8 replies to this topic

[ChrisDias]

My best friend has loved Minis has loved his whole life. He even attended the Canada launch party of the new Mini. We bought him a Fisher Price remote control Mini and he considers it one of the best presents ever. His plans to purchase a Mini years ago got put on hold when he got married and had kids. Now, he is in a financial position to finally own one, but fate has stepped in again to cause problems.

He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and within a few years has found it near impossible to operate any vehicle with heavy clutches. He believes he'll never own a classic mini because he cannot drive manuals anymore. I know automatic Minis do exist but finding one in Canada is like finding a virgin on prom night. Are the manual clutches hard to push? Are they clumsy? Can they be adjusted?

Obviously, I DON'T know minis.

[CMXCVIII]

My immediate reaction is to say yes, the clutch on a Mini is inherently heavy by modern standards [certainly not an easliy hand pressable job].

The problem would probably be compounded by the fact that a Mini is a small car with an unusual driving position so that you're pressing the clutch pedal down rather than away from you - then again that might conceivably be an advantage for your friend.

I've given no thought to any idea of lightening the clutch action. I'm not sure it would be feasible but certainly automatic Minis have existed since the early '60s and many survive although, again, how many were even exported across the Atlantic?

What I can add though, is that if your friend is flush enough with cash, it would be quite feasible to convert a manual Mini to an automatic gearbox.

[M J W J]

Mini clutches aren't heavy but if you are used to modern cars with power assisted everything they feel heavy. I never noticed it on mine but a friend of remarked that it was really heavy but then she was used to driving a brand new ford ka at the time.

It depends on how bad your friends MS is. All I can suggest is try and find someone who has a mini and will allow him a test drive.

My Vauxhall astra has a clutch that is about the same as a mini. You could probably change the ratio of the clutch arm and slave cylinder so that the clutch becomes lighter but you have to push the pedal further but this would require some custom fabrication

If a manual is out of the question and you can't find an automatic a series then consider doing an engine and transmission conversion. Honda D series automatics have been successfully transplanted into minis (see 16v mini club). There are kits to allow the engine and manual gearbox (not sure about the auto) available form Minitec in the USA.

The Nissan Micra is a small car that has an automatic option available. No commercial kits available for them though and I don't know how available Micras are in Canada (they are all over the place here). People have sucessfully transplanted the manual gearbox and engine though.

Suzuki engines and Vauxhall (Saturn/opel/holden-depends where you are) engines have both be transplanted but I don't know of any with an auto box fitted.

Just to add. Manual engines and Automatic engines are different. Something to do with the oil ways I think (someone correct me if I am wrong but that is what I was told)

[SA MINI]

you can actually buy electronic clutch kits (basically a pump instead of a pedal) the pump switch is wired to the gear selector so when the gear stick moves the clutch engages very quickly. there is another mechanism somewhere that controls clutch bite.

i have seen these kits for sale on ebay from time to time.

my daily driver has this kit standard, something like this would be ideal or get a micra auto engine conversion in it

[SA MINI]

Mini clutches aren't heavy but if you are used to modern cars with power assisted everything they feel heavy. I never noticed it on mine but a friend of remarked that it was really heavy but then she was used to driving a brand new ford ka at the time.

It depends on how bad your friends MS is. All I can suggest is try and find someone who has a mini and will allow him a test drive.

My Vauxhall astra has a clutch that is about the same as a mini. You could probably change the ratio of the clutch arm and slave cylinder so that the clutch becomes lighter but you have to push the pedal further but this would require some custom fabrication

If a manual is out of the question and you can't find an automatic a series then consider doing an engine and transmission conversion. Honda D series automatics have been successfully transplanted into minis (see 16v mini club). There are kits to allow the engine and manual gearbox (not sure about the auto) available form Minitec in the USA.

The Nissan Micra is a small car that has an automatic option available. No commercial kits available for them though and I don't know how available Micras are in Canada (they are all over the place here). People have sucessfully transplanted the manual gearbox and engine though.

Suzuki engines and Vauxhall (Saturn/opel/holden-depends where you are) engines have both be transplanted but I don't know of any with an auto box fitted.

Just to add. Manual engines and Automatic engines are different. Something to do with the oil ways I think (someone correct me if I am wrong but that is what I was told)

you are correct the oil is used hydraulically & has pathways to flow round each gear & clutchplate

[minimarco]

Is he on the east or west coast? I see autos coming from Japan regularly.

In fact, there are two listed on Vancouver's Craigslist right now.

http://vancouver.en....3029598767.html
http://nanaimo.en.cr...3117616017.html

Both $8000, that's the average asking price for a Japanese virgin. I mean mini.

Edited by minimarco, 11 July 2012 - 06:18 AM.

[mini-luke]

Later (Verto) Mini's have noticeably lighter clutches than the earlier variety. If they can operate a modern car I think they'll be OK.

However, it's the steering at low speed that worries me as it's a lot different to a modern PAS car.

[mayhem13]

If you going to drive it like a big kid for big smiles.
I would be thinking the brake may take it out of you not just the clutch !

[Ethel]

A late Jap import does sound like the best bet.

There are loads of modifying options too - Metros used the same Verto clutch with a smaller bore master cylinder and you could also use a remote servo, but it might need some tweaking to feel the biting point.

People have also added power steering by pinching the electric assisted columns off other cars, there's also longer steering arms available, not to forget the old bus sized wheels.