6 replies to this topic

[lauder32]

Hello everyone. After moving downunder a few years ago, I've finally got, my hands on a mini again. They are alot rarer here, and much more expensive. I was worried about getting priced out if I didn't act soon, so I've bought myself a 1977 Australian built Leyland Mini. Mechanically perfect and I got a great, great deal. My problem is, I'm just not as drawn to the front end as the round nose.

If I were to go down the route of converting the front end to round nose, am I right in thinking that all is the same from the scuttle back, and it is just the inner and outer wings, and front apron that I'd need to change? Has anyone done this before? A fibreglass flip is a no-go down here, so that's out of the question.

Follow on question if it is possible, I'm a fan of the late mpi mini look, with the sportpack arches, could I fit these wings or would it have to be the same time period of replacement parts?

I've tried to look, but all I can see is flip fronts! I know the Clubman is the favourite of some, but it's just not my cup of tea.  c2bod2k5berk5iaxl773xktty.jpg   83.14K   7 downloads

Edited by lauder32, 07 September 2020 - 03:20 PM.

[paulrockliffe]

Oh man, you can't swap a Clubman to round-nose!  The other way around sure, but please no!

 

More seriously, the easiest way to achieve this change would be to find someone with a roundnose and do a swap, can't imagine you'd struggle to find someone, given how much better looking the Clubman's are.

 

That looks awesome.

[Chris1275gt]

That looks a nice tidy car and would be a tragedy to mess it up but it's your car. As above try and swap it or sell it to someone who would appreciate it more and buy a roundnose.

[Dusky]

Its an expenaive swap. Add a bonnet to the list too + shipping. Then grille, indicator lenses,.. takes quite a bit of parts.

[Tupers]

Yep the actual structure of the bulkhead back is the same so you’ll need inner wings/flitches, outer wings, front panel, bonnet & bonnet hinges. You’ll also need new inner A panels as these will have to come off to swap the inner wings over properly.

Just panels with no trim would set you back the best part of £700 in the UK then you’re looking at a lot of hours to do the conversion plus the likelihood of a full respray post front end swap.

While we all love a good project I’d suggest you get a good few hundred miles on the car a decide how much you like it before jumping in. I don’t know what labour and material rates are like in OZ but I think I’d be billing that conversion out at upwards of £7k.

[lauder32]

Cheers for the replies guys! Fortunately I've managed to source a place down here with heritage panels and the work I can do myself. Was just more wondering if it's possible.

I know it's not ideal for some, I tried to love it but I'm just not as into it as the round nose front and I'm definitely priced out of those here! Even with new panels this will still be cheaper.

[CK's mini]

If you carefully remove the front panels you could probably sell them to fund the round nose front, complete Clubman front ends cost a fortune (speaking from experience ), mine was very nearly changed to a round nose due to the cost but i couldn't do it and so glad i didn't.