14 replies to this topic

[Steamo]

Got a bit of a dilema - got a mini Italian job in need of a new front end. Much prefer clubmans in general but my last one was a clubman and I'm thinking of doing a mk1 replica loosley based on the Italian Job cars.

Help me decide please!

[minimadjonesy]

if you have an italian job LE then keep it as it was meant to be!

[Brawlyrox]

Dont put a clubman front on an Italian Job LE!

[Steamo]

Thought that would be the general consensus.

I'm not a masive fan of the Italian Job LE though. Don't like the wheels or the grill one bit. Thats where the mk 1 idea came from - Mk1 grill (the IJ is missing anyway) and some wide 10s would eliminate the parts I do not like. I'd also do a black roof (its a red one) and I'd keep the bonnet stripes, decals and interior.


At least it'd be easy to return this to standard. Its not staying exactly how it should be thats for sure.

[minimadjonesy]

With LE's I believe that you should only do mods that can be revereted so that the car can be easily returned to it's original state! how about a roof graphic in vynal that you can remove at a later date?>

[neil_g]

if you dont like the LE why dont you fix it and sell it for a clubby?

[Steamo]

Vynil is an idea, however to get totally black roof I'd end up with seams, not to hard to make it red again - just got two keep some paint from the respray.

I would sell the LE and buy a clubby except last time it took me months to find one that was even good enough to bother with rebuilding, they are all 26+ and so messed around. The IJ is pretty much mint from the A-panels back and mechanically it perfect as well.

to be honest you've showed me the error of my ways I won't be putting a clubby front on it (that and have you seen the price of clubby panels).

Can't leave it how it is though!

Its not like I went out looking for an LE that I don't like, I got a text (because the guy knows I'm into minis) offering it for £100 because it needed to be moved immediately or it would have been towed by the guys landlady to the nearest scrapyard!! I saved it really! surely it better that it survives at all (even if I did clubby it - not that I will)

[Bigbudders]

Mate spray the car whatever colour you like, it can always be put back again (with expense of course)

Just keep all the bits that make it a ltd edition, like the wheels, black bumpers and interior.

There are some ltd editions which i wouldn't want to change, but most specials are just a basic mini with a different colour and some badges. Most of the special editions didn't even come with alloys wheels!

Not sure who came up with the interiors either, some are quite garish.

As for the mk1 grill, do it i say, you won't regret it, they look amazing!

[Steamo]

Hurray an ally against the purists (tongue in cheek smily here)

Thats my philosophy as well, unfortunatly the white grill is missing and the bumpers are chrome - so its not complete anyway. Got the original owners manual and stuff though and the interior on the IJ is really nice (amazing condition as well).

Gonna have to put some pics in the projects forum just to show what a bargain it is for £100.

[Purple Tom]

to be honest I don't think the Italian Job is a very nice LE anyway.

Its basically a Sprite with some spotlights, Minilites and some different paint really.

Hasn't even got an HIF44, its strangled on an HIF38....

Do what you feel is right with it, and for £100 its a bargain!! 10's and a black roof sounds cool, and would certainly improve the looks of it - and I'd be tempted with a stage 1 kit and a HIF44 to make it go a bit better too - a 1275 at least deserves that!

[Steamo]

Right on - more back up, ha! They just didn't quite get it right with the IJ - could have been one of the best if they had stuck a 44 on with better wheels and chrome etc - I'm gonna do it how they should have in the first place!!!

I've got a spare HIF44 any way so that'll be going on, needs a new exhaust so RC40 and LCB it is, stick some hi-los and better shocks on it and I'll have a wicked daily driver I reckon!

Just need to find the most cost effective way of sticking 10s on it

[Jammy]

Just need to find the most cost effective way of sticking 10s on it

DIY Fiesta caliper conversion.

[Steamo]

Just need to find the most cost effective way of sticking 10s on it

DIY Fiesta caliper conversion.

More info please!!!! is there a thread about this anywhere??

[Jammy]

Have a looky

Should tell you everything you need to know!

[Steamo]

Thanks mate thats awesome. Gotta find some time to go scrappy scrounging now.

Cheers again.