13 replies to this topic

[mab01uk]

BMC CAR DIVISION EXPERIMENTAL DEPARTMENT REPORT, 22 NOV 1966, ADO15 GRP FIBREGLASS MINI BODY

TEST RESULTS CARRIED OUT IN 1966 ON A PROPOSED MINI BODY MADE OF GRP FIBREGLASS TO BE MADE OVERSEAS IN COUNTRIES WHERE IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO PRODUCE STEEL PANELS

 

 

"Engineered by Peel in the Isle of Man. BMC made 6 from the Peel moulds. The whole manufacture was done in Chile including the body shell.

Only 2 of these GRP BMC Mini prototypes are known to survive."

 

 

 

Edited by mab01uk, 23 March 2014 - 11:39 PM.

[dennismini93]

this is really interesting. i wonder if any will now be 'discovered' and if the owners know anything more

[Naughty 40]

I know of one in the UK think it came from Brazil

[mab01uk]

The Mini Cord GRP Mini website:

http://www.minipassi...ord/facorca.htm

[craig 1010cc]

I remember when I used to work for them talking to my boss who'd been there since the 60's, he remembered riving a fibreglass austin 1100 that was a prototype for export. They kept hearing a sloshing and soon realised the the doors had 1/2 filled up with water as there was no drain holes

[mab01uk]

 

 

[mab01uk]

 

"A prototype GRP Mini. Production cars were built in Chile. A handful were produced at Pressed Steel Fisher - Cowley. Moulds were produced by Peel Engineering on Isle of Man. Moulds sent to Cowley and prototypes made there. Then moulds sent to Chile to start production there. One was sent to Fibreglass Ltd Wirral (Pilkington Group) for evaluation (see below) and one is in Gaydon.
As mentioned they had Mk1 lights and rear screen but Mk2 badging, seats and other features along with a Riley Elf dashboard."

Edited by mab01uk, 02 February 2024 - 09:09 AM.

[mab01uk]

 

 

 

Mk1 Forum:-
http://mk1-forum.net...=333658#p333658

 

[Ethel]

If everything in the pressed steel drawing with a part number was stamped out by them, that's a lot of steel bits!

 

Looks to be LHD only too. When you consider the ethos of the original body design, as a universal lhd, rhd flatpack it's a tad ironic.

 

Was it more a lack of welding plant or power generating infrastructure???

[DeadSquare]

Where are the moulds ?

[floormanager]

It was at Bingley Hall last week

[Ethel]

Where are the moulds ?

 

 

I might have dreamt it, but I've a recollection somebody, from the region, posted about that on TMF.

 

http://www.minipassi...uth America.pdf

[Shooter63]

A full carbon/kevlar version would be nice, mate that with a set of titainium subbies, poly windows and a A5 based engine you would end up with something you could more or less pick up and carry about.

Shooter

[mab01uk]

Mini Sprint – Body Shell Kit – Carbon Fibre Composite Kit - £8,500

"This carbon fibre / quadaxel / kevlar composite body shell kit is manufactured from original moulds designed and manufactured in the 1980’s."

Approximate weight – 58.5 Kilo

https://absmotorspor...-composite-kit/

 

Mini Van Shell - £4,250.00

https://customminis..../mini-van-shell

 

Edited by mab01uk, 04 February 2024 - 07:12 PM.