9 replies to this topic

[orangeteg]

Hello ive found an almost new condition mini shell so i thought i could use it for my mk4 mini. I asked the guy if the shell is single bolt and he said yes but when i went to check the shell my self its indeed a single bolt but the drip rails are mk3 type, the starter switch is located in the switch plate and not on the steering column as mk4's are suposed to be.

I thought that single bolt came on mk4's which also included steering column starter, reverse speed lights, and a better roof gutter among other small things..

Hows that possible?

[Guess-Works.com]

I would make sure that what you think is the hole for the turret bolt is not the hole which was used for the pipe to the hydro unit.... look for two holes, one either side of the single middle hole...

Also if it is designed for a turret, rubber, mounted subframe then there will be plates on the bulkhead for the bottom mounts to bolt through.

[The Matt]

And the toeboard will be different, quite different if it's a four-bolt type shell. The rear of the front subframe bolts in different places to the rubber mounted tower-bolt type.

[clive78]

Hi,

Sorry to gate crash this topic...

How do you tell the difference between a MK3 and 4 shell?.

I have a 1971 mini which I am getting back on the road and I am unsure as to whether it has been reshelled at some point. It has the boot board mounting points (as per Mk1/2 S models) Chrome gear stick, steering wheel drop down and twin tank holes - but has the bigger ear lights (with the reverse lamps). Is this a mk4 shell?

I will add a few photos as soon as I have worked out how.

Thanks

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Edited by clive78, 20 October 2012 - 09:02 AM.

[Guess-Works.com]

Mk3's have round front tunnels and mk4's have the later flat toped front tunnel.........

To save me typing anymore.... what he said...

Almost...

MK3's have both a round or flat tunnel, the differentiation is in 1973 when the rod change was introduced, but the MK4 didn't materialise until 1976 when the front subframe was change from solid to rubber mounted, which is the crux of this topic

A MK3 in keeping with the 1971 era should have a round tunnel.

Edited by Guess-Works.com, 20 October 2012 - 09:03 AM.

[clive78]

Gearbox Guru and Up Into Fourth,

Thank you.

I take it that the tunnel is the gearbox/exhaust tunnel. The front subframe is solid mounted - but this is with after market bits so not much help, same deal with the rod change box (a 1275 GT unit). I guess that she is a bit of a mix up of many parts, just interested in tying down what the shell is.

[Guess-Works.com]

Gearbox Guru and Up Into Fourth,

Thank you.

I take it that the tunnel is the gearbox/exhaust tunnel. The front subframe is solid mounted - but this is with after market bits so not much help, same deal with the rod change box (a 1275 GT unit). I guess that she is a bit of a mix up of many parts, just interested in tying down what the shell is.

It's not a 1971 shell then... but does sound like a later post 1973 MK3 if it has the boot board brackets... I take it is a clubman and not a round nose.

[clive78]

Its a round nose, I dug her out of a garage in march this year where she has been sat for at least 8 years, I have some reciepts but not a lot to go on. The gearbox is from a 1275GT according to the paperwork that I have but the engine has clearly been played with as she is running a webber 45. I have yet to re commision her but she was apparently used as a hill climber back in the late 90's. I uploaded some photos onto my earlier post - it looks like a later shell though if the boot board brackets were positioned in post 73 cars and only in S's previous to this.

Thanks for the help.

[62S]

Your bootboard brackets look like a later addition to the shell. A 1971 shell should have an elongated cut out in the rear bulkhead which yours doesn't seem to have.

The Mk 4 backlights fit in the same aperture as on Mk 2 & 3.

[Artful Dodger]

Hi,

Sorry to gate crash this topic...

How do you tell the difference between a MK3 and 4 shell?.

I have a 1971 mini which I am getting back on the road and I am unsure as to whether it has been reshelled at some point. It has the boot board mounting points (as per Mk1/2 S models) Chrome gear stick, steering wheel drop down and twin tank holes - but has the bigger ear lights (with the reverse lamps). Is this a mk4 shell?

I will add a few photos as soon as I have worked out how.

Thanks

en easier way to tell the difference between a mk3 and mk4 shell is a mk4 shell doesnt have the drip rails underneath the gutters and the mk4 shell has a single line handbrake cable. a mk1,mk2 and mk3 has twin cables:)