33 replies to this topic

[Gilly112]

As the title suggests, I'm contemplating a flip front because pretty much all of the front of my mini is rotten. Has anyone got any experience with flip fronts? I've heard a lot of people are against them for the way they fit, but I'm not after a show car, and they seem cheaper than a full front made up of various panels, that I will have to pay to have them fitted/welded etc etc..

 

Any help would be appreciated as always!

[Zik]

The only concern I would raise (and people will disagree with this I'm sure) is that a flipfront may detract from the cars rigidity in the event of a frontal collision. Minis are made of tin foil and ducttape in the crash safety department as it is so I wouldn't fit one without structural work personally.

[TehMarchant]

I was thinking about fitting one and making a kind or front roll cage kind of design.  You just need to do a search on TMF for flip fronts you will find loads of examples.

[AVV IT]

I take it that you're talking about a fibre glass version (as you mention not having to pay for panels and welding etc.)

 

Firstly I've rarely seen a decent fitting steel flip front, let alone a fibre glass one, and whilst you may not have a show car, you probably don't actually want it to look like a tatty mess either. As above, there's the safety aspect to consider as well. The classic mini has minimal front end crash protection as it is, so removing the welded front end steel panels and replacing them with fibre glass really isn't all that sensible. What's more, insurance companies don't tend to like flip fronts for exactly that reason, so expect a hike in your annual premium if you fit one too. Then there's the effect it will have on resale value as flip front inevitably devalue cars.

 

If it's a track car and you need constant access to the engine, or if you're fitting an engine conversion that requires the inner wings to be removed, then I can see how a flip front might be necessary, but it's not really something you want to do just because it's a cheap option. Ultimately, if you're going to own a classic mini in the long term, then you have to accept that it's going to need welding and panels replacing at some point. You'd probably therefore be better to think about buying yourself a welder and learning how to weld, (as many of us here have done) instead. After all, you wont be able to replace with fibre glass when you need new sills, floor pans, or a boot floor etc.

[Gilly112]

Okay thank you. I've been fortunate/unfortunate enough to have been in a head on crash in my first car, a mini. The engine took probably 80 percent of the impact, because as you say, the panels crumpled like tinfoil. On that note, I think anything more than a 45/50mph head on crash in a mini, you'd be lucky to walk away from unscathed, whatever front you have.

Either way, I'd like to see how one fits on the front of the car, and I have all intentions of learning to weld, but I'd thought I'd best leave the visible welds to someone who has had lots of practice. Maybe a front 'skeleton' for under the front could be a first project on the welding side of things!

[Minidarren83]

Okay thank you. I've been fortunate/unfortunate enough to have been in a head on crash in my first car, a mini. The engine took probably 80 percent of the impact, because as you say, the panels crumpled like tinfoil. On that note, I think anything more than a 45/50mph head on crash in a mini, you'd be lucky to walk away from unscathed, whatever front you have.

Either way, I'd like to see how one fits on the front of the car, and I have all intentions of learning to weld, but I'd thought I'd best leave the visible welds to someone who has had lots of practice. Maybe a front 'skeleton' for under the front could be a first project on the welding side of things!

Take a look through my project I've used a stew front end and flipped it upwards not forwards as is the norm the fit is close to a standard front end

[Baldspeed Racing]

heres a pic of mine, I dont know the brand of front end but Im running the Ark Angels hinges, I have made some brace bars to strengthen up the subframe mounting but the rest of the car is running a full cage before you get the peeps saying about the crash side of things. Ive crashed a mini at Castle Combe before and to be honest the front end wasnt that strong being full steel so the fb wouldnt be too much different bar shatering instead of bending


Untitled by baldspeed.racing, on Flickr

[ross k]

from my experience the best option if you want one that fits well is to make it out of steel panels but obviously its heavier and more expensive. Also have a think about what sort of latches you want to use as i couldnt find anything i wanted when contemplating mine as i didn't want it to scream flip front so wanted something discreet thanks ross

[Gilly112]

from my experience the best option if you want one that fits well is to make it out of steel panels but obviously its heavier and more expensive. Also have a think about what sort of latches you want to use as i couldnt find anything i wanted when contemplating mine as i didn't want it to scream flip front so wanted something discreet thanks ross

Could you possibly show me a picture of yours? It's more for accessibility, but obviously Iddon't want a shabby fitting, cheap looking fit either. Cheers!

[tiger99]

It is illegal to fit a flip front for road use without putting the car through an IVA test, which it will fail, as it is a modifciation to the monocoque. I also strongly suggest that you check with your insurance company before doing it, and be aware that it will seriously reduce the value of the car.

[Gilly112]

It seems like the idea is going to be too much hassle, and by the sounds of it, any money saved in the build will only be used to pay for increased insurance premiums, IVA tests and a lower selling coat at the end of it. Boo! But thank you chaps

[petey81]

by the way it is not illegal. It is a lot of hassle to get it right though.

[AVV IT]

I was under the impression that it was only illegal (i.e you only needed an IVA test) if you cut away the inner wings, but I could be wrong. Where's Bungle when you need him? 

[tiger99]

The VOSA web site refers to "cutting the monocoque", and despite what someone at VOSA said, which did not have the force of law, any competent structural engineer will be able to confirm that the inner and outer wings are definitely part of the monocoque.

[Minidarren83]

The VOSA web site refers to "cutting the monocoque", and despite what someone at VOSA said, which did not have the force of law, any competent structural engineer will be able to confirm that the inner and outer wings are definitely part of the monocoque.

Don't mean to pick holes but do yes it not refere to "modified monocoque"? Plus this has been dragged out enough do you personally know if any incidents in the history of the mini that one has been pulled off the road for an iva test? The answer you will probably give is no but it still doesn't make it right, or something along those lines. Speeding is also against the law and having that cheeky look at the phone whilst driving but we all do it and with it being against the law does it stop you? I garuntee not. So please unless you have never done anything illegal, you are in no position to judge others or tell them that if they modify their car they need an iva. Are you some kind of law or authoritive figure as it is getting way past just a friendly piece of advice, that man from vosa was the horses mouth weather you choose to take a vosa interpretation of a vosa rule is your choice and we all know what you have to say by now so you don't need to say it anymore