5 replies to this topic

[mudds]

Hey.

 

Just starting to get stuff together for the big winter project , a newly aquired 1983 Mini City E Automatic. I think it was used as a donor car for others in the same ownership because it is missing loads of stuff ( just cut the wires to remove). All that is left of the steering column is the internal rod with the threaded end to take the steering wheel.

 

Looking around I kinda like the look of the Morris Minor steering wheel,It appears to be dished more, I was wondering if it would actually fit and if anyone else had put one on.

 

We are intending on putting on a cream leather interior and either painting or powder coating the steering wheel to match.

 

mudds

[tiger99]

Many of the BMC/BL/Rover cars used the same size of spline on their steering columns, so I suspect that the MM wheel may well fit, indeed it would be very surprising if it did not, because the Mini was largely designed from the BMC parts bin to minimise development costs. Engine, gearbox innards.... Fortunately they let Issigonis have his own way with the suspension, or the Mini would have flopped and the vast range of FWD cars that we have now may never have happened. Later cars, up to even the Rover 200 are reputed to also fit. Certain other parts in that area such as the indicator stalk of the early Minis were identical or very similar to the MM, maybe just different length. But will the deep dish not bring it too near the driver? Depends on you and where you set the seat of course, you may prefer it that way.

[mudds]

Hey.

Thats very interesting . I will research all the models up to the rover 200 to see if there are any " quirky" steering wheels. We really want to shot blast and get the wheel powder coated or sprayed cream. I also fancied putting a chrome horn ring on the wheel ( same as the classic American cars).

 

The deep dish, yes, I thought that it may allow more room to get my knees around it, being an auto we are thinking of leg placement on long runs and  a hand on the wheel from the "rested" arm position on the door. Just completed a road trip in a Mini my son bought, the wheel was on my lap and there was no room for my legs, especially getting in and out.

[mudds]

Hey.
 
Scrub that. I've just received my metal 3 pronged Mini Clubman steering wheel (Ebay, god bless 'em) , and it is absolutely perfect. Now to get it shot and coated cream. 
The Clubman centre cover is not a horn push but solid. I take it then that the mini city E had the horn push on the left hand stalk. I think I may convert it to centre push.
 
Mudds

But thank you for your help.

Edited by mudds, 27 September 2013 - 02:02 PM.

[S2000Steve]

John Cooper signed Motalita is the way to go. Looks brilliant.

[mudds]

Oh yes. There is a pic of one in a woody estate Mini on this forum. Looks great but I really like this steering wheel, its all old and worn, after I get it blasted and powder coated I think it will look cool. I think I will get the steering column in the same colour, along with all the other internal bits.

 

I was wondering about the Mini city auto gearbox, I think it was designed with a quick high ratio road speed final gearing. does anyone know if I can change the final gearing to a standard one so that I can cruise  ( 55 mph maybe)  at a decent decibel level , and RPM of course. 

 

What about an overdrive , ?