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Purists look away now

I've just uploaded some additional pictures of the above car. It has been virtually finished since September but have been so busy I've not really taken the time to photograph it.

My partner has a Mini City automatic, perfect for her requirements, mechanically sound but rotten as a pear.

With no enthusiasm to repair it I did agree to build a "modern classic" i.e. early car but modified for ease of use in today's circumstances and to her particular needs.

This is the link to the set....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_youle ... 973233310/

Or individual photos and spec...

We started with very good and original 24000 mile Morris Mini Minor which had 6 rib sills fitted and a front wing replacement, I think as an accident repair. The shell was an early one piece side panel build and M-Machine made us some replacement flat sills. As we couldn't replace the "A" panels, repairs were carried out very skillfully by Caburn Classic's preferred painter, Barry the Brush who re-painted the engine bay and exterior.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_youle ... 973233310/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_youle ... 973233310/

I fitted a white faced Austin speedometer to replace the faulty original for no other reason than we liked the look of it. The heater is quite efficient, the original wiper switch operating the heater blower. I managed to find on eBay some ultra rare NOS operating cables. Fortunately the BMC packaging was missing so it saved me £1000.00 no doubt.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_youle ... 973233310/

We have a separate switch panel to take care of the heated front and rear screens to ensure efficient de-misting plus a period looking rear fog lamp. The "modern" steering column means no leaning forward to operate wipers and electric screen washers and indicators are now on the left. Original floor starter is retained.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_youle ... 973233310/

The two small lights in the centre instrument binnacle illuminate with the two "B" pillar mounted interior lights operated by the door micro switches or over-ridden by the original panel light switch. A very good micro wave type security alarm is also fitted.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_youle ... 973233310/

Engine is a very well looked after, also 24000 mile unit with documented oil changes every 2000 miles, drives like a sewing machine and so quiet.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_youle ... 973233310/

As I say, not for the purists but it makes a Mk1 Mini much easier to live with on a daily basis and you know, the auto is very good in use when you stir it along with the taller levered earlier changer.

PS: If anyone can supply me with the left hand fleck trim dash panel to replace the only poor trim panel please PM me.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_youle ... 3973233310

very generous of you to offer me the number plate for my GTM mike!!!!

I think that looks great. Real nice blend of new and lots of old. Would you mind letting me know the colour please? Cheers. Mark
PS I must say the people on this forum really show great spirit donating number plates to one another. In the same spirit I have a rebuilt Allegro 1300 engine that could do with a lightweight shell wrapped round it . I wondered if Guru might fancy donating the GTM to me (once you have completed the plate transfer for completeness!)
X

Great car, what is the pod for the two gauges from ?

mmm850 wrote:Great car, what is the pod for the two gauges from ?

Genuine BMC Mini accessorie, from the 60ies part no AKF 1509,

shown in the BMC catalouge, as De Luxe panel.

Jens Christian


PS very nice car, and as already mentioned, a good blend, of old&new.

Hi Mark (Rolesyboy) colour is Surf Blue

rolesyboy wrote:I think that looks great. Real nice blend of new and lots of old. Would you mind letting me know the colour please? Cheers. Mark
PS I must say the people on this forum really show great spirit donating number plates to one another. In the same spirit I have a rebuilt Allegro 1300 engine that could do with a lightweight shell wrapped round it . I wondered if Guru might fancy donating the GTM to me (once you have completed the plate transfer for completeness!)
X

mark

it would be a pleasure to allow you to offer me a straight swop - my gtm for your cooper s - thats the spirit!!!

Rich,

Maybe you could ask Steve Parrish the ex-motorcycle racer and current commentator to donate his very famous and quite fitting registration plate......

PEN 1S

Great car this Mike, superb job and as for 'the purists', well the engine's in the right end so not too contraversial ! I remember trying to land this car for my sprinter project, lucky escape really !

Pete,

You know how some cars just drive absolutely right, well this is one of them.

I followed the Veteran Car Run in it yesterday and it was such a pleasure. The auto perfect in the heavy traffic and even the standard driving position was fine for the hours I spent in the car.

Really relaxing.

Mike wrote:Rich,

Maybe you could ask Steve Parrish the ex-motorcycle racer and current commentator to donate his very famous and quite fitting registration plate......

PEN 1S

i prefer the local plate that used to be on a viva in the local town

'GAG 1N'

nice car Mike, I used to drive a 1968 Deluxe automatic, and love it, especially in traffic jam.

Could you tell me what are these brake calipers ?

Hi Mike,
Very nice car, pretty much the set-up my wife is trying me to build up for her !!!!

I also have the same question as Alex regarding your calipers, I have sent you a mail sometime ago ...

Cheers, Etienne

Cracking wee motor. Like you say not one for the purists, but I love it. Kind of what I had in mind when I was restoring my Traveller. I was wanting something more suited to regular use and being able to sit with the modern motorway traffic and so on. I'm running a full 1984 Mini City running gear including front wiring loom to make use of the Mk3 switchgear and steering column with steering lock and so on.

Very interesting read and some fantastic attention to detail.

My apologies if I've not responded to any e-mails, my system is not always the most reliable.

The calipers are Girling alloy and used on Formula Fords rear brakes in addition to many other applications.

They may be the calipers being referred to on Littlr's thread concerning alloy calipers and whilst they fit the hub carriers, they use Cooper, not Cooper S size pads.

I had them lying around so as one does, thought I'd better build a car so I could use them. As it turns out there are wheel clearance issues with them so I reverted to standard 998cc calipers.

Hope that answers any outstanding questions.

Thanks Mike,
that is interesting !

Very nice, saw one just like that recently near me 'down south', cracking little motor.

Ian

I am down south so could be the one you saw.

Very nice indeed and sensibly modded for everyday use.

Thanks for your answer Mike. Lovely car...