505 replies to this topic

[Steely]

Mk3 Mini's have always been my favourite over any other mini. I like the mk3 Cooper S but to be honest I'd be more than happy with a standard mk3 1000.

[72clubman]

I really want a MK3 'S' to complete my 70's sporting mini collection. I've got an early GT (it's a clubman but it's got sentimental value and all correct GT parts) a late GT, I'm just missing the cooper! 

[Steely]

Make a replica? Don't think it will be that hard as the mk3 doesn't even need a different coloured roof, all badges are easy and cheap to buy, interior is just the same as the 1000. This is why I want the standard 1000. It'll give me something to do to make it look like a cooper S

[72clubman]

If someone plonked a decent pre 73 mk3 mini 1000 I have everything to turn it into a cooper S replica bar the brake servo and the hydro system. It just wouldn't be the same though, it has to be a genuine car for me. Even a car with a MK3 S ID isn't enough, for me it has to be correct, and an absolute must is the original shell. I've probably been to seen around 10 cars.

A couple of years back I went to see the most immaculate reshelled MK3 S everything was perfect. It was still on hydro, it had the original engine and not a repair on the body, but it wasn't the original shell. To me the shell is the car.

 

 I went to see another car up in lancashire, the car was all wrong, re shelled, dry suspension, and painted Old English White, which he assured me was the original colour and horrible leather effect seats. 

 

 When I pointed out the solid rear bulkhead to him the price dropped by a few thousand he knew he had a mongrel. I saw the car for sale a few weeks later with the rear bulkhead cut out.... 

 

As you might be able to tell I've gone a little MK3 S mad.....

Edited by 72clubman, 12 March 2014 - 04:37 PM.

[Steely]

The mk3 S seats are vinyl and not leather, I'm sure.

[72clubman]

The mk3 S seats are vinyl and not leather, I'm sure.

 

They are indeed vinyl, exactly the same as the mini 1000 seats. The one I went to see had been recovered in some nasty material. 

[Steely]

I get you now. :)

[domdee]

Mk3 Mini's have always been my favourite over any other mini. I like the mk3 Cooper S but to be honest I'd be more than happy with a standard mk3 1000.

 a man after my own heart!

 

but happy with me latest mpi! I will get a mk3 again one day

[Steely]

Mk3 Mini's have always been my favourite over any other mini. I like the mk3 Cooper S but to be honest I'd be more than happy with a standard mk3 1000.

 a man after my own heart!
 
but happy with me latest mpi! I will get a mk3 again one day

I will have one, one day too but for now I'll continue with my mini 25 and the strenuous task of finding original nimbus grey parts lol.

[72clubman]

Yer I'll stick with my GT's for now, untill I find a suitable MK3! 

 

So since the sun was out again this weekend I decided to carry on with the whole mini self improvement. 

 

So the main reason for removing the rally tyres was this. 

 

They where ridiculous and this was the revenge. 

 

Pulled the arch and ruined the paint.

 

 

Got my blend on! 

 

 

Not a bad match! 

 

 

Then had a lovely drive out! 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe

Edited by 72clubman, 17 March 2014 - 08:30 PM.

[72clubman]

One thing I'd completely forgotten about! 

Over the last few months I've been searching for a matching passenger side mirror.

I found a really nice chrome mirror in the garage when it was MOT time but never found the other side! 

Turns out it was a very sought after Wingard mirror and very hard to come by, sods law! 

I eventually found one, and cost me a pretty penny! 

One thing I was missing though was one of the mounting pieces, a small aluminum bar that attaches to the mirror plinth and the mirror, I finally got around to making one this weekend so it's finally symmetrical! 

 

Here's the drivers mirror 

 

 

 

 

The passenger Side with plinth, but without the fixing bar or mirror as it's been for the last 7 months! 

 

Here showing the passenger mirror on the car finally! 

 

 

 

Sorry for the lack of close up, it completely escaped me when I was doing it! 

Joe

Edited by 72clubman, 17 March 2014 - 08:39 PM.

[72clubman]

I don't think the phrase trouble free motoring can be applied to a mini.

 

 

I'd been noticing some issues, mainly the sloppyness of my gearchange....  I think the probabal cause was a spirited drive through the countryside where I launched off a humpback bridge with a little more speed than I should causing all 4 wheels to leave the ground. The landing, whilst not hitting anything or causing serious damage did do this.

 

One Rodchange mount attached.

 

 

 

One, not so much.

 

 

 

These where brand-new 6 months ago, they really should not be failing so soon! quality eh! 

 

I also noticed this. This was a brand-new genuine top shock mount, bought brand-new from minispares 6 months ago, is this acceptable!?

 

 

 

Replacement cotton reel mounts have been ordered, I've no idea what to do about the shock mount....

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

[72clubman]

Busy weekend miniing! 

So my new rod linkage cotton reel bushes arrived and I fitted them on friday.

I did also notice that instead of fitting a Bush for the stabiliser bar at the gearbox end someone had cut a piece of copper pipe and put that in instead. wobbled in every direction. 

While under the car I noticed that I had an oil leak from somewhere! The linkage was soaked in oil. I traced it to the mechanical fuel pump. To get to it I had to pull the carburettor and manifold off to get to the bolts! cleaned and tightened, I would have replaced the gasket but I didn't have one! One has been ordered though in case. 

I finished reassembling on Saturday morning and went to get some breakfast. On returning I went to reverse back onto my drive, to have the gear change go sloppy again. One of the new cotton-reel mounts had broken. It had been on the car for 16 hours and driven for 5 minutes. I was not best pleased. 

I finally got around to emailing minispares this morning who have agreed to replace the broken bush, I also asked them to send me a new stabiliser bush as well since they where posting, and as a good will gesture they're supplying it free of charge. Thats why I buy all my supplies from them! 

 

So on Saturday I was very annoyed having a car that was pretty much undrivable and decided that if i was to have a static display of a car it may as well look a bit nicer.

 

So began this.

 

 

Standard non fluted sill trim.

 

 

Take a look at that.

One thing I see even on the most beautiful cars at shows is the kinks in the trim.

Especially in this area.

 

 

 

I then finally got around to finishing off the paint on the drivers rear quarter.

 

 

A large area of filler in this area was bothering me, so it was removed.

 

 

A teeny little hole, which was promptly welded up. 

 

 

 

 I also addressed the crease on the boot since I was painting.

I then left the paint and lacquer to cure for 24 hours. I came back to it on monday and again endured this pain.

 

 

Fitted both sides kink free.

 

 

 

 

 

Now just waiting for minispares to deliver so I can actually drive her again! 

 

Joe

[GraemeC]

I use exhaust cotton reels - seem a big stronger, certainly stiffer because they're shorter and hence they also lift the housing slightly

[Rocket.]

Great project ! I got new shock mounts about a month ago and they have already started to go rusty