I've been in love with classic Minis since 1964 but couldn't find one then. I've been looking and searching for just the RIGHT ONE all these years.
Finally, last Fall, my search came to an end . . . I found "Paddy".
Paddy - 1973 Austin Mini Cooper S Resto-Mod (1973 Mini 1000). Built from scratch using a combination of new and restored original Cooper S parts by Dyrk Bolger a Canadian Mini racer and shop. Paddy was previously registered and licensed in California as a 1973 Austin Mini. He was assembled using a 1998 Rover Cooper body shell, new doors, bonnet and an original mint boot lid from a '66 Austin Cooper S. The leath...er interior, with adjustable leather seats, came from a 1999 Rover Cooper. Exterior is factory original with the doors, bonnet and boot lid painted to match. While in California 1380 A-Plus stroker block with large valve cylinder head was fitted and driven less than 1500 miles. The motor is equipped with twin 1 1/2" SU carburettors, a Maniflow LCB exhaust manifold, and a double box RC40 exhaust. The gearbox is modified with close ratio gearing and a sports "windage" tray, central oil pickup. high-torque starter, and a new flywheel. Oil cooler, steel bladed fan, dual core radiator, a Cooper S clutch plate and the cast steel water pump. Suspension is adjustable for ride height and for castor and camber using "on-car" adjusters. Cooper S brakes,4-pot alloy calipers. Original instrumentation, Austin Cooper S gauges, 120mph Speedo, and a Smith's Tachometer.
I've been learning TONS by reading all of your posts and replies. As you might imagine, living in the midwest section of the US, there are NOT a lot of classic Mini owners to bounce questions and ideas off.
I've created http://www.OurMini.com and a facebook page http://www.facebook.com/MiniMotoring to help me keep track of things I'm learning along the way. I've only had Paddy for a few months and 2013 will be my first year to take him out for classic Mini events in IL and down to some events in Tennessee and Georgia. Of course I'll be posting about those events on my social media sites.
Here are a few pictures:
