5 replies to this topic

[Steev-O-ring]

To the good people of the Mini world, I'm going to ask a question which may make some of your toes curl. Firstly to introduce myself, my names Steve and I've owned and loved three minis in the past but I haven't had the pleasure of driving one for a good number of years. All my minis have been automatic transmission (because of a physical disability) and I've been asked if I'd like to buy a (fairly recently restored) friends mini. This is a manual and I'd need to get it converted. Is this an expensive or complicated job to do... Thanks for listening 

[MikeRotherham]

I would imagine the cheapest way to achieve this if there were an ample supply of decent automatic gearboxes and engines, because the automatic engine is unique to the AP automatic gearbox, is to go down that route but I would imagine it would still be costly.

 

If I were in the same position as yourself I would look at the companies that convert manual gearboxes to automated manuals for disabled drivers. These are usually done on modern cars but this is also possible on classic minis.

 

There is a young man on Youtube who became disabled after a biking accident. He has his manual minis converted so that he is able to drive them. His name is Alex Toon but his channel is called Classic Mini Details. Hopefully, this may help:

 

Edited by MikeRotherham, 10 June 2022 - 04:05 PM.

[mab01uk]

The 'Automatic Mini Register' forum in link below might also be of interest:-

https://autominiregi....proboards.com/

 

[Magneto]

I think I would just find an automatic Mini to buy, there are plenty or rust free Japanese market automatics around if you look.

[Homersimpson]

I helped convert a manual mini to automatic many years ago for a similar reason, if the car is an early one (pre injection) then its a fairly simple swap albeit getting hold of the parts would be difficult.

 

If its a later injection car then its still possible but you probably need to change things like the ECU as well which could get complicated.

 

The front subframe on automatic cars is wider so that would need to be changed as well as the engine, gearbox, gear selector and various other bits.

 

The best way to do it would be to find a mini auto thats gone rotten and swap the bits but it sounds a lot of hassle compared to just buying an automatic one.

[Steev-O-ring]

Thank you (all of you) very much indeed for the advice.