23 replies to this topic

[Old Bob]

I remember the very early works rally minis - the pre heated screen ones - having a perspex strip behind the windscreen (to maximise the 'warm' air coming off the windscreen vents for de-misting). Does anyone have a photograph showing this please?

Many thanks,

Bob

[Cooperman]

There were also little electric heater elements which could be fixed to the screen to add a bit of local heat. They were about 12" long and fitted to the screen with rubber suckers.
The perspex strips were about 2" high and fitted with small aluminium clips. I don't have a photo I'm afraid, but I'll try to find one.

[Old Bob]

There were also little electric heater elements which could be fixed to the screen to add a bit of local heat. They were about 12" long and fitted to the screen with rubber suckers.
The perspex strips were about 2" high and fitted with small aluminium clips. I don't have a photo I'm afraid, but I'll try to find one.

Thanks Peter. Do you also remember what year they would have been in use? I am guessing it would be pre 1964, but it may have been earlier than that.

Bob

[ace01]

I have one of these demister shields (for want of a better phrase) fitted. I also have the 12" screen bar heater mentioned by Peter fitted. The shield is approximately 5 inches high and is secured by three L shaped brackets. There are no firm dimesions for the shield or for the number and type of brackets. They were simply made up by the mechanic responsible for the prep of the car. I looked at quite a few pictures and asked a number of the mechanics before I fitted mine. The bar heater is a Lucas item and come up on Ebay from time to time.

This arrangement was fitted from the early days of the works 850s through to the end of the 997 Cooper era. They were primarily used on the Monte Rallies. Latterly they changed to heated screens.

[Old Bob]

I have one of these demister shields (for want of a better phrase) fitted. I also have the 12" screen bar heater mentioned by Peter fitted. The shield is approximately 5 inches high and is secured by three L shaped brackets. There are no firm dimesions for the shield or for the number and type of brackets. They were simply made up by the mechanic responsible for the prep of the car. I looked at quite a few pictures and asked a number of the mechanics before I fitted mine. The bar heater is a Lucas item and come up on Ebay from time to time.

This arrangement was fitted from the early days of the works 850s through to the end of the 997 Cooper era. They were primarily used on the Monte Rallies. Latterly they changed to heated screens.

Thanks Ace (Sorry, I don't know your first name),

That's very helpful. Mine is a basic '62 shell so I think it would be near enough 'period correct'.

Kind regards,

Bob

[CMXCVIII]

Those 'demister shields' pre-dated the Mini and can be seen on various photos of 1950's rally cars. I'd guess that they, like so many things, were originated for World War II aircraft!

[minimarco]

These things?

http://www.somerford...oducts_id=13129

There were also those retrofitted double glazing on the rear windscreens.

Edit: I guess you are not looking for the heated element screen. I've never seen the demister shields you guy's are talking about. Would be interested to see.

Edited by minimarco, 10 September 2012 - 06:17 PM.

[Naughty 40]

I do have a new old stock one with rubber suckers ,but not sure if they would be suitable as the heater bar is straight where as the mini screen is shaped,its called a clearview

[Cooperman]

They were fitted to the 850, 997 and early 'S' rally cars before the heated screen was available. Only cars being used in Winter rallies seemed to have them, from memory and they also had the short heater elements on the screen.
I think that cars like the A40 and Sprite rally cars also had them.
Hooray for heated screens!

[Miniholic]

Mini Sport are selling a lot of reproduction works parts.

Windscreen vent deflector panel - They do clear or tinted
http://www.minisport...o_WRRP004D.html

Rear screen demist panel - two sizes
http://www.minisport...o_WRRP002L.html

And lots of other parts for you to spend a small fortune on.

[Alex_B]

Mini Sport are selling a lot of reproduction works parts.

Windscreen vent deflector panel - They do clear or tinted
http://www.minisport...o_WRRP004D.html

Rear screen demist panel - two sizes
http://www.minisport...o_WRRP002L.html

And lots of other parts for you to spend a small fortune on.

you're not joking! A navigator foot operated horn switch - £73 ??? SAY WAAAAAT?!?!?

[minimarco]

Windscreen vent deflector panel - They do clear or tinted
http://www.minisport...o_WRRP004D.html

Sweet beans! That looks awesome (and useful). Would like to see what they look like fitted. looks like they just attach to the screws already used for the demist vents?

Edited by minimarco, 10 September 2012 - 08:25 PM.

[CMXCVIII]

The other, electrical heater units looked like this -

http://www.prewarcar...eat-016935.html

[yes, I do know the answer to the quiz question and I presume Cooperman does too]

or the 1951 Monte Carlo rally car on this page -

http://www.wolseleyw...-680-racers.php

[Cooperman]

The crew in the quiz question are David Seigle-Morris driving with Vic Elford navigating and I'm sure the year is 1960. Vic later drove the 'works' Cortinas with considerable success and later beat all the Minis by winning the 1968 Monte Carlo Rally in a Porsche 911 'S'.
He also used to the local Postmaster in Clophill a few miles from where I lived and is a great bloke. The only man I can think of to go from a Mini rally navigator to a F1 driver.
He is a great driver and a very nice chap too.

Edited by Cooperman, 10 September 2012 - 08:57 PM.

[ace01]

Bob

Here's a pic of my Cooper with a demister screen fitted. The screen heater can't be seen as the wipers are in the way and the angle of the shot is too low. When I made mine some years ago, it must have cost all of £10.

Tony.

Edited by ace01, 11 September 2012 - 02:35 PM.