18 replies to this topic

[Ethel]

Curiouser 'n  curiouser,

 

It's defo the correct cowl for the steering lock, but the rest of the new piccies suggest 1980 or later to me.

 

If somebody fitted a later shell on to an earlier subframe there could be some evidence of the later subframe mounting points on the toe board. Though any 40+ year old Mini is almost bound to have rot repaired  there or thereabouts.

[imack]

Square tunnel, no rear ashtray brackets, and single hand brake cable indicates post 76 and matchesup with the later coffin shapedpedal pads and dual circuit braking system.
Large gutter gap (yours is not normal and has been modified) and no drip rails indicates post very late 70's.
Switch panel with washer pump, steering column, ignition switch and indicator stalks are 72-76.
Gear knob is from a pre 73 car and is fitted to what I presume to be a rod change gearbox given the square tunnel.
The type of spade terminal insulators fitted to that fuse box, Ive never fitted to a twin bolt subframe car from the factory.
That bitumen sound deadening fitted to the floor pan almost has a factory fitted look. I don't think that was fitted until the early 80's. The seats appear to have latches to lock them to the floor, if original they weren't fitted pre 76.
It is looking like it may be a later shell with some early 70s parts installed and that someone has fitted a twin bolt subfame, especially seeing as it appears to have had work carried ot around the subframe bolts in the floor/toe board area and new locking plates and bolts in the bulkhead cross member.
Don't suppose you can see if crush tubes are fitted in the bulkhead cross member.

[sc-em]

Square tunnel, no rear ashtray brackets, and single hand brake cable indicates post 76 and matchesup with the later coffin shapedpedal pads and dual circuit braking system.
Large gutter gap (yours is not normal and has been modified) and no drip rails indicates post very late 70's.
Switch panel with washer pump, steering column, ignition switch and indicator stalks are 72-76.
Gear knob is from a pre 73 car and is fitted to what I presume to be a rod change gearbox given the square tunnel.
The type of spade terminal insulators fitted to that fuse box, Ive never fitted to a twin bolt subframe car from the factory.
That bitumen sound deadening fitted to the floor pan almost has a factory fitted look. I don't think that was fitted until the early 80's. The seats appear to have latches to lock them to the floor, if original they weren't fitted pre 76.
It is looking like it may be a later shell with some early 70s parts installed and that someone has fitted a twin bolt subfame, especially seeing as it appears to have had work carried ot around the subframe bolts in the floor/toe board area and new locking plates and bolts in the bulkhead cross member.
Don't suppose you can see if crush tubes are fitted in the bulkhead cross member.

Wow. That's some great information, thank you. The new lock plates and bolts were fit by me when I changed the steering rack  a few days ago, so it made sense to out new bolts in. Does it matter about the subframe being likely incorrect, as long as it all mounts up properly. It does appear a right mongrel, but in its many years, who knows what part bins may have been delved into to source the bits fit. I am not sure what the crush tubes look like? Under the bulkhead pillars were the oval type metal mounts between the bulkhead and subframe. I think the more and more I investigate, with the help of you guys on here, the more anomalies I will find. I suppose the bottom line is that as long as everything is safe, straight and works, then if I really wanted to make it all the same period correct, then it would be doable. I just want to make sure it is safe, hence check and replacing ball joints, racks, track rod ends etc. I found the bottom steering column bush was missing, so the column felt lose, even though in actual fact, it isn't. I also think I will need to replace the bottom arm bushed. if the subframe is as old as it maybe then these bushes could be shot. Surely not original though. I always wonder how previous owners seem to lose the bits that must have come off it. My Land Rover is just the same. Oh well.

[Ethel]

Anything went in the days before SVA  so there are all manner of ways you could get that mishmash. Perhaps a front end smash that was repaired with an older 2nd hand subframe. More likely, since there's Mk3 stuff there'd be no other reason to fit, somebody's "repaired" an older car to keep its identitiy.

 

The front subby might benefit from some spacers to connect the top of the bulkhead box section to the bottom, so the bolts have something to tighten against.

 

It was also quite common to use the wrong front panel back in the day, just because it was cheaper. A fistful of washers stood in for the front subby rubber mounting to bolt the frame directly to the panel.