34 replies to this topic

[Mk2]

Hello all, 

 

I've been a longtime member and finally figured I should make a little bit of a build thread on my 66 Mini. I had a mk2 for a little while but always wanted a Mk1. I wasn't too picky as long as it was a solid mini. Soon I found a car locally that was advertised as a 68 (mk2) I was intrigued so asked for pictures and sure enough it was actually a Mk1. Had a look and we made a deal. When I bought the car it had a 1330, roll cage, race seat, 13" wheels and flairs. I already removed the roll cage, sold the flairs,  and ordered smaller discs so I can mount 10" wheels on. The plan is to have a fairly period correct looking car. I blew up the 1330 and have now found a 1275, this time an A+ from a 90's Rover mini. Doesn't need much work actually, fairly straight forward project! Let me know what you guys think!

 

Here is the car as bought.

 

 

Here was it running one summer before I blew it up

 

 

Here it is currently, awaiting some attention.

 

 

 

Here is a youtube video as well! Just a little walk around.

 

https://youtu.be/rZtr53MUdLE

 

 

 

[johnR]

Very nice - it will look much better on 10s

[Mk2]

A little progress in the past week.

 

Started with cleaning the 1275 and replacing a few gaskets. Also replaced the clutch. Has some hardware plated and got some bits powder coated. Not going crazy with this build but wanted this engine bay to look a little cleaner as well as being much nicer to work on. 

It is always so exciting when parts arrive in the mail. I feel like a kid on Christmas! 

This is the current state of the mini. Just got the engine in today.

[minimissions]

awesome looking mini :)

[buddylove]

Looks good! A Mk1 should never have 13s. Paint the engine green to keep with the period!

[Mk2]

Got the mini running! All went well and the engine sounds really good. Started right up! Can’t drive it just yet. Still need to get my front brake situation sorted. I learnt that it had metro hubs on it with the 8.4” discs. I bought the 7.5” disc conversion kit and found out that the Rotors hit the hubs! So new hubs are now on the way. I am running the stock length wheel studs and these JBW Mambas came with lugs that only turn on a few threads? Where can I get proper lug nuts? I might have to reconsider the mambas or do the group 2 flair route as well. I have a fair bit of poke... This mini business isn’t cheap! Polished the 20+ year old paint and am very pleased with the results! I also reinstalled an original licence plate light and mounted the Austin Mini script. I have learnt that the export models actually had Austin 850 scripts. Would love to find one! Anyway I suppose thats all for now. I still have lots of work ahead!

 

 

[minimissions]

Nice work, she looks great! What is the indent and hole on the drivers side back panel above the light? Never seen that before.

[miniireland]

That looks great in the snow

[slidehammer]

Looking much better than it did when you first go it. Looks much better on 10's without the wheel arches.

[Chappers]

That looks lovely. Well done turning around from when you got it.

Are you running spacers on the front?

[Mk2]

Nice work, she looks great! What is the indent and hole on the drivers side back panel above the light? Never seen that before.

 

Thanks! That is actually an antenna mount thing. Not sure why they did that. If I ever paint the mini ill fix it but for now Im not going to touch it.

 

Looking much better than it did when you first go it. Looks much better on 10's without the wheel arches.

 

Thank you! Couldn't agree more!

 

That looks lovely. Well done turning around from when you got it.

Are you running spacers on the front?

 

No spacers, just metro hubs and discs. They will be replaced with 7.5s and mini hubs!

[Will16]

Lovely looking car

[minimissions]

I thought that's what it might have been. I get you leaving it for now, such a great little car

[dougie1142]

Absolutely love this man, such a nice highlight that 10's make the Mini IMO. 

 

I'll follow this one, my Mk1 isn't really original either - it's running a Metro engine. But i'm trying to keep it somewhat period, just upgrading it to make it as best driving as I can. 

 

Your paint is significantly better than mine however, hopefully going to address that next year! 

 

Keep it up.

[Vinay-RS]

Love your Mk1. I agree with everyone, it looks so much better with 10s than 13s. Those wheels are great and the car would be great with some gp2 arches. Alternatively, you could get some D1s (I quite like these) or some 4.5" S steelies. 

 

Nice choice with the Cobra RS classic bucket seat. They suit these cars perfectly.

 

What is that strange cut out in the body on the right side of the rear panel?