WNX 700H Restoration

[WNX700H]

This car was the one built and driven by Will Sparrow in the early 70's with an Eight Port ARDEN engine . It won the British Rally Championship in 1970 and is the last Mini to win an International Rally (Welsh 1970 ). Just about to start restoration of the shell , car will be driven by Will Sparrow on its first outing when complate

[59fan]

I helped push that car into its parking space at Beaulieu, it rolls very well

Ian

[bluemin]

Several thousand years ago I worked in a garage in Perth Scotland. Will came to do the Hackle rally & called in to get his fouled up plugs cleaned. Couldn't charge the great man of course but I got hell from the greedy garage owner who thought we should charge everyone & everything.

Think that will won from memory. He reckoned that the wet weather helped as the amount of water inside the car cooled his feet somewhat.

Best of luck with the rebuild.

[acespeed72]

Got to say this is probably my favourite rally Mini and i am enjoying the fact it is out and about again.

Cheers

[Austin Costin]

It's great to see so many great cars coming to light again. Good luck.

[littler]

another special beast , any more pics?

[InimiaD]

Ahh, reminds me of my old rally Mini.
Good luck with the resto and keep us posted with the progress.
Are those external hinges i can see.?

[WNX700H]

Yes external hinges originally built using a MK2 shell then rolled on 1970 Tour of Mull and repaired using Clubman front end to house the 8 port more easily .... also got its Velvetex roof at the same time from Tony Bloor Racing to cover the ripples in the roof .

Anyone know where I can get Velvetex from these days ??

[bluemin]

You might.........or might not of course........be interested in an advert in an ancient Muttering Nudes that my nav dug out of his loft. (He's having a clear out )

Said ad is in the for sale section of July 4, 1974. Ad reads:
1293cc Rally Cooper S.
Ex-Sparrow WNX700H
5 port head, lightened panels and windows, 4 Lucas spots, works wiring, Halda, roll cage, rally seats, Minilites and spare wheels/tyres, Sumpguard etc £575.
Steve Kingshott

Off now to have a good cry.

[WNX700H]

Hi,

Please can you send me a copy of the ad or a scanned version , trying to piece toether as much of the history as possible . My email address is david.hopkins@trw.com

Thanks

[acespeed72]

Any updates on this restoration?

[racemini.nl]

Was this car also used by Cars and Cars conversion. But with original round nose?

I think I found a photo of that car.

Will scan it tonight.

Greetings Roald.

[mk1]

WNX,

Any progress?

I am really looking forward to seeing how things are progressing.

[bluemin]

Lifted from the Cooper site. Beginning of October:
The restoration of the shell for WNX 700H starts shortly , looks like there will be not a lot left of the original shell apart from front / rear bulkheads / maybe front scuttle / roof and most of rear panel .... rebuild has been entrusted to reputable body shop who I have used to restore repair all my cars over the years.

I have the following new panels

- complete M Machine floor pan inc cross member / inner sills and heel complete.

- brand new Mk2 body sides inc A panel ... external hinges

- NOS clubman inner wings

- NOS clubman outer wings

- New solid mount clubman front panel

- Very good ST alloys doors and boot lid

.... still to buy boot floor and arches

So essentially building the shell from scratch using as much of the old one as reasonably possible.

As I said reputable body shop with all facilities to do this but any advice on order to proceed before starting.

[racemini.nl]

Well here it is. WNX 700H:


Greetings Roald.

[austinisuseless]

Must have put a Clubman front end on instead for the eight-port conversion for space for carbs.

Photo here of Will Sparrow/Nigel Raeburn on the 1971 Circuit of Ireland Rally in WNX700H,



link, with other past Minis photos, http://www.forum-auto.com/sport-auto/th ... 712-70.htm
(interesting photo link there of interesting road sign roof lamp, http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/1586 ... nenqm4.jpg )

[littler]

surely they changed the shell after a smack? would they have bother to convert to a clubby front?

oooo how many WNX 700H 's are there

nice car though, i really like the works clubbys .

[austinisuseless]

Might be a body shell change from CCC Rally championship to later, maybe because a clubman body more modern then and now could get for more advertising money backing. Was the 1970 Welsh Rally winner short nosed? Anyone know?

Here is Will with a different Mini for the 1972 Welsh Rally event,



link, http://www.garyjonesrallypics.co.uk/Ret ... llery3.htm

[mk1]

BMC usually re shelled / remodelled their rally cars to reflect the current spec. Look how MK1's were remodelled to MK2 spec. a few years earlier.

I think the most interesting aspect of this is the fact that the car was seem out & about in both round nose & clubman spec. There can't be many other works cars with that claim to fame!

[vulcanbb18]

Wow what a cool project, with that clubby front end and the Mk1/2 back end it reminds me of Aussie clubmans

Best of luck with it!

cheers

Jacob