12 replies to this topic

[Eight Fifty]

I read  that, in the UK, the floor mount starter button was discontinued in 1964 but I hired ( from the BMC main agent) an almost brand new Mini 850 in the Isle of Man in 1968, which had a floor mounted button and I always remember what a joy it was to use. With the Isle of Man being only 30 X 12 miles, maybe they kept the hire cars in pristine condition for a few more years than I imagined?

 

If someone could confirm when the button was discontinued from the saloon, I would be interested.

Edited by Eight Fifty, 30 January 2014 - 08:30 AM.

[ado15]

The floor start button was deleted in September 1964 according to my information. The bulge in the floor remained, without the hole, until the introduction of the rod change gearbox in 1974.

[Eight Fifty]

The floor start button was deleted in September 1964 according to my information. The bulge in the floor remained, without the hole, until the introduction of the rod change gearbox in 1974.

 

 

Many thanks for that info. I guess the car I hired had been in service for a bit but well valeted, or even late registered.

[Mini Manannán]

Funny how things go round in circles isn't it?! All the 'posh' cars having their push-button starters again! 

[mk3 Cooper S]

Funny how things go round in circles isn't it?! All the 'posh' cars having their push-button starters again! 

Ha Ha how true. I can remember as a kid insisting on starting my mom's 61 car with the button and it taking quite some thumb force!!

 

It was a direct contact switch rather than a CAN based electronic input that it is now.

[ado15]

Got one in my old V8 Land Rover Defender.... don't need it. Just wanted it!! Sad really, isn't it? (Actually, don't answer that!!)

 

My wifes BINI Countryman has the stop/start button. It's totally superfluous in that too!

Edited by ado15, 30 January 2014 - 11:35 AM.

[Eight Fifty]

I miss the old crank handles, never on a Mini of course. With the crank handle you could take the strain off your battery, get more juice to the spark and, at the same time, had an opportunity to check your cylinder compressions and have a work out. 

[mk3 Cooper S]

Remember cranking our MMinor.

 

Keep your thumb the same side as your fingers !!!!

[Rog46]

I miss the old crank handles, never on a Mini of course. With the crank handle you could take the strain off your battery, get more juice to the spark and, at the same time, had an opportunity to check your cylinder compressions and have a work out. 

There was an aftermarket add on crank handle for the mini ! It involved (I think) a special rad with a tunnel through it for the handle, and you had to put the steering on full left lock to get the handle in!

I wonder if any have survived?

[greenwheels]

 

I miss the old crank handles, never on a Mini of course. With the crank handle you could take the strain off your battery, get more juice to the spark and, at the same time, had an opportunity to check your cylinder compressions and have a work out. 

There was an aftermarket add on crank handle for the mini ! It involved (I think) a special rad with a tunnel through it for the handle, and you had to put the steering on full left lock to get the handle in!

I wonder if any have survived?

 

Made by the Oselli brothers in Oxford before they became a well known tuner, if memory serves me correctly.

[tiger99]

Yes, I think it was Oselli, but I am not sure if the radiator was special, perhaps only the lower mounting bracket, which in those days was very different to later Minis anyway.

 

The starting dog which replaced the crankshaft pulley nut most likely would have been the standard part used on Moggys, and probably other in-line A series applications, which as far as I can see from spares suppliers web sites, did not include the Spridget.

 

We tend not to need a handle for starting these days, as many Minis have an uprated alternator and some a larger than standard battery, but as it is so useful during engine maintenance, it would be useful if someone reintroduced the starting handle kit. A possible snag is that it used a bracket on the edge of the wheel arch to guide the handle, and so may be incompatible with 12" or 13" wheels, or arch extensions. But for those who prefer 10" wheels, and would like some original accessories, it may find a fair-sized market.

 

Edit: Does anyone have a photo of a Mini with the starting handle kit installed?

Edited by tiger99, 31 January 2014 - 01:42 PM.

[tiger99]

Oh, and returning to the topic of the floor starter button, and its history, on early MK 1 models, withh the inside-out sills, it was on a seperate small pressing welded to the floor, but when the sills were reversed to "prevent" water ingress (which was actually at the toeboard to floor joint, lapped the wrong way), the new floor and inner sill pressing incorporated the raised plinth for the button, all in one piece.

[Rog46]

Yes, I think it was Oselli, but I am not sure if the radiator was special, perhaps only the lower mounting bracket, which in those days was very different to later Minis anyway.

Edit: Does anyone have a photo of a Mini with the starting handle kit installed?

I think you're right, a whole (hole? Excuse the pun I couldn't resist it) radiator would have made it too expensive!