11 replies to this topic

[Teammatt]

Hello everyone,

Just bought my first mini, woo hoo!!

Its a 1989 mini racing flame it says on the v5 not sure what that means yet but its cool.
Its got no engine in at the moment but i got a 998 and 1275 with it so i think the 1275 will be going in.
Also needs some bodywork repairs and an interior as it has no seats atm, if anyones interested theres still some pics on ebay, here.
Any opinions on it are more than welcome, like to know what everyone thinks of it.
It would be greatly appreciated if someone could tell me where to get hold of some nice seats for it, don't want anything fancy just standard ones with nice covers.

Thats all for now
Matt

[Steve@RetroDash]

Hello everyone,

Just bought my first mini, woo hoo!!

Its a 1989 mini racing flame it says on the v5 not sure what that means yet but its cool.
Its got no engine in at the moment but i got a 998 and 1275 with it so i think the 1275 will be going in.
Also needs some bodywork repairs and an interior as it has no seats atm, if anyones interested theres still some pics on ebay, here.
Any opinions on it are more than welcome, like to know what everyone thinks of it.
It would be greatly appreciated if someone could tell me where to get hold of some nice seats for it, don't want anything fancy just standard ones with nice covers.

Thats all for now
Matt

Hi Matt

Welcome to TMF. Looks like a good project. The racing flame was a limited edition mini, I may be wrong but it originally had a 998cc engine. The 1275 will give some much needed poke though

Are you gonna play about replacing panels and spaying? looks like it'll be fun.

Steve(nickthegreek)

[mini bunnykin]

hiya
hehe whats it like to have your first mini????
im still waiting to buy my first mini did have one brought for me but it might have been sold now :'(
you will have to post some pictures up of your mini's

x

[Austin]

Greetings, I also own a little green one . The mini racing(green)/flame(red) were limited editions. They were produced in 1989/90 to gauge the possible success of re-releasing the cooper, and were a success. They were painted in either metallic british racing green or flame red(i think) with a white roof, they are similar to the 90s coopers but with a 998 instead of the 1275. Yours looks to be the mini racing. Good luck rebuilding it, heres a pic of mine which i finished around june.

 IMAG0008.JPG   518.93K   7 downloads

[Teammatt]

Its awesome, to have one cant wait to start work on it and theres some pics on the link above.

I dont know if any panels need replacing, i know there is some rusty bits and i'll prob just sand them back and treat them for the time being, if they are too bad then i may have to replace panels but as it's my first project i'm trying to keep it simple really, until i understand what i'm doing better. May get someone else to spray as i never have and don't fancy buying all the kit for a few bits.

Yours looks nice, is it a mini racing too? Hope mine looks something like that when it's done.

Is the mini racing rare then, i've never heard of them before.
Hopefully starting work on it at the weekend with my bro and dad if all goes well getting it home.

Probably be posting a lot in the future months asking advice.

Matt

Edited by Teammatt, 16 October 2006 - 09:44 PM.

[Austin]

Yes, mine is a racing green. I bought it around 18 months ago as a project for around £100-£150 (cant remember exactly) and have replaced much of the panelwork, mine was in very bad condition. The mini racing is a limited edition, but there are quite a few of them around still. I believe there were around 2500 made, but i may be wrong on that one. They seem to be quite a desirable model, i have even seen some minis which have been done up to replicate them. Unforunately (in my opinion) this model is often changed to replicate the coopers or sportspack minis, with cooper laurels in place of the original decals and sportspack arches/wheels. I think that this is probrably due to the fact that they have the cooper colours already, thereby making the conversion simpler and cheaper due to the fact that a respray is not required. Not that i have anything against cooperised minis, i just like my racing green being a racing green. Feel free to ask any advice, ive probrably already encountered most of the problems you will come across and am happy to help.

[Teammatt]

Yeah i got mine for £190, didnt think it was that bad a price really.
I'd like to keep it looking originalish, not going to badge it up as something its not.
Im going to keep the colour jus change the engine and install a funky interior.

It's not got any arches on at the mo either, what ones would you recommend?

Matt

[Austin]

Its best to choose which wheels you are using first, as arches are generally cheaper and need to be of the correct width to cover the tyre. Im using wood & picket deluxe style arches on mine and they are just the right width to cover my cosmics. They come with mini special arches as standard. what wheels were you thinking of using?

*edit* Ive just noticed the minilites on the car. Looking at them i would guess that mini special arches would suit them well, or maybe group 2 narrow works style, like the rally minis of the 60s. Mini special arches can be bought in black, grey(standard on your mini) and white. I think that they would look good sprayed to match your car. If you know roughly how far the tyres protrude from the wings then maybe i could recommend a few more.

Edited by Austin, 16 October 2006 - 10:43 PM.

[Mini Beth]

Hey, Welcome to TMF! NIce lil mini u got

[Teammatt]

Are the minilites good wheels to keep?
Been looking at group 2 arches on ebay, goin 4 about £50, thought they might be cheaper than that but o well. I was thinking either racing green or black, not sure will have to see when time comes.

Hi to you to Mini Beth

Matt

[Mini 360]

Hello and Welcome to TMF! I would have probably got a Flame if I hadnt bought my car first. Would have preffered the colour! lol!

[Austin]

The minilites are good wheels to use in my opinion, seen as you have already got them. They are the most popular style of wheel used on minis. Wheels are really a personal choice, it is entirely your choice which wheels you like. I chose my cosmics because they were different to most wheels and they stand out, some people dislike them but i think they are great and that is all that matters to me. The only problem that i have with them is that they are quite heavy, compared to my rover minilite 'winter wheels' and you do notice the difference in acceleration.