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jac.pt wrote:Any news?

It has been a while, hasn't it!

Not a huge amount to report. Got married in April which took up most of the available funds so haven't had it on track, unfortunately! Have managed, however, to make some small improvements over the last few months as well as bringing the car to a few shows.

I managed to pick up a set of used Koni FIA front dampers, a Maniflow stage 3 RCM exhaust system, new competition cones plus a few other small bits and pieces too. Just got the car back from the rolling road and the exhaust alone has made a HUGE improvement to the power figures throughout the rev range. Have the car booked in for a test day in Mondello in October so can't wait to get it back out. Previous fuelling issue seems sorted now too

I actually have the complete engine for sale at the moment as I'm contemplating doing a complete resto on the body which has had some very poor repairs over the years. Will also give me the motivation to build an FIA motor!

Love this build! nice to see its still developing.

any price on the engine ?

Finally got some decent track time last Friday. Had a blast!

The lap times were good and can't wait to get out again now!

Been trying to get as much track time in over the last while as possible, so was out again on Saturday in very poor conditions!

Learned a lot about set up though so was a productive day. Also met with Conor O'Brien, who was out in his lovely '66 Cooper S, and Richie Redmond who had his '62 car out with a very similarly specced 1480 to mine.











Will be back out again this Friday and will hopefully have some in car footage to share.

Neil, what's the craic with these, are they open track days, classic only or what? Mondello couple of hours from me.

Sent you a PM!

Been using the car as much as possible over the last few months bringing it to IMM, doing track days and also entered the car into the Mondello Historic Festival in July.

I decided to stick with the 1480 and also fitted a new dog box while I was at it!













With winter coming fast and my funds tied up with other things, however, I've decided that the 1480 will probably be put up for sale soon and the car will be getting a little bodywork tlc before being put back on the road for a couple of years.

This was a big decision, but before I go the full FIA route I'd like to enjoy using the car as much as possible and then completely restore the shell and build it back up properly. I also have an option to race another Mini that Paul Hickey and I will be working on which will be very interesting! Once the car is done I will then turn to the Mk2 project I have and keep it as a full time road car.

The plan with the shell for now is to replace both sills and the rear valance, and get some bubbling on the scuttle fixed as well as paint the front end. Paul Hickey will be building me a fast road 1275/1293 using an A-series block, 1805 head, remote box and H4 carbs that I already have. I will also be replacing the full interior and changing the suspension set up. Aiming for the Cafe Racer look!









Will update as much as I can over the coming months!

Here's a quick video from the Mondello Historic Festival before a broken alternator caused havoc!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcGu26z6t10&t=91s

What a fantastic journey this car has been on in the last 7 years !

Yes it's constantly changing and evolving!

The eventual goal over the coming years is to completely restore it with fresh panels and cage from Endaf (along with another colour change) and build it as a no compromise FIA car.

I would be very interested in the 1480 if it becomes available.

Red Mist wrote: build it as a no compromise FIA car.

I hope you have deep pockets.......

the words 'budget' 'FIA' and 'no compromises' just don't go in one sentence, not unless it has 'I wish I could' at the front of it!

You're dead right Rich!

Not expecting it to be cheap. Hence it's a long term goal! May end up going for Class D though so will see how it goes.