38 replies to this topic

[Ethel]

Interesting on the Mirrors, this one seems to still have the fittings on the doors. I'm sure I've seen a variety in wing mirror styles too, some round, some not.

 

I'd always figured they were just retro styling. Dread to think what Rover might've come up with as an alternative wing mounted version of the late plaggy door mirrors. 

[Bobbins]

Interesting on the Mirrors, this one seems to still have the fittings on the doors. I'm sure I've seen a variety in wing mirror styles too, some round, some not.
 
I'd always figured they were just retro styling. Dread to think what Rover might've come up with as an alternative wing mounted version of the late plaggy door mirrors.

Mine's the same. The threaded mounts are in the doors but there's a rectangular blanking plug painted to match the door.

We really need a TMF JDM section!!!

[Pops_Guild]

There's a JDM Facebook group that was started a short while ago and I help to run; JDM Classic Mini Owners Club

 

https://www.facebook...84560955642074/

 

Many JDM Mini's have the mirrors on the wings. It's not a regulation thing, just pure fashion/preference thing. They prefer their Mini's to look old/older than they are.

Edited by Pops_Guild, 01 April 2019 - 09:55 AM.

[Bobbins]

Sadly I don't do facebook :)

[KTS]

.. a bit late maybe, but when lifting the car, you don't want to be using the floor pan as it's not strong enough to support the bodyweight without deforming

 

lift under the subframes

[Tremelune]

Yeah, I had noticed someone had done it in the past, as they're a bit squished in the location where you want to put a jack.

 

I know why, too—I can't find any other place to jack this up with a scissor or 2-post lift! This video shows some good spots, but I don't think I can reach them, as they're between the wheels and they seem to block the arms...

[hennasxi]

That is 100% a true SPi so it all ties up with being circa 1992.   The late JDM Oct 1996 until March 2000 'MPi' cars are quite different under the bonnet and have an MPi block, coil pack, MPi alternator, air-bag, side impact bars etc but with a side rad (air-con rad is in the other inner wing) and SPi injection !   

[Magneto]

Tremelune, do come join us at Restoration Mini, we'd love to see you convert this car to electric. Lots of very knowledgeable guys there!

 

Also, there is a very active Mini group in LA.....MOALA, search them out.

[gdcarpenter]

For what it's worth.

I have a 1990 RHD Mini Mayfair 1,000 with a John Cooper Garages Conversion. As to where it was made I dont't know, but if this helps:

Rover VIN: SAXXL2S1N20473934 Body # (Stamped on Smash Panel): 820S 8655 42A
Cooper VIN: 99XT(u/o)9(u/o)BGM0117UL (In brackets can't tell if it's a "U" or a "0" stamped as top of those stamps is poorly stamped)
Japanese VIN: 99X 17883 AR (This number is hand stamped in the boot on boot floor roughly rearward of the battery)

Still has the (original?)owners instructions on drivers sun visor all in Japanese
Still has a Malaysian manufactured Pioneer Stereo Head complete with Japanese instruction manual
(Which interestingly enough came with a Japanese CD still inside it!)

I wonder if it could have been an early SPI before the twin carb conversion because it has/had:

Has a Catalytic converter
Has a plugged bung in the exhaust pipe behind the converter, I suspect for an exhaust temperature sensor
Has an "EXH" warning light on a switch panel below the lower dash to right of steering wheel.
Has a 'buzzer' and control box feeding the "EHX" light beneath drivers seat with cut wires that would have run to exhaust temp sensor
Has remnants of a return fuel/vapour line from engine compartment to fuel tank
(Where line enters fuel tank, at the very top of the tank, is a one way check valve that only allows flow into tank, not out of tank)
Has an auxiliary electric fan that looks like it originally operated automatically off a coolant temp sensor, now on a toggle switch
Has two coolant temp sensors
One in bottom of front facing side of the radiator
One in a bung welded into a pipe that is spliced into the lower radiator hose

If it matters it has a 3 clock centered Binnacle that definitely looks original!

It also has wing mirrors, and cover plates where door mirrors could have been mounted, as well a as radio antenna in the left wing.
It has a 65D 'dizzy', (650 DM4)
Wiper Motor stamped 19 90 which I believe to be production date 19th week of 1990
Boot latch/lock stamped 18 90 which I believe to be production date 18th week of 1990

As to being a genuine Cooper Conversion it has:
Twin 1 1/4" SU carbs
Intake manifold to fit carbs hand stamped 'COOPER'
Cooper Freeflow Exhaust manifold
Cylinder head stamped 'COOPER'
"JOHN COOPER" engraved into 2 o'clock spoke of leather wrapped steering wheel

Also a front bonnet 'COOPER' badge that I have not personally seen or found photos of anywhere.

Attached Files

•  image.jpeg   43.81K   3 downloads
•  image.jpeg   32.5K   1 downloads

Edited by gdcarpenter, 29 March 2020 - 08:34 PM.