15 replies to this topic

[phoenixbruka]

Hi, so…. I bought a shorty unseen (other then photos/video) last week, I had it delivered to a very good garage (thank god 🤦🏼‍♀️) to go through it.
Turns out it’s not a great conversion 🫣
So the garage so far have put strengthening bars across the frame, it Needs new A pillars, wings, door skins, and I’m sure numerous other things (as well as a respray now! 🤦🏼‍♀️🙄🤷🏼‍♀️) and that’s before I start on having to renew the whole interior.
So I’m thinking, while it’s in a very unpretty state, about putting wider arches on and also putting the rear lights flush.
Now, this isn’t something I can do myself so I’m after a bit of advise what’s best to do?

Picture of Marvin before he was taken to bits for reference

https://ibb.co/Fs3SxNW

Many thanks 😊 Susie

Edited by phoenixbruka, 21 September 2023 - 02:29 PM.

[DeadSquare]

Hi, so…. I bought a shorty unseen (other then photos/video) last week, I had it delivered to a very good garage (thank god ‍♀) to go through it.
Turns out it’s not a great conversion
So the garage so far have put strengthening bars across the frame, it Needs new A pillars, wings, door skins, and I’m sure numerous other things (as well as a respray now! ‍♀‍♀) and that’s before I start on having to renew the whole interior.
So I’m thinking, while it’s in a very unpretty state, about putting wider arches on and also putting the rear lights flush.
Now, this isn’t something I can do myself so I’m after a bit of advise what’s best to do?

Picture of Marvin before he was taken to bits for reference

https://ibb.co/Fs3SxNW

Many thanks Susie

There is not much point in putting wider arches on.  The wider they are, the more easily they catch on something.

 

Please drive it sedately.   Shorty Minis don't handle as well as Minis, which don't handle as well as vans and pick-ups, because the short wheelbase to track ratio is unfavourable.

[phoenixbruka]

It’s all for the aesthetics to be honest 😎
He’s only going to be driven on sunny days and to the odd show if we can find any within a reasonable distance, gone are the days when I’d be brave enough to try 70 on the motorway in any classic mini let alone a shorty with no roof 😂
I’m sure it’ll feel like I’m going 100 mph at 40 anyway 🏎️💨🏎️💨

[absx2]

 

Please drive it sedately.   Shorty Minis don't handle as well as Minis, which don't handle as well as vans and pick-ups, because the short wheelbase to track ratio is unfavourable.

 

Wise words, the difference of the extra 4" of wheelbase is very noticeable and so much so I managed to crack all four corners of the rear door frame of an Applejack clubby estate I once had.  Good times 

 

I would be fitting an adjustable rear brake valve like an MS72 and trying it out in an empty wet carpark or such like until the rear wheels won`t lock.

 

In a true emergency stop situation the car is generally cornering as you shouldn't need to suddenly stop if you could see a problem dead ahead and this is where the mini with it`s short wheelbase can very easily swap ends if there is too much brake power to the rear and there are so many on the road with that issue which is why I put an adjustable valve on every car I work on. 

[phoenixbruka]

Thankyou for that info it’s appreciated.
I’ve driven lots of minis in the past, but not for the last 30 years 😂 (unless you count our current 2014 JCW roadster) and I’ve never driven a shorty, I’ve just always wanted one 😎
Highdays holidays and show days only for Marvin.
And by the time he’s done I’ll be driving him like he’s made of bone china with the amount it’ll cost to get him safe and pretty! 🤦🏼‍♀️💷💷💷🤦🏼‍♀️

Edited by phoenixbruka, 22 September 2023 - 08:23 AM.

[Yoda74]

Any idea what colour you are gonne give Marvin?

It's not really a Marvin colour now I think.

[phoenixbruka]

This one is indeed something to ponder……
I’m leaning towards a metallic purple (think Cadbury’s purple) with a heavy metallic flake with purple dash & centre console.
Then the seats and rear parcel shelf in Hot pink
😎💜💖
I’m considering the wheels going pink too 😎

I don’t want something that has been done to death colour wise, I like the unusual 😁

Edited by phoenixbruka, 22 September 2023 - 01:36 PM.

[Yoda74]

Okay, so he's gonna be a colourfull Marvin. 

[Designer]

Be careful the Cadburys Flake doesn't melt in the sun    

[phoenixbruka]

Well Marvin has come on significantly, and I as also significantly worse then I originally thought when I bought him 😂😂 in fact he looked quite pretty to start with !
So far virtually every panel on the car has been replaced, with the exception of the bonnet and the boot 🤦🏼‍♀️ it seems the previous owner made sure it went and stopped, but wasn’t too worried about the actual integrity of the shell 🙄
He’s out of primer and awaiting respray in the new year 🎉🎉
If anyone can remind me how to put photos on I’ll put his progress up ☺️

[phoenixbruka]

 JRTE1282.JPG   68.93K   1 downloads

 

Marvin is finally finished!    

[phoenixbruka]

 CSPW1743.JPG   63.83K   2 downloads

[phoenixbruka]

 WGAD0759.JPG   54.79K   1 downloads

[Ethel]

Wow   

 

It'd be hard not to notice Marvin, even if he is smaller than the average Min!

[phoenixbruka]

He definitely turns heads that’s for sure 🥰
we're hoping for good weather and he’s entered at statfold and Stamford mini shows!
He’ll go into dry store for winter when the weather turns, but hoping to drive until October November 🤞🏻
The engine bay is my current project so he looks as good with the bonnet up as down 😎

Edited by phoenixbruka, 15 August 2024 - 03:39 PM.