243 replies to this topic

[The Matt]

Hope you've been working him hard STIG!

[THE STIG]

worked himself hard to day ( thats sounds bad )

tomorrow finsh off roll cage

then needs engine ,wiring etc all the easy stuff

Edited by THE STIG, 22 February 2009 - 12:28 AM.

[The Matt]

Awesome, get lots of pics of Charlie in action!

[miniboo]

C16 and progress=Nice

Pics of Charlie in "action"= Not Nice!!

[CharlieBrown]

Roll cage tacked in place today, looks rather good.

Will post some pics soon.

P.S. I love my new blue masking tape! (Birthday present from the good lady - after some pestering )

[GraemeC]

From that camera angle it looks like the wheels would foul the C16 subframe on even the smallest amount of lock. Presumably not the case but the frame certainly shows how much wider it is than the standard one.

[CharlieBrown]

I hadn't noticed that. It does look like the wheels would hit.

Errrrr...but like you say, that can't be the case, I'm sure Allspeed would have thought of that!

[Ethel]

I think the wheel clearance looks worse because of the camera angle. The kingpin axis is pretty much inline with the subby turrets so half the wheel is behind the frame and the "brace bar" bit looks no more obtrusive than brace bars for a standard subby 'n flip front.

A big deal was made of slapping a Mini Midas into a crash test concrete block to challenge the Heath Robinson opinion many people have of kitcars. I don't think such tests are particularly meaningful unless the manufacturer has the resources to use the data in a proper development program. Also, a composite mini is likely to have very similar stress and fatigue characteristics to a steel one and they've been around for years. The ABS shell looks like it's just that - a single skinned moulding. I expect that's why they recommend a cage is used.

Most kits will be over engineered to err on the side of caution.

[CharlieBrown]

Well it has been a very long time since I last updated this thread and now I'm having more time to work on it I will bring you up to speed.

The decision is definatly to go for a Vauxhall conversion, hence the prior pics of the Allspeed subframe.

May 2009:

This month saw the arrival of some nice wellers, bought from another TMF member. Also I managed to get hold a Vaux Diesel gearbox from yet another TMF member. Thanks to both of you!

The lovely wheels:

The mini in my garage:

Cleaning the gearbox:

A nice arty shot, loving the seethrough shell, eek:

June 2009:

Making templates for the windows:

My spidery writing:

On the hardboard:

Cutting the board with my pathetic multitool (went out and got a jigsaw about 10mins after this pic

October 2009:

Now this was the month that my lovely Vaix engine finally arrive, massive thanks to Gibba (of Kentish Mini Supplies for bringing it up with some other useful mini bits!!!!

Me (honest it is) taking the inlet manifold off so it can be reversed by Allspeed:

After an hour is and it was off:

The slightly now over crowded garage:

Hoping to get the engine stripped down on off to Vaux for a remanufactured one this weekend.

Then there is plenty more still to do

[bert998]

as if you were going to try and cut all that board out with that multi tool!!!

[daemonchild]

as if you were going to try and cut all that board out with that multi tool!!!

My lawn needs cutting. Here are some nail scissors...

[pickmeup]

good to catch up with you last night mate!
if you need a hand then let me know! after ive got mine done of course

[CharlieBrown]

Ok, ok so I was rather over optimistic with the multitool, but come on it was only hardboard, I mean that’s one up from cardboard!! Stupid thing.

(Good job I didn’t post the pic of me using the junior hacksaw then!)

Pickmeup: Cheers, it was good to chat to you as well, as for the offer of help, done! Always good to have a hand. nice to meet you as well

[Ethel]

I think you might find wooden windows restrict your vision a bit too!

More than a 70% tint 'n you'll have the rozzers after you I'd say antique pine at the most

[CharlieBrown]

Well I havent finished yet have I, I will be making eye holes in them of course!

Just done a bit more tonight.

Removed some of the rad pipes, electrics and the starter motor:

Looking a little more naked now