12 replies to this topic

[pcalahane]

As some of you may have guessed by the title, Elenor is my Unicorn (Gone in 60 Seconds Reference). I have owned her for just 3 weeks shy of 1 year! However, I do not need to take my shoes off to count how many times I have driven her. The previous owner did not believe in using gaskets to seal things so instead he used RTV Silicone whenever and where ever possible. After figuring this out my father-in-law and I decided to just do a rebuild and fix all issues before they had a chance to start. After pulling the motor, we found that the 1st motion bearings was obliterated by a blockage in the oil grooves (by RTV). So the rebuild became a restore while we were waiting for more parts. 

 

The body has been worked on here and there but it still needs to be sanded, primed then painted. All the parts have arrived and my idea of how it will look when its done has started to take shape. Final color scheme will be a semi gloss olive drab with a black grille.

 

Here's what I have to work with:

 

-Registered in California as a 1960 Austin Mini:

Either an Austin Se7en or 850, Built in October of 1959

 

-1275 SMOG Head: SN:12G1316

 

-1275 Engine Block: SN:12H393M-(X)8068

From an ADO16

 

-Transmission: SN: 22G1128

From a 1300GT, 4 Synchro Manual, Close Ratio, 3.1 Final Drive, Remote Shift, Solid Remote Shift Sandwich Plate

 

-Intake Altered:

HIF44 1.75" Carb Removed/Twin SU HS2 1.25" Carbs Added, Pancake Filters, M Needles, Red Springs, Brass Dashpot Damper, 5mm Carb Spacers

 

-Engine Pressure Relief System Added:

PCV Valve, Crank Case Breather, Vented Valve Cover Cap

 

 

-Exhaust Upgraded:

Magniflow Freeflow Header, Freeflow to Single Box Straight Pipe, RC40 Single Box Exhaust

 

-Engine Trimmings:

High Torque Starter, Electronic Points, Flamethrower Ignition, Electronic Fuel Pump, Alternator Conversion, Polished Valve Cover, 2 Piece Cooper S Radiator Shroud, 4 Blade Metal Radiator Fan, Aluminum Radiator

 

-Brakes:

Cooper S Front Brakes 7.5", Cooper S 1" Spacer Rear Drum Brakes, All New Linkage/Piping

 

-Suspension:

HiLo Adjustable Suspension, Red Coil Springs, KYB Shocks, Polyurethane Bushings (Complete), 100+ 5x10 Wheels

 

-Interior:

Right Hand Drive, Floor Mounted Push Button Starter, Floor Mounted Hi/Lo Switch, MK1 Headliner (Fully Framed), Reclining MK2 Seats w/ Seat Extensions, Flat Dash w/ Two Glove Boxes (L/R), Center 3 Cluster Gauge Pod (Oil Pressure, Speedo/Fuel, Water Temp), Kenwood Single Deck Stereo, 12 Volt Cigarette Lighter

 

-Exterior:

MK1 Morris Stamped Grill, Brass Grille Buttons, Roof Mounted Antenna, Paddy Hopkirk Roof Rack, PL700 Headlamps, Locking Fuel Filler Cap, Land Rover Discovery Front and Rear Lights, Removed "City" Wheel Arches, Removed Front and Rear Bumpers, Removed Front Bumper Lip, Welded Rear Bumper Seam

 

Link to Pictures/Blog: http://www.mini.rambour.com/

Let me know what you guys think. I am very proud of what we have done so far and I just can't wait to drive her again.

 

-Peter

Edited by pcalahane, 20 January 2017 - 02:10 AM.

[whistler]

That gearbox has a rubber sandwich between the remote and diff housing. That indicates that at least the gearbox and probably the engine has come from a Austin/Morris 1300. To my knowledge that remote type was never fitted to a mini. Oil leaks destroy that rubber sandwich; same for the rubber driveshaft couplings. Back when that engine/gearbox was used (1275) there were 2 lcb manifolds (headers) available for minis. One for the 1275 (not sure about the 1071/970) and a slightly shorter version for the rest of engines available (the 1275 being a taller block).

Perhaps the engine transplanter used the wrong manifold, hence the touching of the couplings. Others of my age but with better memories might offer similar observations.

[mab01uk]

Welcome, have you registered your rare car with the 1959 Mini Register below, they like to hear about even the much modified surviving '59 Mini's.

http://1959miniregister.com/

 

You might also be interested in the Mk1 Forum:-

http://mk1-forum.net/index.php

 

and the Mk1 Performance website:-

http://mk1-performan...k/mk1_index.htm

[pcalahane]

Thanks mab01uk for the sites. I was only registered here and at the mk1-forum. I will quickly remedy that. They seem like great places to find additional information and a place to get more feedback on the build. I am so new to Mini's that I am constantly afraid I am going to mess it up.

 

My findings are that whistler is correct. I believe from serial number decoding that the gearbox is an early Austin 4 synchro gearbox probably from a Austin 1300. But when used with a LCB Header, they would rub on the drive shafts. So we switched to a freeflow header to gain additional clearance. That does put a cap on HP totals but I am okay with that. I want a 75mph max for freeway driving. I only work about 10 miles away. So a 90hp Max should allow for that to happen if I decide to build it up further.

[pcalahane]

Here are all the photos and info I got on here from the PO.

http://www.miniguy.c...reenwhite60mk1/

http://www.miniguy.c...hite60mk1_more/

[pcalahane]

So over the weekend, I scored a MK1 stamped grille in old english white. The question I have is if it is would be blasphemy to paint it matte black since the car itself will be painted old english white? My goal is to make the car white and black themed and have the body be white and the trim be matte black. But is this something that will have the purists up in arms or is it socially acceptable? I know its my car to do as I wish, but I also want to keep the car in a state of OEM+. It looks original.... except it doesn't. Does that make sense?

[xydte]

Mate i am glad that yours is in better condition than my mk1... The radiator and the 7.5 brakes are the most expensive i have paid so far!!! the spare wheel (the white ) is a cromondora i got a set of there Keep it up 

[pcalahane]

Thanks! At the moment it doesn't look like much but it should turn out pretty well after the respray. It is a dream come true. I just can't wait to drive it again.

[pcalahane]

[panky]

You do what ever you want to your car, every Mini is different and vive la difference, who wants to be driving something the same as someone else. I think it would look great matte black. If you don't like it change it back or paint it another colour - it all helps keep the rust at bay  Just don't put sportspack arches on it

There will always be those who hold there hand up in horror at a car that doesn't comply with factory spec, but do you really care - I dont think so

[Vinay-RS]

Looks good in white. Should look just as good in black too :) 

[pcalahane]

Thanks guys. It's going to be powder coated semi gloss black like most of the parts I restored. It's a great finish. Mostly, it's just nice to see it finally taking shape. With the white grille on, my wife has taken to calling it my frog. Hahaha I'm just hoping I don't screw up the body too much welding up holes/replacing rusted out sections.

[pcalahane]

Looks like the project has evolved. We just picked up a downed 2002 Yamaha YZF R1. The plan so far is to put the engine in the mini with either the Promotive Kit or the Lynx AE cradle. The main problem is Lynx is unresponsive and do not list a price anywhere. So as much as I like certain aspects of the kit, like the air scoop for the radiator, it looks like I’m going to go with Promotive for service alone.

That means all the mini parts will be up for sale. I’m located in California but can always figure out shipping anywhere for the right price. I have a full interior carpet set (Black), MK1-2 black reclining seats, red and grey rear seats (has a black cover) and all the door cards and trim (used but in decent condition). I still have to assemble the engine to the gearbox, but that also will be for sale. It’s a bummer that I rust restored my front subframe because if I go with Promotive, it will also be up for sale.

There are just too many parts to list but I am excited to start stripping down the R1 and figuring out how to adapt it’s wiring harness for the mini. I think I will have it go throughout the car for simplicity.