21 replies to this topic

[cradley-heathen]

i thought it was about time i shared some of my handywork on here as its been a while since i let anyone see any of it!


after spending a few weeks making the shell solid, i had to cut it in half


suicide passenger door going in


the rear hinge post part fabricated


the new C post almost finished, (thats a piece of 1" box with fabricated curves added)


the extra long rear quarter panel, no rear door this side


one of the added roof gutter pieces


the drivers side B post to match the one on the passenger side

[LiamB]

Oh wow!

That is amazing aha, first Mini Limo I have ever seen and heard of!

[cradley-heathen]

the roof panel gong in


basic prep of some of the panels


bespoke pressed floor pans, and my home made tunnel


then stone chip and 2k the full underside before fitting the frames and engine up

for anyone wondering, all the joins in the shell are staggered considerably to add strength (despite the fact the car was cut in one straight line)

[cradley-heathen]

my hatchback conversion taking shape


and with the hatch up

i also had to spend a few weeks welding this up to get it solid including new inner and outer sills, rear boot repair, rear valance etc, and then took the plunge and welded the bootlid to the back panel, and chopped the whole lot out! whats the worst that could happen? appart from scrapping a perfectly good restored shell lol!

[luke666222]

WOW! some nice work being dine there!

[DAVEY_C]

jesus you got skills mate (not that ye didn't know already)... nice work.

how much stretch over standard mini lenght did you's add to the limo??

[cradley-heathen]

jesus you got skills mate (not that ye didn't know already)... nice work.

how much stretch over standard mini lenght did you's add to the limo??

thanks mate, its just 1m longer now, basically the length of an extra door and a little bit of door frame either side

[DAVEY_C]

well ye may treat this as a build thread now and throw up your progression lol

[cradley-heathen]

well the limo has kind of ground to a halt, as it been at the bodyshop now for about 6 months! apparently they will finish prepping it and paint it over christmas? was hoping to get it to some shows next year.

[maggies_minder]

that hatchback is proper 60's i like that!

[cradley-heathen]

sports pack wheels and arches fitted up


and going on the truck, which was pretty much the last time i saw it! (

i think there is a video of it on youtube somewhere as were rolling it out the garage for the first time lol

[cradley-heathen]

that hatchback is proper 60's i like that!

i looked at loads of pics of radfords on the net and based it on that, i did sadly sell that though before castle combe to pay for alloy 4 pots and alloy hubs etc, i cant say i miss it, (the missis was getting sick of me in the garage all evening too)

[Jordie]

how you gunna get the limo on the road? needs to go through a proper inspection and test, turning circle etc otherwise it will be crushed, as did those 2 ford explorers that vosa stopped recently.

Once the vehicle has been converted you are legally required to notify DVLA of the changes, since the identity of the vehicle may be brought into question. It is possible that the passenger capacity, weight limits, or the taxation class of the vehicle would have changed, so the V5C registration document would no longer be valid.
If a vehicle or its chassis has been cut in half and extended, the vehicle would need to be inspected by DVLA and would be assessed as being in one of two categories; either as radically altered from its original specification or, if a kit of new parts has been used in the build, as a kit conversion. The registration number will change because this is not the same vehicle as that described on the vehicle records and it would be misleading to retain the original registration number when the vehicle has undergone such major modifications. A vehicle undergoing major structural alterations is likely to require approval (IVA) in its modified condition.

Where a vehicle is converted to a limousine post registration, in addition to ensuring that vehicle registration requirements are met – there will still be a requirement to ensure that vehicle standards are met.

Small limousines, that is, those with fewer than 9 passenger seats, will in almost all cases not be type approved to British or European standards and thus will need to prove compliance through the Individual Vehicle Approval Scheme (IVA), formerly known as the Single Vehicle Approval scheme (SVA). The IVA scheme provides a pre-registration inspection for all passenger and goods vehicles that have not been type-approved to British or European standards. The main purpose of this scheme is to ensure that these vehicles have been designed and constructed to modern safety and environmental standards before they can be used on public roads.
Before a vehicle is submitted to VOSA for an IVA inspection, evidence must be provided to demonstrate the modified vehicle’s capability to operate at weights higher than the original vehicle’s maximum gross weight where this will be exceeded when the vehicle is full of passengers. Key components such as the axles, suspension and brakes may have to be upgraded to take the extra weight of the converted vehicle, compared to the original base vehicle.

[cradley-heathen]

dont worry im fully aware of the implications of building a modified car like the limo, and the cost of the IVA test has been accounted for. i must admit it did take some of my friends a little convincing that it needs testing, but if it ever gets painted it will be tested asap. as for the turning circle test, its only 1m longer than factory, so its not even as long as a mondeo. we did push it around the yard (mainly for our own amusement) and its not too tricky to manouvre. im pretty sure if these hummer and lincoln limos get through a turning circle test, this one will too!

having said all that, originally i was just given the job of fabricating the shell, i dont own it. so whatever problems we face later on will be paid for by the owner.

[cradley-heathen]

by the way if anyone wants their mini converted to a hatchback i would gladly do it for you! (im in the process of registering as a trader)