16 replies to this topic

[beardylondon]

I saw this on ebay, and then asked for an engine bay pic, looks like an MPI, but on 1993 SPI logbook?

 

https://www.ebay.co....tm/186284059770

 

 

 

[DeadSquare]

That's a good idea, making one good car out of two by swapping a clapped out engine for one from a rusted out bodyshell.

[beardylondon]

Not really, everything about that car says MPI from new, the fusebox is in the car for a start, if you swapped the engine, I doubt you would go the trouble of changing fusebox position, plus its got a full MPI interior, airbag etc,

 

That's a good idea, making one good car out of two by swapping a clapped out engine for one from a rusted out bodyshell.

[Bobbins]

The front panel is not mpi.

[beardylondon]

maybe crash damaged?

 

looks like a bitsa, also Rover aerial on roof from MPI era.

 

The front panel is not mpi.

[Midas Mk1]

97/98 mainstream MPi Cooper that. The fact the number plates look like a kids made them on paint says it all.

Edited by Midas Mk1, 09 February 2024 - 02:54 PM.

[Ethel]

You probably could legally put an MPI into an older shell if you kept the older vehicle identity. I think I'd still be very wary, especially since the "host" is only a few years older.

 

What do we think would be the clincher on the shell's true identity - seat belt mountings?

[bpirie1000]

Is there not a vin number stamped into the scuttle panel? Something in my old man memory seams to think there vintage was stamped in centre where the lip that meets the bonnet goes.

I may be wrong.. also would be simple enough to fill and sand over I suppose..

[beardylondon]

you are correct, the VIN number is stamped in the scuttle panel bonnet lip under the drivers side wiper.

 

I saw a mini a few years back that had had that area cut out and they didn't even bother to weld a new piece back in!

 

Is there not a vin number stamped into the scuttle panel? Something in my old man memory seams to think there vintage was stamped in centre where the lip that meets the bonnet goes.

I may be wrong.. also would be simple enough to fill and sand over I suppose..

[Ethel]

Yes, but it could be lost as one of the many rot box replacement panels. Don't MPI's specialise in rotting under the windscreen?

[beardylondon]

I think the fact the car last had an MOT in 2007, signals ringer to me

Edited by beardylondon, 09 February 2024 - 04:52 PM.

[mab01uk]

This article linked below details the difficult task of fitting an MPi engine to a 1983 Mini.....while converting a later SPi Mini to MPi would probably be a little easier it is unlikely that many people would take the job on or make all the other detail changes to make things like the MPi SRS airbag/seatbelt system, etc fully functional.

 

Brian Gunn charts the process of fitting an MPi engine to his 1983 Mini.
"It wasn’t until I had collected the engine and a big box of other parts that I’d realised what a job I’d taken on. Everything was different, granted the engine would fit in the same hole as before, but just about every device connected to it differed from the car’s original spec, so it was daunting to think I’d have to fit everything and get the car going. What’s more, the MPi Mini was what most people consider a ‘new’ car at that time, so gleaning any information about how things work was always going to be a difficult task; I was limited to strictly one source of information – Rover."
The Full Story with photos on AROnline is here in the link below:-
https://www.aronline...mpi-conversion/

Edited by mab01uk, 09 February 2024 - 07:26 PM.

[mini-mad-mark]

 

maybe crash damaged?

 

looks like a bitsa, also Rover aerial on roof from MPI era.

 

The front panel is not mpi.

 

4x spotlamp holes and cut out for a fan suggests MPi front panel doesn't it, or someone REALLY did a good job of converting a standard panel to fit the fan AND to add the spotlamp holes as well....?

[mini-mad-mark]

But it certainly looks like someone has slapped an L reg log book on a later (stolen?) car

[Bobbins]

maybe crash damaged?

looks like a bitsa, also Rover aerial on roof from MPI era.

The front panel is not mpi.

4x spotlamp holes and cut out for a fan suggests MPi front panel doesn't it, or someone REALLY did a good job of converting a standard panel to fit the fan AND to add the spotlamp holes as well....?

The cooling fan cutout is not the same shape as a factory panel cutout.

Edited by Bobbins, 09 February 2024 - 10:08 PM.