17 replies to this topic

[Colinmac1330]

I have just bought myself a fra fibreglass mini shell so trying to gather as much info as I can on fibreglass minis. Are there any dedicated sites or forums that I could check out?

[minisprint]

Just a bare shell? Got front end bonnet? Built and help build many fibreglass minis , pm me if you have any questions

[Colinmac1330]

Yeah I got the shell with tailgate,front end, bonnet, doorskins and rear valance.

[jaydee]

Nah..they dont rust..they are the evil! 

[mab01uk]

Fibreglass Mini Cord - History

"In early 1990 in Facorca in the factory located on Mariara (Carabobo State, Venezuela), the idea of building Minis made of Fiber-Glass is gestated.

After more than a year, on April of 1990 an agreement is reached with Rover Group Ltd. to obtain support, technical supervision, and to provide all the mechanical parts as well as all electric components, Facorca would assume the body, interior trim, radiator, radio, wheels, and tires. The factory molds itself for a maximum production of 10 cars per day, but the normal production would eventually become 6 cars per day.

 

In December 1991, the series production commences, assembling a total of 113 Mini Cords in that month. Two basic models with 1000cc enter the market (the project of launching a 1275cc engine was never achieved): The Mini Cord FA, deluxe version, which brought amongst other things, air conditioning, complete leather interior trim, central console with tachometer, chrome bumpers, spotlights,  Minilite Type GB wheels ; and the SB Mini Cord, Standard Version, with cloth interior trim, and steel wheels with deluxe wheel cups. All Colombian versions came with  Minilite type GB wheels.

 

In 1992 768 Mini Cords were produced, specifically for the Colombia, Venezuela, and Antilles market, of which 164 were imported to Colombia. That was the best year of production.

If you visit the BMIHT museum (British Motor Industry Heritage Trust) you’ll be able to find, in a privileged place, amidst the most important Minis, a Red Mini Cord FA, with white roof.

Between the years 1991 and 1995, only 1309 Mini Cord were produced, in the standard and the Deluxe Version, Cooper and Convertibles, which takes it to be the smallest or at least of the smallest Mini Productions of a Mini ever. "

http://www.minipassi...ord/facorca.htm

 

http://www.minipassi...oryminicord.htm

Edited by mab01uk, 29 January 2016 - 11:05 PM.

[mab01uk]

BMC CAR DIVISION EXPERIMENTAL DEPARTMENT REPORT, 22 NOV 1966, ADO15 GRP FIBREGLASS MINI BODY

TEST RESULTS CARRIED OUT IN 1966 ON A PROPOSED MINI BODY MADE OF GRP FIBREGLASS TO BE MADE OVERSEAS IN COUNTRIES WHERE IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO PRODUCE STEEL PANELS

 

 

"Engineered by Peel in the Isle of Man. BMC made 6 from the Peel moulds. The whole manufacture was done in Chile including the body shell.

Only 2 of these GRP BMC Mini prototypes are known to survive."

 

 

 

[dyshipfakta]

That second picture was a crash into a polystyrene block at 5 miles an hour lol

[cooperS]

this is a fine example of a fibreglass Mini Cooper made in Chile, is a 1969 Mini Cooper

 

 

[pdaykin]

Wasn't the FRA the one which had the 'sprinted' lower half but standard Windows?

[Alex_B]

Wasn't the FRA the one which had the 'sprinted' lower half but standard Windows?

Thats the mini minus that has 3 inches shorter in the body but standard height above the waist line. 

[pdaykin]

My age may be playing tricks with my memory.

I'm sure there was something different with the FRA.

Was it the one available with 4 headlights ?

[Alex_B]

 

Wasn't the FRA the one which had the 'sprinted' lower half but standard Windows?

Thats the mini minus that has 3 inches shorter in the body but standard height above the waist line. 

 

Heres a photo that shows some of the difference between a minus and a mini, not an ideal shot as the road is slightly downhill at this point and the perspective is a little odd from the camera angle. 

[Dusky]

How much lighter are they?

[mab01uk]

this is a fine example of a fibreglass Mini Cooper made in Chile, is a 1969 Mini Cooper

 

 

 

 

 

Great looking Mini, have also posted your photos on the Mk1 Forum here:-

http://mk1-forum.net....php?f=5&t=7091

[Alex_B]

How much lighter are they?

I've not had my minus weighed yet but I plan to get it on the corner weights at work soon, I'm expecting it to be about 600-650kg in current trim. Can't speak for the other fiberglass cars though.