EcoClassic Electric Mk1 Austin Mini

[Bitsilly]

A few of the good folk on this 'ere forum have asked me to start a thread following the design and make of what will hopefully result in a 1960 Mk1 Electric Mini!
I know that some readers will fundamentally disagree that such an endeavour is a good idea, but please let that be a matter for discussion elsewhere.
I will cry more than most when watered down petrol gets phased out!

The project started with this:

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which I bought after it had been stripped down, sand blasted and undercoated.

[Bitsilly]

This is what it looked like then:

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All the welding had been done, the hole for the wand gearstick had been left but another hole cut for a later gear stick as the previous owner was thinking of ditching the wand.
High seatbelt mounts had been fitted inside the B-pillars.
The rest of the car was in boxes including a lot of good bits like the correct dated w/s/w motor, window latches etc.

I sent it off to an excellent paint and prep shop in Cardiff called The Davis Motor Company which I had used for an MG once before, and Covid came.

[Bitsilly]

The shell was finally finished after months of delay but it had been finished and painted really well IMHO back to it's original colour of Tartan Red.

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[Bitsilly]

I now have the entire car in boxes and bits.
All that lock-down time gave me time to source a lot of goodies and finishing touches like period tool kit and reversing lights.
I'm a subscriber to kit car magazine, and in a recent edition there was an article about a Westfield Lotus 11 replica which had been made electric by it's owner who used to work on electrifying Transit vans for Ford.
I contacted the owner/builder and between lock-downs met up with him, a very nice bloke called Nick Mason and had a spin in the car.
In the past I have been lucky enough to drive some quick cars, but I was really surprised how the electric car felt, the best way to describe it was that it felt like hitting a petrol engined car's sweet spot, but at all times!
And so I decided to make the Mini electric! Not to save the planet, but as it seemed the ultimate way to make a wolf in sheep's clothing. That, and my wife said I could!
Things will now move slowly for a while as I have lots to get on with and a Cobra to sell to finance the project.
But in the best traditions of car p*rn this is one of the first batch of 5 reduction boxes attached to a motor.
We are trying to make it so it uses existing CV joints and drive shafts (but two short ones) to keep cost down.
The plan is also to allow the reduction box to take the cars existing diff which will mean a Mini spares LSD will also fit if needed.
We are also trying to keep the drive central as possible to reduce torque steer.

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[Bitsilly]

Some of the challenges are:
How to power the speedo - possibly use an electronic Smiths trad style with easy calibration.
How to have a normal 12v supply to deal with lights and heater etc - either a alternator or an extra battery powered by main battery pack.
How to fit servo brakes - probably a later Mini set up or remote servo and a 12V vacuum pump.

I have already bought super fin rear brakes and discks for the front, hi-lows, and adjustable tie rods etc.



And MOST importantly, believe it or not, HOW TO KEEP THE CAR LOOKING ABSOLUTELY STOCK 1960!

[Nick W]

Looks an excellent project, will be good to see how this comes along.

[Bitsilly]

Cheers, the main and obvious drawback is cost, I could probably get a good Cooper S for what it will cost!

[W1NG3D]

Looking forward to seeing how this progresses! An electric Mk1 which looks completely standard is right up my street, it'll make for a nice little "sleeper" car

[harrymini]

Where are you planning on putting the main battery packs?

You could maybe use the original battery box for the auxiliary battery?

[Lakeland997]

I use a Volkswagen electric vacuum pump with the late servo arrangement on my 7-port as there’s no manifold take-off. The interconnecting vacuum pipe is from a Volvo and includes a one-way valve and a pressure cut-off switch.
It’s simple to fit and works really well.

Andy

[mk1]

This is one I'm looking forward to following.

[Van13]

Going to enjoy this,I’m hoping the price of these kits become reasonable in time,priced a kit up myself for the van eye watering to say the least

[Bitsilly]

A point worth making is that electric cars are eerily quiet so you get to hear a lot more of the small rattles.
I had a lot of Dynomat left over from my last project and I love the stuff!
If you have never tried it, it basically damps the higher frequency noise from panels. If for example you stick it on your doors the noise they make when you shut them goes from a tinny rattle to a satisfying thump!
Another benefit is it doesn't hold water like felt does.

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[mk1]

it basically damps the higher frequency noise

My ears do that Automatically after years of angle grinding with no ear defenders on

I have just checked out the price of Dynamat.

It's not cheap is it!!!!!

[Bitsilly]

Luckily I had some left over so it was free, but it is expensive at £150 for 35sqft but cheaper versions are available.


The problem of the separate 12v supply for lights etc turned out to have been solved by EcoClassics already as there is a 12V take-off from their system.
I have also had help from the forum regarding fitting a servo to the brakes which now looks pretty straightforward.
As there is no vacuum supplied from the engine anymore, I will have to fit a 12v vacuum pump, I got a good price on a quieter rotary vane pump as opposed to a piston one which is hopefully in the post.
Next step is to send the front subframe up to Nick so he can weld on the motor mounts using a jig he has to ensure they are in the right place! He has promised that nothing has to be cut off the frame so I figured it would be pretty easy to cut off the brackets and so keep the 'reversibility' of the project intact.

[Bitsilly]

Most of my bits are delayed on route thanks to Covid and Brexit so I have pressed on with what I can so as to make a little space in the garage by getting some bits onto the car!
Front subframe will be picked up tomorrow and delivered to EcoClassics for the mounts.
Fitting the rear windscreen and Newton Commercial rear interior bits provided quite a workout thanks to harder rubber seals and the much-stiffer-than-cardboard materials used. I'm stiff and exhausted!
However I love the rear windscreen demister, just have to find some conductive glue to get it to work as the ends have been broken off.

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[mk1]

Looking good!

[Nick W]

I used to have some conductive glue from "wurth"

[Nick W]

Sorry I meant "Innotec". I have loads here I'll never use, so send me your address .

Nick

[Bitsilly]

Why does anyone do a project like this?

For me it's because you get lots of goodies in the post! And not just socks like at Christmas!