16 replies to this topic

[a7peh]

Hi there, I've got a 1071 cooper 's' which was running a 1340 WITHY engine untill i blew a rod through the block at castle combe!!!!! Anyway, i've managed to get hold of a replacement engine off ebay. A 1380cc O.A.P OSBORNE RACE engine???? Has anyone got any ideas or info on the company O.A.P??? And if so is the engine any good. stamped on the block is OAP 3**9. I've searched hi and low on google for any info but doesn't come back with anything solid...

Cheers, i look forward to any kind of response...

pete

Edited by a7peh, 23 July 2009 - 06:47 PM.

[yeti21586]

from what ive found on tinternet OAP or Osborne Automotive Preparation make Mini 7 engines or used to.

[a7peh]

Yep thats all i came up with. but no solid info on the engines. thanks

[m1tch]

Here is a bit more:

http://www.osborne-r....uk/index.shtml

and here is a car with a few of the specs of an OAP engine:

http://www.carandcla....com/car/C50868

[a7peh]

thanks, i'll have a look

[GraemeC]

If it is as Oz built it, it will be a stonker. He is a very serious engine builder and turns out some of the best built, most powerful engines around.

That osborne-racing link is not OAP.

Found a contact number: 01342 844566 However I think he has stopped building engines for now and is working for someone else. I'm sure if you can get hold of him he will know what the engine build was from teh number you have.

Edited by GraemeC, 23 July 2009 - 06:22 PM.

[a7peh]

thats great news. thanks for the contact number. i'll give it a bell tomorrow and let you know how i get on. i've got it booked for the rolling road this wknd and i'll hopefully have a great engine to play around with. will let you know how i go on....

cheers once again

[maccers]

Ian Osbourne done my 1380cc engine in late 1990's. He used to be based at Tattenham Corner , Epsom Downs, Surrey, and I think shared or used one of Epsom Car Cares units. I know Epsom car care have a place on Blenhiem Road indust estate in Epsom now as I took my car for an MOT there, myabe someone there will recall him.

Recently I had some work done on my Pickup and Saloon by Stuart at VMAX Scart, who also builds engines, and I think he knows Ian Osbourne, although not sure of any "history" as you may get between engine builders.

Anyway, if you do find Ian, he is a great chap, and will build a cracking engine for you! My OAP engine was re-stamped OAP xxxx (cant recall the numbers)

Richard.

[Lot]

Ian Osborne used to work at Avonbar, remember talking to him there about engines or suspension in the late 90s. If I remember it rightly, that was just before he left to work for himself at OAP.

[a7peh]

Great news, just been down to my local garage EXEL at Chesterfield. It flew through its MOT. Only been off the road for 2 and a half years!!!! That put a smile on my face. But what put an even bigger smile on my face was the ROLLING ROAD results.... 92bhp@6000rpm Well chuffed. I will post some pics and hopefully if it will let me post a video of the Rolling Road on the Forum. If not i will put it on YOUTUBE. Tried to phone IAN OSBORNE today on the number i was given. but the number was out of use. so if anyone has any details on where i might be able to contact IAN OSBORNE please let me know.

cheers amigo's

[mini7boy]

I don't know the name of the proprietor, but there was a firm named OAP that built a number of very successful Mini 7 racing engines.

Since the website whose link was provided earlier makes no mention of Mini 7 success, I suspect it is not the correct website for
this successful Mini 7 engine builder.

[mini7boy]

these guys should know how to get in touch with OAP. I think that the late Steve Bell used to run OAP engines in Mini 7.

http://epsomcarcare....om/default.aspx

[cookie564]

Hi there, I've got a 1071 cooper 's' which was running a 1340 WITHY engine untill i blew a rod through the block at castle combe!!!!! Anyway, i've managed to get hold of a replacement engine off ebay. A 1380cc O.A.P OSBORNE RACE engine???? Has anyone got any ideas or info on the company O.A.P??? And if so is the engine any good. stamped on the block is OAP 3**9. I've searched hi and low on google for any info but doesn't come back with anything solid...

Cheers, i look forward to any kind of response...

pete

Hi ian osbourne from Osbourne Automotive Preparation ( O.A.P) is a good friend of mine he still has the company but works for a Porsche race team building the engines and running the cars he has a record of every engine he has ever built hence the engine number he was at the to of his game when building these engines and has won many race championships if you wanted to supply the engine number i could get you the exact spec and build date of that engine

regards paul

[Tony1380 Cooper]

Hi there, I've got a 1071 cooper 's' which was running a 1340 WITHY engine untill i blew a rod through the block at castle combe!!!!! Anyway, i've managed to get hold of a replacement engine off ebay. A 1380cc O.A.P OSBORNE RACE engine???? Has anyone got any ideas or info on the company O.A.P??? And if so is the engine any good. stamped on the block is OAP 3**9. I've searched hi and low on google for any info but doesn't come back with anything solid...

Cheers, i look forward to any kind of response...

pete

Hi ian osbourne from Osbourne Automotive Preparation ( O.A.P) is a good friend of mine he still has the company but works for a Porsche race team building the engines and running the cars he has a record of every engine he has ever built hence the engine number he was at the to of his game when building these engines and has won many race championships if you wanted to supply the engine number i could get you the exact spec and build date of that engine

regards paul

Hi Paul, I have an OAP MPI engine that i bought secondhand and i was wondering if you might be able to get the spec of my engine from Ian. Engine number is 13203. I know its a 1380 and has an MED head, but i dont know much else like cam type etc. Bloke i bought it off reckoned it would put out 110BHP.
If you could help i would appreciate it.
Cheers
Tony

Edited by Tony1380 Cooper, 27 November 2009 - 11:38 AM.

[elgarra]

Oz is also a big scooter fan and has built some wonderfull bikes.

A Vespa 50 with a Rotax cart engine. (100mph Vespa!)

A Vespa 125 with a TS1 cylinder.......Very fast also.

and other randon engineering marvels.


His Mini engines are reputed to be amongst the best.