14 replies to this topic

[Monte Busa]

My next project? I know, I know, I haven't even really started my first on yet due to slowness in shipping things acorss the pond (still hasn't left Chris's yet), but some of you may have already seen my ponderings on a not formalized project I currently call "R1 Lightweight"

I haven't shared all the details yet as they're still forming in my head, but just wanted to gauge what the group's opinion would be in basing the (front engined) Yamaha R1 powered beasty on a custom full Mini shell in full Carbon Fibre with an integrated roll over / stiffening stucture, the car using standard Mini fixing points for a custom front tubular steel subframe, and at the rear a beam axle with std style swingarm suspension ...all in the interest of super light weight, with the goal being the lightest road legal "Mini" ever...what do you think?

Thanks for your honest opinions.

Cheers,

Monte

[Ade]

Sounds mental! Although I can't help but think you must be getting paid far to much money!!!!!


Sit's around all jealous!

[Mini Mad James]

Sounds good mate

Plenty of vids and pics of your progress please

Can't wait to see it finished

[Monte Busa]

If I told my wife I was already thinking about another project already she'd kill me - maybe I can convince her it's a good idea to save on petrol costs.

Monte

Sounds good mate

Plenty of vids and pics of your progress please

Can't wait to see it finished

[]GoD[Zander]

sounds like a cool project look to see pics when you start it

[Alburglar]

rally sport replicas have got a carbon minus shell for sale

[Jammy]

:S They went bust ages ago! Heard they were trading again though under a new name??

Asked Ade what he thinks of RSR (I hope they didn't make this minus themselves)!!

[Alburglar]

:S They went bust ages ago! Heard they were trading again though under a new name??

Asked Ade what he thinks of RSR (I hope they didn't make this minus themselves)!!

LOL that's probably why they wanted 10 grand for it.
I know about ades doors too!

[Monte Busa]

I do remember that RSR carbon shell...and Ade's door story, what an aweful place they were, but they had so much promise just a few years ago it seems. Too bad.

:S They went bust ages ago! Heard they were trading again though under a new name??

Asked Ade what he thinks of RSR (I hope they didn't make this minus themselves)!!

LOL that's probably why they wanted 10 grand for it.
I know about ades doors too!

[Woody]

A shell made of anything other than steel is not actuly a mini is it ?, just somthing that looks like a mini , or in the case of a minus ,a bit like a mini .
if you run standard running gear at least it is a reshelled mini
if you run any other engine/box as well as a non gen shell then it is deffinatly not a mini ,... just a bit mini ish

[The Matt]

A consultant we use at work was talking to me a few moths ago about a project he started on years and years ago. He was on about making a CF mini shell, but I am not sure how far he got with it. I know he was talking about problems he had with the basecloth and how the moulds were a bit poo.

I might drop him an email and see what he says about it.

I'll post up any responses he gives!

[F1 Mini]

A shell made of anything other than steel is not actuly a mini is it ?, just somthing that looks like a mini , or in the case of a minus ,a bit like a mini .
if you run standard running gear at least it is a reshelled mini
if you run any other engine/box as well as a non gen shell then it is deffinatly not a mini ,... just a bit mini ish

Ah but in it's heart and Soul it still thinks it's a MINI.... and most people still love the shape and cuteness of
the oringinal design.... Lets just say it's a upgraded moderized recreation of a classic.....

[Monte Busa]

I prefer to think of it as a modern recreation like F1Mini says - with the soul and focus of the original intact but with an up to date and modern (and perhaps over the top) interpretation. I think Issigonis or perhaps more properly Cooper would have liked to be able to take 50percent of the weight out of the Mini shell and get 150hp out of a less than 200lb lump.

Cheers,

Monte

A shell made of anything other than steel is not actuly a mini is it ?, just somthing that looks like a mini , or in the case of a minus ,a bit like a mini .
if you run standard running gear at least it is a reshelled mini
if you run any other engine/box as well as a non gen shell then it is deffinatly not a mini ,... just a bit mini ish

Ah but in it's heart and Soul it still thinks it's a MINI.... and most people still love the shape and cuteness of
the oringinal design.... Lets just say it's a upgraded moderized recreation of a classic.....

[who_loves_the_mini?]

I think its a good idea and would be cool, however I dont think you should have it with the weave showing, apart from maybe roof and bonnet otherwise it may be a little OTT

[gizmo]

I agree.Its what it represents more than what it is.Here in the states minimania has a mini shell that they claim is 62% lighter than a steel mini (fiber glass) & it can be made still lighter, I dont see why not if your not bound by some puriton reasoning...Im doing my shell as light as I possibly can.because I got only an empty shell to start with. & it will not have alot of mini parts in it when im done, does that make it less than something else? Ill enjoy the hell out of it weather any one else does...