6 replies to this topic

[Mandit13]

Hello all i am new to this forum and new to working on Mini's so if i have posted this in the wrong area of the forums i do apologise.

 

I am looking for some advice and help regarding the Mini i am rebuilding.

 

I live in Australia and have purchased a 1977 Leyland Mini S and am currently working on restoring it, this is my first car i am ever restoring. The body has a moderate amount of rust damage and im sure as i strip the vehicle i will fiind more.

 

Recently i have seen someone advertise the sale of a 1978 mini clubman shell that has been fully rust repaired and had the idea that it might be easier and cheaper if i purchased this shell and transferred all the engine and other components from my rusted 1977 mini S into the 1978 clubman shell.

 

My main questions are:

 

1. What are the differences between an Australian Mini S and a Australian Mini Clubman? or are they the same car? ( i am finding very conflicting information online with some of it suggesting they are the same car, as when they were made in Australia the names were changed slightly) 

 

2. Has anyone had any experience doing so and can give me any insight?

 

3. Will i be able to directly transfer components from my car into the clubman shell or will it require some modifications?

 

and any other information anyone thinks is relevant.

 

Many Thanks in advance for any information anyone can provide, and please be kind i am very new to this so i may be asking some silly questions, im still learning.

[Spider]

Hi and welcome to our forum !

What state are you in ?

In reply to your questions;-

1. What are the differences between an Australian Mini S and a Australian Mini Clubman? or are they the same car? ( i am finding very conflicting information online with some of it suggesting they are the same car, as when they were made in Australia the names were changed slightly)

 

There are some very small differences, but it takes a very serious rivet counter to spot them, The parts from your 1977 Mini S will go in the the 1978 Mini shell. As what you have is a Mini S, these had factory fitted 4.5" width Wheels and stepped drums front and rear, this combination necessitated the fitting of wheel arch extensions, which I'm sure you have noticed. The Base models didn't have these. If you'd like new extensions, Mini Sport in Adelaide have the factory original types, though the steel backer I * think * you need to make yourself. These were originally spot welded to the body, but most people use pop rivets.

 

2. Has anyone had any experience doing so and can give me any insight?

 

I have built up a few Minis from shells. It's difficult to know what insight you'll need, but the forum isn't far away. Take loads of photos as you strip your 77 S, but keep in mind that by now, lots of people would have likely fiddled with it and added their 'touches'.

 

 

3. Will i be able to directly transfer components from my car into the clubman shell or will it require some modifications?

 

Off hand, there's nothing I can think of that won't directly swap over, but you may wish to take the opportunity to refurbish all the sub assemblies before re-fitting, the steering rack, subframes, inc the suspension, in regards to the wiring, I'd suggest a new wiring harness, regardless how the existing one looks, it will be ongoing grief. There is an Australian supplier for these, but they have changed hands recent and their quality has gone out the window sadly. I'm not sure if Autosarks in the UK are doing these ?.

[Designer]

Hi,

 

What state are you in ?

 

Anxious, concerned, worried, optimistic, doubtful, eager, hopeful, enthusiastic. Any combination of those and others       

 

Sorry Spider couldn't resist it.    

 

 

Paddy

[68+86auto]

Everything should transfer over no issue.

 

I would suggest very carefully considering doing this though. You won't find a correctly repaired body cheaply so I'd always suspect dodgy repairs even at a premium price.

[Mandit13]

Hi and welcome to our forum !

What state are you in ?

In reply to your questions;-

1. What are the differences between an Australian Mini S and a Australian Mini Clubman? or are they the same car? ( i am finding very conflicting information online with some of it suggesting they are the same car, as when they were made in Australia the names were changed slightly)

 

There are some very small differences, but it takes a very serious rivet counter to spot them, The parts from your 1977 Mini S will go in the the 1978 Mini shell. As what you have is a Mini S, these had factory fitted 4.5" width Wheels and stepped drums front and rear, this combination necessitated the fitting of wheel arch extensions, which I'm sure you have noticed. The Base models didn't have these. If you'd like new extensions, Mini Sport in Adelaide have the factory original types, though the steel backer I * think * you need to make yourself. These were originally spot welded to the body, but most people use pop rivets.

 

2. Has anyone had any experience doing so and can give me any insight?

 

I have built up a few Minis from shells. It's difficult to know what insight you'll need, but the forum isn't far away. Take loads of photos as you strip your 77 S, but keep in mind that by now, lots of people would have likely fiddled with it and added their 'touches'.

 

 

3. Will i be able to directly transfer components from my car into the clubman shell or will it require some modifications?

 

Off hand, there's nothing I can think of that won't directly swap over, but you may wish to take the opportunity to refurbish all the sub assemblies before re-fitting, the steering rack, subframes, inc the suspension, in regards to the wiring, I'd suggest a new wiring harness, regardless how the existing one looks, it will be ongoing grief. There is an Australian supplier for these, but they have changed hands recent and their quality has gone out the window sadly. I'm not sure if Autosarks in the UK are doing these ?.

 

Thank you for welcoming me to the forum.

 

I live in NSW for those asking what state im in.

 

Thank you so much for your response Spider it is incredibly in-depth and very helpful, it was exactly the type of information i was looking for so again thank you.

Im checking out the shell in person tomorrow and will assess and compare it to my 1977 Leyland Mini S shell

[Spider]

Hi,

 

What state are you in ?

 

Anxious, concerned, worried, optimistic, doubtful, eager, hopeful, enthusiastic. Any combination of those and others       

 

Sorry Spider couldn't resist it.    

 

 

Paddy

 

I was waiting for that

 

I don't know if I'm coming or going these days,,,,

 

 

Thank you for welcoming me to the forum.

 

I live in NSW for those asking what state im in.

 

Thank you so much for your response Spider it is incredibly in-depth and very helpful, it was exactly the type of information i was looking for so again thank you.

Im checking out the shell in person tomorrow and will assess and compare it to my 1977 Leyland Mini S shell

 

 

Cheers - I'm sorta Sydney based, though out in the sticks.

 

Hope the shell is a decent one
 

[Steam]

As said already most bits will swap directly but as also said make sure you hve a really good look at the "repaired" shell. You dont want to go to all the trouble only to find the repairs are substandard. Might be worth while getting someone who knows Minis and about body repairs to go over it thoroughly.