62 replies to this topic

[and90cooper]

I think that in the event of a rear end smash that is hard enough to rupture the fuel tank,you’ll be having other problems than the fuel tank-ie be smashed into the vehicle in front.much more of a worry I’d say...

[sonscar]

Of course you could have just reversed or spun into something.If you want something badly enough you will find a way,perhaps mock it up in card first.Steve..

[mab01uk]

I think that in the event of a rear end smash that is hard enough to rupture the fuel tank,you’ll be having other problems than the fuel tank-ie be smashed into the vehicle in front.much more of a worry I’d say...

 

However one less thing to worry about if the car is not in flames or dripping petrol on a hot exhaust while waiting for the rescue services to arrive....

Edited by mab01uk, 24 July 2021 - 08:09 PM.

[and90cooper]

All very true-but I’d be more more worried about a side impact.
To be honest I don’t tend to think about the worst case scenario.it never happened when I had one as a daily driver,and I’m not worried about it now.

[mab01uk]

All very true-but I’d be more more worried about a side impact.
To be honest I don’t tend to think about the worst case scenario.it never happened when I had one as a daily driver,and I’m not worried about it now.

 

Yes, as a classic car/Mini driver/enthusiast you have to accept the extra risk involved in the same way as if you are a Motor bike enthusiast....but drive defensively to minimise the extra risk wherever possible.

Edited by mab01uk, 24 July 2021 - 09:59 PM.

[gazza82]

My Austin A35 has the tank under the boot floor ... this was a forerunner to the Mini ... and I've ripped the drain plug out once reversing over a high kerb. No it didn't burst into flames but I left trail of 2* behind me ...

That car has a hefty bumper and two heavy gauge steel bumper irons bolted to a couple of steel tubes ... not like the Mini's rear end. Get rear-ended in an A35 and there is a lot of steel before the tank.

I'm re-building it now and considering an in-boot mounted alloy tank ... ??

Edited by gazza82, 26 July 2021 - 10:37 AM.

[skoughi]

Thanks for all the comments folks, given plenty to think about! It's still doable in my mind even though there's certainly a few design issues to overcome, and all the work making it reality may easily outweigh any benefits but you don't really know until you try. Unfortunately I have an attitude that if a lot of folk tell me not to do something or that something cannot be done then that's the one thing I will certainly want to do! When it comes time to give my Clubman a spruce up then I'll give this notion a revisit and see if it's worth it. Keep the comments coming!

[Ethel]

I did actually get side swiped on back left corner once. The boot lid sprung open & the rear quarter needed replacing, but the tyres lost grip & the car spun saving any damage to the tank. Of course there are possible scenarios where that wouldn't happen, but nothing like as many where just being in a little 650kg tin box is less safe than being in something bigger that was designed to be crashed.

[Mini Manannán]

I'm following this one as I've been mulling over fitting a supplemental tank in the subframe on my clubby estate, a bit of extra weight on the rear would be nice and going to fuel up every 5 days is a chore.

  I seem to remember someone on TMF mentioning that they used to fit Hillman Imp tanks in the space.

[skoughi]

I had another look at the Clubman yesterday and I think for my own personal circumstance I'd happily turn my Mini into a dedicated 2 seat car. The rear seat base could then be raised to the same level as the boot floor and would then leave enough space for a larger capacity fuel tank. The space would be created by shortening the floor at the rear and cutting away the toe board, this would mean constructing box section where the companion bins are for the subframe mounts and a box section crossmember running across the car in front of the the rear sub to tie everything together. The existing companion bins would no longer be required and once suitable mounts for the seat belts were constructed loosing the bins will free up space for the two front seats to slide back further. I think I could keep the traditional filling cap where it's at on the rear corner and have a pipe and vent pipe go over the top of the rear wheel tub and down to where the new tank is at. Doing this would mean a spare wheel well is still there if you want to carry one and the battery box can remain. I'm sure the new tank can be raised enough to give clearance from the existing floor and subframe for protection along with a skid plate? This would give a much wider boot space and also longer seeing as the rear seat isn't there anymore. Now this solution to this probably non existent problem is really only suitable to me as there's just me and my good lady who goes for runs and I would like to take her south onto the mainland for tours so this set up will give us luggage space. Some would say well if you want that then go and buy an estate, but they cost a lot of money to buy then more money to restore so I'll stick with modifying the car I've got! I also feel that a proper hatchback would help things as well.........

[KTS]

it would probably be a lot easier and a lot less work to relocate the spare wheel and battery inside the cabin and fit an additional (..or larger..) tank in the boot 

[gazza82]

I had another look at the Clubman yesterday and I think for my own personal circumstance I'd happily turn my Mini into a dedicated 2 seat car. The rear seat base could then be raised to the same level as the boot floor and would then leave enough space for a larger capacity fuel tank. The space would be created by shortening the floor at the rear and cutting away the toe board, this would mean constructing box section where the companion bins are for the subframe mounts and a box section crossmember running across the car in front of the the rear sub to tie everything together. The existing companion bins would no longer be required and once suitable mounts for the seat belts were constructed loosing the bins will free up space for the two front seats to slide back further. I think I could keep the traditional filling cap where it's at on the rear corner and have a pipe and vent pipe go over the top of the rear wheel tub and down to where the new tank is at. Doing this would mean a spare wheel well is still there if you want to carry one and the battery box can remain. I'm sure the new tank can be raised enough to give clearance from the existing floor and subframe for protection along with a skid plate? This would give a much wider boot space and also longer seeing as the rear seat isn't there anymore. Now this solution to this probably non existent problem is really only suitable to me as there's just me and my good lady who goes for runs and I would like to take her south onto the mainland for tours so this set up will give us luggage space. Some would say well if you want that then go and buy an estate, but they cost a lot of money to buy then more money to restore so I'll stick with modifying the car I've got! I also feel that a proper hatchback would help things as well.........

You are probably veering into IVA testing with those mods ... https://www.gov.uk/v...ehicle-approval

Edited by gazza82, 26 July 2021 - 04:14 PM.

[skoughi]

it would probably be a lot easier and a lot less work to relocate the spare wheel and battery inside the cabin and fit an additional (..or larger..) tank in the boot 

This was my original view on this, compdoc suggested a Lithium battery which would be smaller and be easier to relocate (maybe under the space where the rear seat is?) I don't carry a spare wheel/tyre just a small compressor and a couple bottles of sealer but if I was to go touring about the UK it may be wise to have a spare to hand, if I was to convert my Clubman to a 2 seater then there could be a space behind the front seats that could hold a spare for the time that I would be touring. Maybe 6 of 1 and half a dozen of the other, a lot of pondering required to see what route would be the easiest and give me the best use of the space available. Along with the thought that can I even be bothered to do the work required!

[skoughi]

it would probably be a lot easier and a lot less work to relocate the spare wheel and battery inside the cabin and fit an additional (..or larger..) tank in the boot 

This was my original view on this, compdoc suggested a Lithium battery which would be smaller and be easier to relocate (maybe under the space where the rear seat is?) I don't carry a spare wheel/tyre just a small compressor and a couple bottles of sealer but if I was to go touring about the UK it may be wise to have a spare to hand, if I was to convert my Clubman to a 2 seater then there could be a space behind the front seats that could hold a spare for the time that I would be touring. Maybe 6 of 1 and half a dozen of the other, a lot of pondering required to see what route would be the easiest and give me the best use of the space available. Along with the thought that can I even be bothered to do the work required!

[skoughi]

 

I had another look at the Clubman yesterday and I think for my own personal circumstance I'd happily turn my Mini into a dedicated 2 seat car. The rear seat base could then be raised to the same level as the boot floor and would then leave enough space for a larger capacity fuel tank. The space would be created by shortening the floor at the rear and cutting away the toe board, this would mean constructing box section where the companion bins are for the subframe mounts and a box section crossmember running across the car in front of the the rear sub to tie everything together. The existing companion bins would no longer be required and once suitable mounts for the seat belts were constructed loosing the bins will free up space for the two front seats to slide back further. I think I could keep the traditional filling cap where it's at on the rear corner and have a pipe and vent pipe go over the top of the rear wheel tub and down to where the new tank is at. Doing this would mean a spare wheel well is still there if you want to carry one and the battery box can remain. I'm sure the new tank can be raised enough to give clearance from the existing floor and subframe for protection along with a skid plate? This would give a much wider boot space and also longer seeing as the rear seat isn't there anymore. Now this solution to this probably non existent problem is really only suitable to me as there's just me and my good lady who goes for runs and I would like to take her south onto the mainland for tours so this set up will give us luggage space. Some would say well if you want that then go and buy an estate, but they cost a lot of money to buy then more money to restore so I'll stick with modifying the car I've got! I also feel that a proper hatchback would help things as well.........

You are probably veering into IVA testing with those mods ... https://www.gov.uk/v...ehicle-approval

 

Yes there is that to maybe consider by doing it this way, substantial changes to the shell and all that.