18 replies to this topic

[markking]

Hey,
It’s been a while.

Im having a few troubles with the equivalent of an MOT tester here in Nz about the legalities of the little plastic “special arches” (I think they’re called) on my ‘76 round nose.

They’ve been on the vehicle since I’ve owned it and cover the tread of the tyres completely.

So long story short what year did arches first get fitted?
Lots of conflicting answers on google and I’d love some proof to show. If there’s any proof or links to anything official that would be amazing.

Thanks legends.

[1968andyf]

1979 I think with the mini special,am sure someone else will be able to provide some evidence

[beardylondon]

I believe plastic wheel arches were factory standard from when they changed from 10 inch wheels to 12 inch wheels, which was 1984, for U.K. spec cars. But as has been said already, they were on the 1979 special.

Edited by beardylondon, 01 December 2021 - 09:06 AM.

[Cooperman]

Wheel arch extensions were homologated for the Mini in 1965. The homologation papers which define the extensions as an optional extra are available and these should be what is needed to confirm that they were legal on Minis from that time onwards.
They were factory available options.

[mab01uk]

 

 

1979 Mini 1100 Special (the 20th Anniversary Mini 1959-1979)

First UK built Minis fitted with plastic arches from factory.

 

The cars : Austin-Morris Mini 1100 Special (1979)

Keith Adams tells the story of the first of what would end up being a run of more than 40 limited editions – the Austin-Morris Mini 1100 Special.

Introduced to celebrate the 20th birthday of Issigonis’ fine creation, the 1100 Special ended up being one of the most appealing Minis of them all:-

https://www.aronline...i/1100-special/

 

 

 

Mini 20th Birthday Donnington 27th Aug 1979:-

https://www.theminif...-27th-aug-1979/

Edited by mab01uk, 01 December 2021 - 03:58 PM.

[beardylondon]

Fair enough, but not a production car until 1979?

Wheel arch extensions were homologated for the Mini in 1965. The homologation papers which define the extensions as an optional extra are available and these should be what is needed to confirm that they were legal on Minis from that time onwards.
They were factory available options.

[leyland73]

1984 standardised the fitment of mini special arches across the range when disc brakes replaced drums. The spaced rear drums were introduced to match the offset of the slightly wider disc brake set up.

[timmy850]

They sold Australian made minis in NZ (mainly Cooper S and Clubman GT) and they had the Australian spec flares (a bit different to the UK plastic ones)

These all had mandatory flares from 1969. Before this they were optional (unless you lived in South Australia where they were a bit more strict and made you fit them earlier)

[beardylondon]

Fair enough, I had no idea. Glad we have a knowledgeable Antipodean presence!

They sold Australian made minis in NZ (mainly Cooper S and Clubman GT) and they had the Australian spec flares (a bit different to the UK plastic ones)

These all had mandatory flares from 1969. Before this they were optional (unless you lived in South Australia where they were a bit more strict and made you fit them earlier)

[markking]

They sold Australian made minis in NZ (mainly Cooper S and Clubman GT) and they had the Australian spec flares (a bit different to the UK plastic ones)

These all had mandatory flares from 1969. Before this they were optional (unless you lived in South Australia where they were a bit more strict and made you fit them earlier)

Timmy. Is there any official documentation of this? If so it would be perfect to show the LVV guys here and save me spending $700 to keep my car the way it has been since I’ve owned it and a lot of paperwork.

[timmy850]

I've got a Modern Motor magazine from 1970 that had the MK2 Cooper S with the flares, it's in storage somewhere but I might be able to dig it out. I might be able to track down a BMC document showing them but that may take a couple of days. You could also try asking on the ausmini facebook page, some of the guys on there might be able to find you something official 

 

I know it's a Clubman, but this 1973 brochure shows them and they are listed as "mudguard flares"

http://www.minipassi... S 1973 AUS.pdf

[MiniCarJack]

It sounds like you've got a very pedantic WOF tester, or the rules have changed in a much stricter direction since I last lived in NZ! I've previously seen a 1275GT pass its warrant inspection with arches made from garden edging   if you haven't already, I'd recommend joining the NZ Mini Owners group on Facebook as there'll be a lot of NZ-specific knowledge on there with regards to WOF tests and legislation.

[r.tec]

I think Germany has one of the stricted rules letting cars out on the roads. Therefore all 1275GT that were sold over here had to be fitted with wing extensions by the importer before they went out to the customer because it had 4.5 wide wheels fitted as standard. The authorities meant that the wheels were coming out too much so the extensions had to be fitted. I do not know when the first 1275GT arrived here but it must have been around 1969. Later the same procedure with the Innocenti Cooper 1300 Export. Nowhere else had the extensions to be fitted except in Germany. I think the first Inno Cooper where sold here in 1973.

Edited by r.tec, 13 December 2021 - 06:28 AM.

[timmy850]

Heres the scan from the 1970 Modern Motor magazine. There's a note in the first column about the now standard wheel arch extensions, and they are in the photo too. If you click on the photo it should come up in higher resolution 

Edited by timmy850, 22 December 2021 - 10:48 AM.

[Cooperman]

As I said earlier, the wheel arch extensions were oficially homologated in 1965 in Group 2.
Thus there must have been the required number produced and sold through official BMC dealers.
Factory options are considered as standard parts, in the same way as different gear ratios, twin fuel tanks, wider wheels (as listed by BMC), reclining seats, etc. 

I can't recall the homologation paper numbers, but they are official documents accepted World-wide as the definition of a vehicle's specification and available alternative options.