501Y in the same colour and a city. I work at Jaguar Land Rover too by the way, is your Dad in Whitley?

 

For info though, everything you take out, bag or box and then keep nice. It can always go back in if needed. Bet your bottom dollar if they aren't already, those city seats in that condition, will be difficult to replace if you decided to sell them and regret it later.

[domdee]

looks smashing!

[minimissions]

This mini looks just as they should nice purchase!

[CAU998]

Love the simplicity of how it’s styled, I have a similar vision of how I want my car to look. Almost could have all been done when the car left the factory in the 80’s. Looks superb!

[masindra]

@DeanP, yeah Dad has worked at Whitley for some daft amount of time (30+) years. I start there in September so you might see the City lurking in the car park. Thanks for the info, have been doing that since Day 1, I’ve keep everything from original suspension components to the OE head that came off the car. The houndstooth drivers seat will be going up the loft.

Thanks again for all the kind words. I’ve owned a couple of early projects (one MK1 and one MK2) and really got into the whole notion of ‘period modified’. Tried to recreate something similar with this car using kit from the ~80’s. The louvre has been the best purchase so far.

[andyt]

Loving the look especially like the Avon safety wheels they were given to the workers at Avon rubber in Melksham in the late 70's and 80's, you used to see alsorts of cars driving around town with them from minis to escorts.I have the same shaped Corbeau seats in low back form and had new foam put in the bases,very comfy and retro looking a bit dog eared around the edges! Not bad for 50 quid though.
Keep up the good work.

[GreaseMonkey]

Loving the look of this, the colour combo and simiplicity as others have said! 

[DeanP]

@DeanP, yeah Dad has worked at Whitley for some daft amount of time (30+) years. I start there in September so you might see the City lurking in the car park. Thanks for the info, have been doing that since Day 1, I’ve keep everything from original suspension components to the OE head that came off the car. The houndstooth drivers seat will be going up the loft.

Thanks again for all the kind words. I’ve owned a couple of early projects (one MK1 and one MK2) and really got into the whole notion of ‘period modified’. Tried to recreate something similar with this car using kit from the ~80’s. The louvre has been the best purchase so far.

 

lol, 31 years for me. Land Rover Solihull 1987 straight from school, then Browns Lane, then Gaydon, back to Solihull and now Whitley since 2015. There are a few mini's in the car park, I'll look out for yours next month.