34 replies to this topic

[johnR]

Well worth the outlay, especially with it being a family car - you can't put a price on that. 

[Lotusman33]

Very true but we did lose our way as was planning to use for some everyday fun, doing events and for my dad to use pottering about down his allotment. We’ve ended up with something immaculate which will be for sunny day trips or shows ?

Planning to fit a Facet gold pump today along with rigging a pressure gauge then setting the regulator to 2.5psi, currently the pump is only making 1.2 psi so not ideal for the twin carbs. Been fine until on load up steep hills where it has struggled a little more than expected hence checking the pressure. Checking the plugs after doing 60 miles and we have a nice brown colour so running is pretty good.
Other short term task is another brake bleed as it beds in due to pedal not being as good as we would like and installing relays for the spots which I just haven’t had time to do yet.
I changed the oil and filter again last weekend since the build to clear the graphogen assembly grease and checked for debris, the tappets were all good still as was head torque.
Final bit will be getting the car back to the bodyshop for a couple bits caught during the long rebuild, final flat and polish followed by a rolling road session to get the optimum out of the engine.

Only other ongoing things will be to find the Chronometric gear I released and fit some BMC mudflaps.
 F2971236-7C8F-4407-A04D-8B27925C54CE.jpeg   61.21K   3 downloads
The suspension had a full four wheel set up which took 3 hours of playing, transformed the drive so recommend this to anyone running a fully adjustable set up.

Dave ?

Edited by Lotusman33, 20 June 2020 - 10:06 AM.

[Daz1968]

Lovely car, was it originally a downton turned car or have you built it to same spec, just I have done similar with my mk2 cooper and built it same spec as a downton touring conversion. Am yet to drive mine though yet, it’s insured from Friday this week so next weekend I can give it a run down,

[steeley]

Thanks for adding more pics your engine bay looks amazing, I’ve nearly finished my rebuild and just put my engine back in but not quite in the same league ,mine will be a daily driver though so it will get a bit more abuse I’m sure

One day I’d like to do a car to the same standard as yours but I’d need to have more time and more patience

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•  3F396674-8CCA-402B-AD55-048252BB33BF.jpeg   85.24K   1 downloads

Edited by steeley, 21 June 2020 - 07:33 AM.

[Lotusman33]

Daz, not sure when ours was converted and by who as my dad bought it years ago as a barn type find and got it going for a couple years but it was quite smokey come the end so needed a rebuild, it was pretty scruffy to be honest with you but had all the parts. We have had a few people look at it over the years who seem to believe it was original parts but couldn’t say if done by Downton or just one of the kits they sold or a mixture of parts. We tried tracing the car with no response from previous owners and the heritage certificate says nothing.
The engine and head have been worked including the carbs and manifold. When he bought we hadn’t even heard of Downton then watched a TV show with Ant Antsted who did a Cooper.
It drives great with good response sounding lovely but to be honest some larger carbs and modern filters would unleash more, I like the old carbs and coopers filters though as gives it character.
So many Mini’s get modified I suspect there’s lots of old mules kicking about with interesting old bits.
If I sell to build a 1275GT Auto next so my father and wife can use then it will be sold honestly letting people make up their own minds about heritage, for is it’s been a long but fun build and now raises eyebrows and gets people talking. Our car has a few similarities to the one in the heritage museum which is nice just far better condition now

Steeley, your engine bay looks good and very nice blue, you should have a great everyday mini when finished which you can polish up for shows when wanted

Dave

[Minigman]

The H4 carb and the rocker cover look like Downton mods. They’ll be some stamped markings on there somewhere if it is a genuine Downton car. I see you’ve got the Mk1 performance Mark Forster recreated Downton window sticker which look great. Mark who is highly knowledgeable, also has a very early Downton car so he’d be a really good bet for help authenticating it. Authenticated, this would boost the value by quite some margin. You could try and contact him via the mk1 forum. His name on there is mk1. Looks a great car!

[Minigman]

This may also help.

http://mk1-performan...ing_downton.htm

[Lotusman33]

Thanks guys, I have spoken to Mark years ago and actually bought that decal and a key ring for my dad one Father’s Day probably 5 years ago after we stripped the car to address the body.
I will take some photos of the head markings and post here, just some numbers really.

I wish it were running H4 carbs but they are actually H1 with their biggest needles, it runs amazing well with them as well with no pinking or run on and plugs have a perfect brown colour. The manifold has Downton on it which is nice not that you can really see it. We were going to convert to a Webber if we could have found the Downton Manifold but happy as is now.
I’m genuinely not worried about value as fun was in the building and travelling the country looking at different Mini’s talking to all the enthusiasts, as said I am a Lotus person who has a passion for the mini since my first car.
We may keep it but think an Auto is probably easier now considering his age, I should have converted this one but never expected it to be off the road for so long.  359031DF-3882-4DCB-B649-52BB72E40520.jpeg   36.68K   2 downloads

Dave ?

[johnR]

As you're not too far away it might be worth you taking the car to the Downton classic car show (near Salisbury) run by the Downton Engineering Social Club annually. I think it's been postponed to 22nd August this year. It's a great little minicentric show and the Cuckoo Fair in the village is a good day out.

[Lotusman33]

That sounds like a great idea, never heard of that one before. I have friends in Marlborough so could make a weekend of it.
Are you going JohnR?

Hopefully the mini will be run in by then and have a few miles under its belt.

Dave

[Grant 111]

What a Lovely car! You have done great job restoring it too dave. I have a 1960 in the same colour with a downtown engine too. Great taste I say ?

[johnR]

That sounds like a great idea, never heard of that one before. I have friends in Marlborough so could make a weekend of it.
Are you going JohnR?

Hopefully the mini will be run in by then and have a few miles under its belt.

Dave

I'm hoping to have the (old) engine back in mine by then and if so, yes we will.

[Lotusman33]

What a Lovely car! You have done great job restoring it too dave. I have a 1960 in the same colour with a downtown engine too. Great taste I say

Excellent, post a pic with a few details

[Grant 111]

I will try and upload a photo. Still a bit rusty at operating the forum!

[mab01uk]

1960 build works Classic Morris Downton Mk 1 mini

https://www.ebay.co....296883?ul_noapp

Edited by mab01uk, 30 June 2020 - 06:46 PM.