15 replies to this topic

[cradley-heathen]

i will try to cover as much of this as i can, its a y reg ember glow mini (HL i think) in pretty much standard trim but requiring a proper job doing of the bodywork,

i only have 2 pics on my phone but i will bring the camera back from work next week and show you the rest of the work.

my mate stripped the car back to a bare shell, and fitted it up on the tilter. then it had inner and outer sills, some sections of the front floor, repairs to rear of the boot floor, wheel arches, new a panels, rear valance, wings and front panel (now removable assembled as a removable front end) repairs to rear quarter panels, both sides of the heel board and all the little bits around them going into the rear bins etc.

i did the welding on the shell myself and have cut every last tiny bit of rust and rot out so this will be a really solid, long lasting shell.


then with the bottom of the shell stone chipped, and painted body colour, it came off the tilter and onto a trolly for the front frame to be made up. (at this point we brought a really tidy fully mot'd and taxed rover 200vi for its engine, was such a shame as it was a lovely car really)

the front frame is now fully knocked up and painted and ready for final fit up, shafts are made, and its ready to get its wheels on, when we decide what to use?

Edited by cradley-heathen, 11 November 2010 - 10:42 PM.

[Ethel]

Sounds good, HL was the luxury trim version of all Austin Rovers before the marketing types got involved, then it became the Mayfair.

[cradley-heathen]

few more pics, inside is painted up, and is now having the original interior fitted up.
subframes are in, and today managed to get the wheels on, not sure if they will be the final choice but its now on 6x13 minators
the engine is painted up and fitted,

and thats it for the minute,

[Tomf]

Looks amazing, are you using the pg1 gearbox aswell?

You really should make up a few more of those frames, i think they would sell well.

[cradley-heathen]

the what gearbox? its the one that was on the engine when we took it out the 200vi if that helps?

we can make up the frames if required, but waiting to test this one first! will let you know how it goes

[Tomf]

In that case yes it will be a PG1 gearbox, impressive work. Does it fit under a standard length front end?

How much would you be looking for, for a frame?

[Deathrow]

Moved to the correct forum

[cradley-heathen]

In that case yes it will be a PG1 gearbox, impressive work. Does it fit under a standard length front end?

How much would you be looking for, for a frame?

yes it does fit under a standard front end, we did have to relieve part of the rocker cover so it would clear the o/s wing, but its only the overhanging corner that doesnt do anything other than make the cover look square.

as for a price for a frame i cant say just yet. we will have a look and see what costs are involved. the guys from minimagazine are here as we speak and one of them has expressed an interest in one!

[JonBetts]

Saw this today in person and I was very impressed by the standard of the work and the conversion itself. Steve Hatton is gonna be a name we hear a lot of next year I reckon as his work is top class. The design of the subframe and modifications made to fit this under a roundnose looked spot on, and quite different to other conversions. The rest of the cars in his unit are equally as impressive and I cant wait to see his Van project as it developes.

[Tomf]

Only a few things im thinking about is where will you be putting the alternator and it might just be the pics, but it doesnt looks like you have enough room for a remote oil filter.

Also what radiator are you planning on using?

It looks spot on, would love to see some more pics of the conversion if you have any.

Edited by Tomf, 12 November 2010 - 11:00 PM.

[JonBetts]

Only a few things im thinking about is where will you be putting the alternator and it might just be the pics, but it doesnt looks like you have enough room for a remote oil filter.

Also what radiator are you planning on using?

It looks spot on, would love to see some more pics of the conversion if you have any.

Alternator is going on the opposite side and is all fitted. Steve has also made a small plate up with take offs for the remote oil filter housing. cant remember what they said the rad core was off but again Steve has modified it with ally tanks at either end and I believe it will be sat above the gearbox. I took a few bigger snaps that I will put up tomoro.

[Tomf]

Cheers would appriciate some pics, so will the alternator be sitting in the wheel arch at the top?

[cradley-heathen]

jonbetts is indeed right, the alternator is on the gearbox end and is driven by an extra pulley we added to the inlet cam drive, (as vvc engines have a cam belt on both sides of the head and 4 pulleys) if you look in the last but one pic you can see the additional pulley on the end of the cams, and you can also see the mounting bracket for it running horizontally across the front of the gearbox.

the radiator as jonbetts also pointed out is an mpi core which steve made new tanks for and it fits at an angle also over the gearbox.

as for the oil filter, it is mounted to the front of the block a few inches higher than normal, we made a very slim line take off from the outlet in the front of the block and the two are conected by some braided hose.

finally having met jonbetts yesterday can i say what an idiot, only joking! truely nice guy with a good understanding of whats going on and a genuine interest in all things minis. matt woods was on hand taking the pics and he too was a top guy, very mild mannored and really clued up.

Edited by cradley-heathen, 13 November 2010 - 09:37 AM.

[JonBetts]

finally having met jonbetts yesterday can i say what an idiot, only joking!

PMSL some people just dont get me but you obvioulsy did haha Wish you and Steve well with the new company now go and get that open day organised!

[cradley-heathen]

quick update, the last few days have seen the wiring tested, which on the whole went well. after a little messing about we got the engine to fire up and conect the gauges up etc. we are experiencing preoblems with the imobiliser at the minute, but believe we have a solution.

wiring on hold, we got on with prepping the body, repairing the doors and so on, hoping for paint tomorrow, if we can get our heating on!

also made a few decisions on the styling, if thats what you can call it! it now sits on 12" rsp alloys with yoko a539 tyres, and steve made a few repairs to the original clubman/1100 special type bumpers so they can be repainted black and go back on when its all done too. i did also suggest it could have a traffic light style air freshener and a "i love wham" sticker for some authentic 80s mods, but steve wasnt keen!