1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

[66S]

Hi Ronie,
Looking swell !! In days of old, I used to get a nice clean outer edge on the whitewalls by nailing two nails into a stick. One for the centre of the axle and one to scribe a line on the tyre as I rotated it. I would then apply the paint and then do it again to clean up the outer edge. You might find this idea helpful.

Al

[ronie]

Good news and bad news.

Good news. I put a battery in and most electrical stuff is working as it should. The switches operate the corresponding functions, and the lights on the dash light up!!!

Bad news. After a little while, operating the lights, wipers and dash lights, I saw a little smoke coming from under the dash. The wipers have a very feeble slow movement, and I have still not finished with the horn and indicators.

[ronie]

It's alive!!!

Of course it was not plain sailing. After sorting the fuel pump earth, we noticed a slight leak on the outlet of the pump. We switched both inlet and outlet "cones" from a second pump I had.

Then the car started but was running rough. Cylinders 2and 3 were not firing. We tried different spark plugs and another coil. Nothing. In the end it was my incompetence that was the problem. I had connected the HT leads the wrong way round! After sorting them the engine ran beautifully, purring silently and starting on the button.

http://youtu.be/vlf-qGNVh3Y

We tried different spark plugs and another coil. Nothing. In the end it was my incompetence that was the problem. I had connected the HT leads the wrong way round! After sorting them the engine ran beautifully, purring silently and starting on the button.

[Romag]

Fantastic!

Congratulations!

Cheers, Glen

[Frogeye61]

I second that.
And it seems to be running on all four in the second video. Common problem that is, switching the center plug wires

[InimiaD]

It lives and breathes again. Congratulations.

Will we have the pleasure of seeing the car in the flesh in the UK.?

[JC T ONE]

Nice bet you were happy about that well done.

[ronie]

It lives and breathes again. Congratulations.

Will we have the pleasure of seeing the car in the flesh in the UK.?

UK is quite far from Greece. I would like to bring the car over and go to shows. Maybe in 1 or 2 years.

I will probably attend the IMM next year in Italy.

[ronie]

Great work, and a very special car. I hope you've fitted that sun visor I sent you!

Its the one on the left. Thank you.

[ronie]

I had almost forgotten about the stainless trim around the roof. Today I fitted one side.

Its two parts to each side and they are held in place by some tiny metal clips. I managed to save most of them when I was dismantling the car. I bought different clips for BMC cars, but none matched the ones I had.

Two of the trim pieces had been bent when the car was lifted to the tow truck on the way to the scrap yard. They actually put a belt around the roof and lifted the car with a hook. Idiots.

Its not perfectly straight but from 2-3 meters its fine.





A friend is manufacturing a replica of the rear bumper from sheet metal. Its going well. The straight bit is done and only the corners are left.

[ricardo]

Good work John! Time to pimp my prototype beach car

[guru_1071]

ronnie


have a look at the bresco site, they do just about every clip going!!!


http://www.bresco.com/

[ronie]

Well, the baby, the DS and other minor projects kept me away from the Beach Car.
I decided to take the car to a Mini specialist and let him finish the 5% that is left to be done.
Basically he will bleed the clutch and brakes, adjust the carb and everything else, and make the car safe to drive away from there.







The car looks very different in the bright sunshine compared to my dark garage. It looks much better. I can't wait to finish it and make a nice photo shoot by the sea.

The void left in my garage is impressive. The Safari is next up on the lift.

[NotNormal]

Looks amazing "out in the wild". Congrats on all your work so far, looking forward to seeing pics of it in its natural habitat by the beach

[ORX7F]

John, I am Paul in Italy, hope you will make it to the IMM in Italy next year!!! Your car is simply SUPER!!!

[ronie]

Success.

Drove the beach Car the first time since I bought it. First time in a magic wand 850 with floor start. The steering felt incredibly light after my semi-slick shod 1275 saloon. I drove it at 55 mph down a motorway without a windscreen.

I parked it at my garage. It felt great!!!!

There are still quite a few things to be sorted.

[InimiaD]

It must have been an awesome experience for you, windscreen or no windscreen.

All that hard work has just about reached fruition. You should be justifiably proud of your achievement.
Very well done.

[999 ORX]

I second that, your one lucky chap owning this beaut! but it's totally deserved as good grief you have you done it justice!

[clm]

You realize, you are going to be a mini enthusiast 'must visit' location when they visit Greece? I would love to see that car in person, it is beautiful.

Chris

[reymondos]

Well, needless to say you are all welcome to visit.

There is nothing I like more than going for drives with classic cars and chating with like minded people.