16 replies to this topic

[AndyMiniMad.]

My mate has just cut the front off my purple mini and is away to fit it to his Rally project..Anyway he has just text me asking whats the best way to secure the thing..He is ok at the front because he is just going to use solid mount teardrops..but he wants to know whats the best way to secure the A panel bits. Now ive seen it done with stainless bolts and hook clamps and all sorts.
But ive never done it myself so thought id ask on here as I know lots of you have done this.

Anyway what seems to be the best way? Bearing in mind that the car will be used on forest stages..

Cheers

Andy.

[AndyMiniMad.]

No one done this? Ive looked via the search function, and had a squint through a few build threads, but cant find a definitive answer...Maybe there isnt one!!

[Sam Walters]

Weld a bracket onto the back of the a-panel. A 90 degree bracket and secure using the door hinge nuts?

or put in some fixings in that area with the same sorta idea?

For extra fixings he could also bolt through between the wing and the remaining inner wing section at the top. that sorta 6-8 inches worth.

[AndyMiniMad.]

Cheers Sam...Is that how the Miglia boys fix there steel fronts on? It needs to still be removable for service stops, which are only 20 mins long..but also still needs to be pretty strong...err.. just in case he ******* it into a tree!!!

[Sam Walters]

The front end has no strenght in a mini anyway. Brace the subframe to the shock mounts. Not the inner wings.

Pair of fixings at the flitch panel. Is the a-panel attached to the front? If not you could weld in some thin wall tube in the a-panel to flitch. Then weld a panel in the same orientation as the a-panel. think sort of extending it out. Then bolt through the wing and this new extended bit thats plug welded to the back of the a-panel. Then fixings on the inner wing at the top and those fixings at the front and it should be fairly sturdy. As sturdy as a mini can be to be honest.

[AndyMiniMad.]

Thank again Sam..Yeah that kinda makes sense, Tne A panels will be attached to the car and the wings and front end will be removable...the bonnet will also be seperate...so I think what we will do is to weld a plate to the back of the A panel thats folded to reach to the flitch panel and then weld another plate to the A panel that sticks out a bit so that the wings can be bolted or clipped on..Have been looking at the spring type clips that sit flush to the panel...

[charie t]

Have been looking at the spring type clips that sit flush to the panel...

You mean like these?
http://www.eurogearu...ns_locking.html

[Sam Walters]

To be honest i would just look at some allen cap head fittings directly through the wings through to a bit welded on the a-panel.

You dont want anything expensive, chances are its going to get battered.

[AndyMiniMad.]

To be honest i would just look at some allen cap head fittings directly through the wings through to a bit welded on the a-panel.

You dont want anything expensive, chances are its going to get battered.

Yes your right..Hes a good driver...but He has taken it off stage with more than one bent bit on the odd occasion..My job is just to get him back out on stage within the allowed 20 min service stop.. So anything that helps gain quick access is a bonus.

Those Catches are the ones im using on my own clubman trakd day project though..They are fantastic...If a little expensive!!

[Sam Walters]

To be honest i would just look at some allen cap head fittings directly through the wings through to a bit welded on the a-panel.

You dont want anything expensive, chances are its going to get battered.

Yes your right..Hes a good driver...but He has taken it off stage with more than one bent bit on the odd occasion..My job is just to get him back out on stage within the allowed 20 min service stop.. So anything that helps gain quick access is a bonus.

Those Catches are the ones im using on my own clubman trakd day project though..They are fantastic...If a little expensive!!

If you dont have a little bit of damage every now and then it just proves you arnt pushing hard enough!

The problem with those is although they are fantastic. If you break them then you cant really put the front back on....with allen cap head bolts you can force the panel back in place as best as you can then put one of the million bolts you get for a fiver back through the holes.

Easy peasey!

[camp freddy]

does it have to be removable, or could you mount it like mine ????





mounts on the front using two pins with r-clips.

[AndyMiniMad.]

Yep..Bolts for the Rally car...Aerocatch for my track day car..I got some of the flush fitting ones in white off E-bay for £30 a pair.. will use them on the fibre glass bonnet..if it ever arrives...

[AndyMiniMad.]

does it have to be removable, or could you mount it like mine ????





mounts on the front using two pins with r-clips.

I have been dipping in and out of your thread..This is one of my fav cars on the forum...I really do like your flip front but It just wouldnt work on the rally car..We really need to be able to wheek the whole front off to allow access to the engine. Webbers, and drive train. You just never know whats worked its way loose on stage..Last time out it was the lower arm swivel joint that came loose. It took one and a quater turns...Scary when you think the car was spanner checked 30mins before going out..

[1984mini25]

To be honest i would just look at some allen cap head fittings directly through the wings through to a bit welded on the a-panel.

Witch is the exact method I used for mine as it seamed the cheapest (you can pick up a bag of 50 or so allen bolts for a few quid) quickest and strongest method at the time.

i've also gone to the trouble of welding extra large load spreading washers to the back of the wings and using thicker steel for the a panel tabs.

[AndyMiniMad.]

Any pictures?