64 replies to this topic

[buddylove]

I am about to put in for a big order from Minispares, so I thought it would be a good time to start a project thread on here to chronicle my progress.

She is a 1978 Leyland Mini Clubman LE from New Zealand. The original owner was a older lady who had owned it since new and had even kept the original purchase receipt. Some how the Mini ended up in a National Prize in New Zealand and was restored for the winner. The winner was a school teacher who had bought a tv and was automatically entered into the drawing. He had no need for the Clubbie and one of my club members, found him and offered to purchase it while on holiday in New Zealand (His wife is from there). The club member then had the Clubbie shipped back to the US to Whidbey Island in Washington along with a 1999 Mini MPI and a Morris Minor Truck. After owning her for 3 years, he put her up for sale and I was the lucky buyer a couple months later. He had custom plates on her that said, Kiwi NV. That is where her name comes from.

I have owned her for about a year with plenty of happy motoring and it has come to a point where she needs some maintenace and upgrades as well.

Pics from the day she was purchased:












She also has a pretty pimptastic headliner, that I will get pics of eventually.

All in all, Don brought back over a very solid Clubbie. There is no rust in the usual areas and the only rust that does exist is surface rust from rock chips mostly. Though there is a small rust spot on one of the doors that I will need to take care of.

There aren't many changes as of now that I want to make. I have already removed the exhaust tip chrome cover, and taken off the hubcaps as one of them likes to fly off going around turns, lol. She isn't running too well at the moment due to needing a new fanbelt, most of the ignition components changed, and the carb might need servicing. I would also like to lower her on some genuine hi-los with spax shocks, the tie bars are bent as well. We think that the shipping company used them to tie her down on the boat. I have also just bought new to me wheels and tires that I haven't seen on a Mini before. We will see how those turn out. She is mostly used as my daily and I would like to get her back to that state as she makes the commute very enjoyable as you all know

Sorry about all the text, I know its a bore to read all of it sometimes.

A few more pics from over the last year:

[guywithvan]

very nice,seen your vw thread and been waiting to see the mini one!

[erica]

it looks like a very nice car and i cant wait to see the progress on her. i am glad that you are keeping it fairly original, it is too nicer car to change too much. good luck with it all!

ps: how do you find driving on the right side of the car or the right side of the road? i think it would be a wierd feeling

[buddylove]

At first it was a bit weird, but I prefer it now. Shifting is no problem, the only thing that messes me up is switching from RHD to LHD. The rest of our cars are all LHD and the controls (wiper / blinker) are the reverse of each other. Not that big of a deal, but a pain sometimes. The best part is driving next to drivers and seeing them surprised when they look over since they are LHD and I'm RHD.

[analogue_radio]

Hey man, wondered why you never did have a project thread! so what's in this order then, or is it a big surprise?

[Sir Cheat]

I've seen them pics somewhere before.. Umm Nice Clubby mate looks really good white

[buddylove]

lol, ya I have posted a couple of them before in Mini Chat. In terms of major plans, I am still deciding how much modding I actually want to do. I know I will eventually do at least a stage one kit. Though for me to get that it will cost at least $700 usd due to shipping and exchange rate. I am also contemplating a supercharger on my 1098, but not sure if I really need that much hp. We will just see how it all unfolds

Pic of the new wheels. The tires on them are barely used Falkens, none of the tread has been worn. I had them shipped to me from Austria. They are 10x5 Bachtels. Still undecided on if I like them or not, we will see how they look once they are fitted up.

[analogue_radio]

Haven't seen those before, like 'em! Is there not a mini shop in your state? $700 dollars for a Stage 1 kit is ridiculous!

[carboy001]

I know I will eventually do at least a stage one kit. Though for me to get that it will cost at least $700 usd due to shipping and exchange rate. I am also contemplating a supercharger on my 1098

It is not worth getting a stage 1 kit at that price, waaaaaay over the odds for what you gain!

Supercharger but it all depends on how much you can afford to pay out in fuel etc and whether its economical to do it regards whether its your daily or fun weekend demon

[buddylove]

We have Mini Mania in the US (they get all their parts from Mini Spares), but they don't sell stage one kits I would have to piece it together and it still works out cheaper to buy from Mini Spares. I will probably just piece a half kit together and get a custom exhaust made over here. The main cost in the stage one kit is getting the exhaust shipped.

[Goldie1275]

Omg thats the most sexual thing i have seen in a long time! lucky lucky! i actually like the hubcaps but the new wheels are also very pretty! would love to see this beast out and about. glad yur not changing much of it and she looks it beautiful shape!
going to keep an eye on how this is coming along
x

[buddylove]

Thanks Now that I have posted up, I have some ideas circulating in my head. Full on daily isn't needed since I can alternate with my Mk3 Golf that I have. Now, funds to do a supercharger are not really there right now lol, damn Uni.

[buddylove]

Pic of the stickers that go on the center caps.

[buddylove]

Just put my order in with Minispares, and ordered some Halogens from another company.


Your order:


GDC136 - DISTRIBUTOR CAP(GDC501) 1 ($5.87) £3.97
C-27H7779 - LEAD SET ROVER PERFORMANCE LEAD SET 8MM TYPE 1 ($19.51) £13.19
S5400 - PLASTIC HEADLAMP BOWL KIT 2 ($24.78) £16.76
13H6461 - DISTRIBUTOR SHIELD CLIP 1 ($5.18) £3.50
DLB105 - COIL SPORTS LUCAS 1 ($20.51) £13.87
XNB10007 - PETROL TANK SENDER UNIT,SALOON UPTO INJECTION 1 ($22.18) £15.00
E2601 - AIR FILTER ELEMENT K&N REPLACEMENT GFE1008 HS4/HIF 1 ($33.36) £22.56
37H2691 - MK4 REAR LAMP SEAL L/H. (REVERSE LAMP TYPE) 1 ($6.95) £4.70
GRA2130 - ROTOR ARM BLUE FOR PERFORMANCE,45D TYPE AND GDC143 1 ($3.33) £2.25
GAM216A - MIRROR FLAT LH DOOR STAINLESS STEEL BODY 1 ($19.67) £13.30
GCS2118 - CONTACT POINTS FOR 45D 1974-80(RED PLASTIC) 1 ($3.42) £2.31
GAM215A - MIRROR FLAT RH DOOR STAINLESS STEEL BODY 1 ($19.67) £13.30
MSSK3006 - SUSPENSION PACK OF HILOS AND LOWERED SPAX MINISPARES DAMPERS 1 ($268.14) £181.32
GCB10838 - FAN BELT ALTERNATOR when CAM6408 pulley and alternator used 1 ($6.45) £4.36
C-STR687 - CONE SPRING RUBBER(ROAD AND RALLY)NEEDS HILOS RED SPOT 1 ($64.77) £43.80
21A1092 - TIE BAR KIT 21A1091 WITH C-STR627 BUSH KIT 1 ($36.23) £24.50

Edited by buddylove, 27 January 2009 - 12:45 AM.

[buddylove]

Just received all the parts I have been waiting on for a bit now. Over the next few days most of them should be going on.

Made space for it in the garage, had to knock down the wall behind it where the GTI is sitting so we could get 2 cars in there. Took about 2 hours to get the GTI to the spot that its in, but now we have a 2 car garage so its worth it






She's a bit dirty, but she'll get a good clean after this is all done.

Box of parts from Minispares in the UK. Very good people to deal with, would highly recommend them.




Suspension components, have 4 shocks total. They are lowered adjustable Spax Krypton shocks.



Genuine Hi-Los, had to pay a bit more for them, but I am told they are worth it in the long run. The height adjustable part of the suspension.







The Rubber Donuts "Cone Springs"



New Stainless Steel Mirrors.



New Lucas P700 Halogen Headlamps. Will be a nice change from the sealed beams Got the idea from theIMAGE.



All the other maintenance components. New cap, rotor, condensor, plug wires, fan belt, and K&N air filter. There are also adjustable tie rods in there with a bush kit as mine are bent.

I also bought Por15 Engine Enamel Paint - Chrysler Hemi Orange to paint up the drums and the engine. Should be nice and bright.

Edited by buddylove, 27 January 2009 - 12:21 AM.