984 replies to this topic

[Jared Mk3]

It's probably about time that I started a thread for the build of this car. She is a 1970 South African Mk3, essentially a Elf/Hornet body with the front end of normal round nose Mini. The doors are the same, with the internal locking mechanism being on the door handle, unlike the later Mini's which have a separate latch. All the chrome work like the bigger bumpers, window surrounds etc. are the same as the Elf/Hornet. Apart from the front end, the major difference between the Mk3 and the Elf/Hornet was definitely the interior. Where those cars were all about luxury, the Mk3 was more about the extra luggage space with the standard Mini interior that was available in SA at the time. The luxuries ending with the large door pockets and the triple centre gauges.

These cars had the 998cc engine, but the manufacturer of the cars at the time, Leykor, decided that due to the extra body weight, the gearbox required different ratios to aid in acceleration. So 1st was adjusted to 3.525:1 from 3.627:1, and 2nd was adjusted to 2.218:1 from 2.172:1.

And according to figures in a book about SA Minis. only about 3871 cars were sold. So not that rare, but uncommon.

Anyway, that's enough on the basics of the car. I've owned this vehicle since I was 14 or so, bought off an old man who had fixed up the engine to beyond perfect, his only requirement being that the car be loved and cared for. I lost the original photos I had of the car when I bought her, but there are one or two pictures in the February 2009 issue of MiniWorld.

After the strip down :

 

 

 

 

After the respray :

 

 

The chosen wheels :

 

 

 

As she stands now, a right sorry mess, and that's just the garage :

Edited by Jared Mk3, 02 July 2017 - 04:03 PM.

[lourens]

Great to "c" the MK3 thread strarted Jared, where did you get the body done?

[Jared Mk3]

Great to "c" the MK3 thread strarted Jared, where did you get the body done?

Thank you. I was lucky with this car when I bought her, the body was very straight, the only problem being the front valance that wasn't straight, one or two very small dents and the doors that had holes in for mirrors. The panelbeaters who did it for, Liberty Panelbeaters here in Kokstad, sorted that all out for and at a minimum cost. The colour is Mitsubishi Indigo Blue Pearl, a very unique colour that has to be appreciated in the sunlight.

[Jared Mk3]

Right, a basic idea of what the interior will look like :

 

Notice the large door pocket and the door lock mechanism on the door opening handle.
 

Edited by Jared Mk3, 02 July 2017 - 04:06 PM.

[Jared Mk3]

With the joys of South African weather [no rust and no moisture], most Mini's from the 1970's never had a heater fitted as standard. So I bought myself one on the cheap and fixed it up.

Before :

 

After :

 

 

Again, the facia sticker to match the doors etc.

Edited by Jared Mk3, 02 July 2017 - 04:13 PM.

[Jared Mk3]

Just a few things that I have done on the car in terms of cleaning, replacing, fixing up and general maintenance.

Firstly, the rear subframe as it used to be, slightly bent and covered in 40 years of South African road :

 

And after a good clean and repaint :

 

 

 

 

The above is just something that I found on the front part of the subframe where it attaches to the body. There are 2 or 3 yellow painted stars on it, along with the ELF painted by brush. This could be due to the fact that these cars were originally destined to be called the Mini Elf - but due to another manufacturer having the name Elf in circulation on their vehicle, these cars were subsequently called the Mini Mk3.

 

The sheer uniqueness of the South African cars never seems to end. Above is a tappet cover that my brother got for me as a present.

Please do ignore some of the headlines of the newspaper clippings.

Edited by Jared Mk3, 02 July 2017 - 04:17 PM.

[Jared Mk3]

Well, since I put pictures of the rear subframe, I should do the same for the front subframe.

As it had come out the car, with 40 years of South African road, oil and over spray on it :

And as it stands now :

 

And the top arms just after they had come off the frame :

And now :

Edited by Jared Mk3, 02 July 2017 - 04:20 PM.

[Jared Mk3]

I received this in the post today, a brand spanking new roof lining from Newton :

 

Some of the other items that I've cleaned and fixed up :

Before :

After :

The tail lights in this country are a little like hen's teeth, well the good ones. Due to the lovely South African climate our cars don't rust as easily, but the sun does take it's toll on the plastic of the lenses, often causing damage that cannot be undone. The ones above are the ones I found for the car and cleaned up and shall be using. The ones below are ones I managed to get early on, but as you can see, there's pretty obvious sun damage :

Edited by Jared Mk3, 02 July 2017 - 04:24 PM.

[iMurray]

That's alot of fun! I'm jealous

[Jared Mk3]

I dread having to do it, but once I get myself started I just keep going until it's done. A lot of elbow grease goes into as well.

[Jared Mk3]

Just a few bits and bobs that I have bought for the car over the last year or so - take note that with me living in SA, the import costs are quite excessive at the best of times, especially considering the exchange rate .

The switch panel that I redid myself with brand new switches and cables etc :

Edited by Jared Mk3, 02 July 2017 - 04:28 PM.

[jamesmpi]

Excellent work. Looking like a great project

[Jared Mk3]

Excellent work. Looking like a great project

Thanks man. It's coming along slowly - cricket and hockey and work tend to take up some time. As does the fact that some essential parts like the steering rack U-bolts decide to relocate to an undetermined destination without my knowledge.

[frasermini]

Really nice work I'm impressed

[Jared Mk3]

Really nice work I'm impressed

Thanks man, the encouragement really does make a difference. And it also pays off to do as much of the work yourself as you can.

I managed to get some decent U-bolts to replace the bent and lost ones. I am also nearing completion of the right hand side drivetrain unit; so driveshaft, hub, drive flange etc. I have also gotten halfway with the replacement balljoints for that side. [Just realise that I've never done any of this before and neither has my dad or sibling, so I'm learning a lot as we plod along.]