72 replies to this topic

[rogue]

Hello all. I recently picked up my first mini and will be doing some work on it to get it to the level I'd like, and I plan on daily driving it. It has a 7/10 paint job and the previous owner blacked out far too much brightwork for my own liking. It is a LHD 1970 mini with a 1275cc, a MPI 3 gauge dash, Custom Interior, Dual Fuel tanks, Air horns, and some micro PIAA lights.

I have built a few cars in my day, and I know myself. I'll have this car upgraded to my liking in no time. So I'll track the build here and would love any and all input from all of you. Its greatly appreciated.

I am located in Los Angeles CA so I will be doing all my ordering of parts from online parts suppliers. So far I have found a bunch of great suppliers across the pond, but none in the US that have a great selection so I could use a recomendation if someone has one. Otherwise I'm going to have to buy from the UK and ship over here from minispares, mini sport etc...

The following needs to be done:

Top Engine Stablizer Bracket Repair
Top Engine Stablizer Bushings
Remove fake braided lines in engine compartment
Interior Heater Ducting
Ebrake shoe repair
Door Hardware, armrest has a built in lock in the stainless
Rewire Horn to steering wheel button (its wired to the column, you have to push the blinker!)
Hand Brake needs new pads, and a new lever
Dished Steering wheel to bring it closer to me (I'm 6'5")
Front Grill
Headlight Bezels
Side Mirrors and rear view Mirror
Hood Emblem
3 Gauge MSI Dash with stereo
Antenna in Window? or replace the Rubber one on the roof
Rear Austin Mini Badging
Swap Seats, the current drivers seat is worn in, and the support is lacking, and the reclining function is broken
Interior Lamp Lens
License Plate Light
Vintage California Black/Yellow YOM plates


Pictures of the car as I purchased it.







Already I've been enjoying the heck out of the car. This was an amusing moment. The mini garnered MUCH more attention.


My first order of business is to order a ton of parts, and fix the upper engine steady. The bracket on the bulkhead is cracked.


I'd like to add an engine steady as well, but apparently they are RHD only?



If anyone has any parts suggestions, hints or links they'd like to share with me, I'd love it. And I look forward to learning a lot from everyone and building a fun fast car. I had originally thought I would swap out the engine for a k20 with a supercharger, but I figure I will have fun with the 1275cc for now, and get the rest of the car sorted in the meantime first.

Edited by rogue, 11 January 2010 - 06:49 AM.

[rogue]

Just for comparison sake, here is my old daily driver compared with my new, so this is QUITE a change for me. I'm loving it so far. Such a fun and amazing handling car.

Edited by rogue, 11 January 2010 - 05:34 AM.

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

very nice car id change the tail lights tho for some all red ones tooo much black needs a bit of contrast

[rogue]

very nice car id change the tail lights tho for some all red ones tooo much black needs a bit of contrast

They're already in my parts basket at minisport!

Is there a better parts supplier?

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

for the us nah im local to them very good company if ur making a bulk order id make a note of all the parts no's and ring them up tomorow
ask for Tom he's really helpful worked there for many years and a good friends of mine

[Chris C]

Ah, I believe you are the closest member to me on TMF, interesting. Seems as though you like your daily drivers "murdered out."

As far as ordering parts, just order from Minispares. Awesome service and it never took more than a week or two for my packages to arrive.

I like the car, and I'll be looking out for it when I'm down in Hollywood.

[rogue]

very nice car id change the tail lights tho for some all red ones tooo much black needs a bit of contrast

Thanks and agreed. I feel the same way about all the stainless trim. I will be removing some of the paint and seeing how the stainless quality is.

[rogue]

for the us nah im local to them very good company if ur making a bulk order id make a note of all the parts no's and ring them up tomorow
ask for Tom he's really helpful worked there for many years and a good friends of mine

Its very interesting. The EXACT same parts from the largest US mini parts supplier is nearly a $100 USD more than mini sport... Looks like I'll be ordering from the UK.

Just Ordered:

Haynes Service & Repair Manual '69 to '01
£14.86
Rubber Engine Mounting - with captive nuts, 1959-01
£3.25
Mini Sport Top Engine Steady - 1275cc
£19.74
Brake Shoe set Standard - Rear
£6.89
Rear View Mirror - Stainless
£22.11
Competition Top Engine Steady Nylon Bush kit
£8.33
Heater Ducting Pipe to Screen - 20'' x 1.75'' - Mk4
£16.19
10 Piece Chrome Alloy Handle Set
£26.35
Poly Bush Full Car Kit - 59-76
£21.94
Heater ducting pipe - 16'' x 3.5''
£5.97
Mk1 Rear Indicator Lens, Left Side
£5.04
Mk1 Rear Indicator Lens, Right Side
£5.41
Mk1 Rear Stop/Tail Lens, Left Side
£3.8
Mk1 Rear Stop/Tail Lens, Right Side

I'll start attacking the cosmetic elements later. For now my main goal is to get the car reliable and comfortable. Its shocking to me how incredibly well this car handles in its current form. It won't need much.

I'm excited.

Are naturally aspirated stage kits or big bore engines a better solution for reliability and power over Turbo or Supercharger setups?

On my camaro I went with displacement and prefer it. But I'm not opposed to doing a turbo setup on this 1275cc. I'm starting to become quite fond of the motor over the idea of swapping in a VTEC.

[rogue]

Ah, I believe you are the closest member to me on TMF, interesting. Seems as though you like your daily drivers "murdered out."

As far as ordering parts, just order from Minispares. Awesome service and it never took more than a week or two for my packages to arrive.

I like the car, and I'll be looking out for it when I'm down in Hollywood.

Well then hello neighbor!

I actually just ended up with both of them that way used. I never modded the Nissan, it was purchased that way, but yeah I guess I like them black. On the mini, I feel its TOO black so I'll eventually be bringing back some of the stainless or perhaps powder coating it a copper color that'll be done along with the wheels.

Minispares is bookmarked as well. Thanks for the tip. Yup keep an eye out, I'll either be in the mini, or my other two classics so I'm easy to spot..

Edited by rogue, 11 January 2010 - 07:34 AM.

[GraemeC]

That certainly is a different theme on styling!! I agree you need to remove some black - it looks a reasonable paint job but also looks like they did a little bit of masking where needed and then just sprayed the whole thing in one hit. I do like the door furnitue though.

A little odd that it has been on an English registration but yet is LHD.

[Trail of Dead]

Hi, it's nice meeting another "yank" on here. My wife and I are stationed here in England for a few more years then I *think* we are off to Florida next. Anyhow I really dig your Mini, I am REALLY liking the door handles!!!! If you can find out who made those I would be VERY gracious! I just got a 1275 MPi motor out of a '98 Cooper S for my 1982 Mayfair. I am looking to install that this Spring along with rebuilding a Vauxhall Redtop engine I have and powdercoating the subframe for it.

I too was planning on doing a big engine swap with my Mini but I like the idea of having a 1275 Mini, then later on (once we PCS back to the CONUS) I'll order an FRA Fiberglass shell and build that up with the C20XE engine.....should be good for around 175-180 horse N/A. I LOVE your Camaro, VERY nice looking machines those 60's Z/28s.

For my Mini I am planning on getting a custom exhaust setup built with stainless tubing with a small flowmaster tossed in the mix. I want the exhaust made so the muffler is neatly tucked up under the boot floor with a turn down tip. I really don't like how the exhaust on a Mini sticks out from under the rear valance....it takes away from the curves IMO. Anyhow, another Parts supplier you could check out is DSN Classics. They are close to me here in Suffolk and produce some VERY sweet billet Mini parts (called "Retro Sport") including engine steadies! Good Luck! I will be keeping an eye on this thread man!

[mk3 Cooper S]

Which remaining bits of the car are 1970?

[BadgerBaiter]

Thats a nice looking car you have there
Look forward to seeing its progress

[william_clubman]

hello that mini is cool like i like that because it black mini

[oli]

I'm struggling to find any 1970 mini in your car its got to be post 76 from the guttering alone. It doesnt matter though because its awesome!