8 replies to this topic

[davexdavexdave]

as i dont really want my mini anymore and am not eally bothered if i ruin it. i might have a go at making a roaster. is it just a matter of cutting the roof off and welding bars in to strengthen the shell. can people post pics up of them if they no what i mean as i cant find any pic of them. and can i buy the bit that covers where the rear seats would be??

[Tomm]

From the ones i have seen they look like a simple cut here and there and take the roof off but i am asure its not as easy as that. I think there is a specific website which specalises in roofless minis but ill have another look for you!

Then again if you are not bothered id say have a go at making a shorty!

Very impresive and bound to turn heads!

[biggav]

saw a great one a mitp about 8 years ago, it was yellow and had doors welded up and smoothed over, and 2 little AC Cobra screens nstead of a windscreen

[SQUADDIE]

when you cut the roof of the roof panel makes a great rear deck weild back on

[SQUADDIE]

spelling C**p must be the wine

[Silicon Skum]

when you cut the roof of the roof panel makes a great rear deck weild back on

The roof panel will be a little on the narrow side as the mini goes wider at the base of the rear windows, but you just need to weld another strip of metal in the middle to give the correct width.

You will also need to strengthen the sills, or the car will bee a bit weak there.
With a little extra work you could add a soft top cover that simply buttons (forgot the name of those pop button thingies) over the rear seat panel and front windscreen.

I would try to keep the front windscreen and 'A' pillars, as the mini looks a little odd without them (though you could shorten the hight a little to give a more roadster look. I remember a blue mini roadster with two Audi TT style roll bars on the back, in mini mag a couple of years ago, it looked really good! Maybe have a look through some mini mags to get some ideas for the design you want.

SS

[minibob]

as i dont really want my mini anymore and am not eally bothered if i ruin it. i might have a go at making a roaster. is it just a matter of cutting the roof off and welding bars in to strengthen the shell. can people post pics up of them if they no what i mean as i cant find any pic of them. and can i buy the bit that covers where the rear seats would be??

Some pics on eBay here and Here and This one shows extra bars along the sides

Edited by minibob, 24 March 2007 - 05:13 PM.

[The Matt]

I am making a roadster out of my old convertible (starting it soonish).

The roof panel (as said above) is not wide enough without welding a strip into it from what I've measured. Also, you'll need to reinforce the whole thing as the roof is a major structural member. I am welding the doors up on mine, with a pair of standard door skins, I will be putting some framework right down the sides to act as impact protection and also to give it some stiffness.

It aint an easy conversion by any means, but there are plenty around that have done it.

[davexdavexdave]

well ive never done anything like this before but sod it ill have a go.