New '61 MkI Mini

[dinglem]

Hi all,

Just a quick note to introduce myself. I have just purchased a '61 850 Austin Seven which i intend giving to my wife-to-be as a wedding gift next summer. The car seems very solid and original, but i am going to give it the once-over prior to presenting it to her, but will also be leaving her plenty to do on it to make the car her own. It came with the original engine and gearbox, and a 7 day old MOT!

I am not too sure how standard to keep the car, as it seems a shame to modify it in any way being so early and original. I do like the look of early Mini's with group 2 arches and 10x6 inch wheels though and do happen to have several sets of JAP wheels of various sizes and widths in my garage

The interior is standard and complete apart from one piece of material covering the back drivers side wheel arch (in the corner of the rear seat). The seats are red with a kind of grey and white fine striped pattern... not really sure how to describe it! The piece missing is the white and grey flecked material. It may be a long shot but would anybody have a piece of this material available by any chance?

My partner is a huge Mini fan, so i am sure she is going to love this surprise gift. I drive and restore Imps as a hobby so a Mini is going to make a lovely addition to the garage

Cheers Martin.

[miniminor]

Lovely gift idea, I'm sure she'll love it. Stick some pictures on here. Please dont modify it.

[JC T ONE]

Hi Martin,

welcome inhere lets see some pictures of the car.

Also your Imp,s I have a friend who is almost finished building one for Historic race.



Jens Christian

[dinglem]

Here are a few photo's, as requested. Many thanks for the welcome onto this forum

Should this car have the 'extensions' at the side of the moustache grille, and also the small towel-rail bars at the ends of the bumpers?

[dinglem]

A few more Imp piccies....

[miniminor]

Lovely tidy looking mini, hope your wife to be is not browsing on here
The car should have the moustache "hockey sticks" at each end of the grille trim. I think that its too early to have had "corner bars" on the over riders but they look great and many cars have had them fitted retrospectively, unless you want total originality?
Keep us up to date with progress.

Gav

[dinglem]

Hi Gav,

Thanks for the reply. Yes, i did think the same thing about her looking on here(!), but i am chancing it in order to gain some advice and benefit from all of your experience. Hopefully she won't stumble across this thread....

Thanks for the information regarding the moustache ends. My next question would be is there anywhere I can source an original set of these, and also the corner bumper bars? I assume there are repro items available but I would much prefer to use originals.

Thanks!

[JC T ONE]

is there anywhere I can source an original set of these, and also the corner bumper bars?

I assume there are repro items available but I would much prefer to use originals.

Thanks!

Regarding NOS Mini spares, welcome to the world of madness

Browse this thread for info = viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1946&start=400

Your cars look very nice never seen a Imp van before, very cool.

The Jap wheels will be hard on your Mini,s std bearings.

Std Mini bearings dont like wide wheels, as they are only ball bearings.

The S,s used tapered roller bearings for strength.

Jens Christian

[Gray]

Don't do the arches, it will ruin it, a set of rosepetals will work with no arches if you need to change to alloys.

[miniminor]

Decent original parts appear on ebay but can command some silly prices at times. Try Somerford for the grille trim pieces, they sell these along with the spring retaining clips which pop rivet on, Moss do good quality stainless bumpers, corner bar and over rider kits.
They just look so cute with the corner bars.

Gav

29022012404.jpg

[dinglem]

Thanks for the opinions and pointers on where to start looking for bits and pieces. I will keep you posted with my progress on this. If anybody knows of the material i need for the rear wheel arch cover then please let me know!!!

[814CWE]

hard to tell from the pics if its speedwell blue or smoke grey

sent u message about trim-let me know how u get on

[dinglem]

Heritage Certificate says 'Farina Grey' but it looks more pale blue to me.

[814CWE]

looks like smoke grey to me

[steve1071]

Lovely Mini and a very nice Imp. A pal of mine had a very similar imp 25 years ago! Is that kingfisher blue?

[dinglem]

It's turquoise metallic, the original colour it came in. It was purchased by my grandparents from new and I was given it as a 17th birthday present... 21 years ago! It's had a fair bit of work and attention during that time(!) and now runs an Andy Chesman 998cc on twin 40's.

[850 super deluxe]

Hi Dinglem, Stunning Imps you have there i love the van to, ive seen you driving the blue imp around burntwood as i only live around the corner, i have a mk3 bronze yellow mini you might of seen it. Im in the process of rebuilding a 1962 morris super.

[foxy52]

Hi Gav,

Thanks for the reply. Yes, i did think the same thing about her looking on here(!), but i am chancing it in order to gain some advice and benefit from all of your experience. Hopefully she won't stumble across this thread....

Thanks for the information regarding the moustache ends. My next question would be is there anywhere I can source an original set of these, and also the corner bumper bars? I assume there are repro items available but I would much prefer to use originals.

Thanks!

...great pics,can u jus refresh my memory ?, what was the diff between a hillman imp and a sunbeam californian ?? i gather the sunbeam stiletto variant was the performance version that evolved in latter years of imp production...or was it just a fast back evolving from orig designs with a bigger engine... cracking looking stiletto mind !!!....my mates aunt had one when we were teens ,drove out in it a few times some 40+ years ago lol .....i never used to take much interest in imps....... foxy52

[dinglem]

Hi Dinglem, Stunning Imps you have there i love the van to, ive seen you driving the blue imp around burntwood as i only live around the corner, i have a mk3 bronze yellow mini you might of seen it. Im in the process of rebuilding a 1962 morris super.

Yes, that's me. We're on Norton Lane. Where are you roughly? I actually use the ImpWerks Van more than the Stiletto so i'm surprised you haven't seen me out in that.

The Mini project is still top secret but will be handed over in July (wedding day) so you'll see that out and about from then too It's been in to a Mini specialist for a tidy up and I am actually expecting some photo's through anytime now (am away working). Exciting. They actually said it was by far the most solid Mk1 they had ever had in, so that was good to hear; at least i haven't bought a lemon!

I have also bought some interior door cards/panels/dash liner/rear bin liners from Newton Commercial and will be returning the dash pod/speedo to the cream Mk1 version. NOS badges and a pair of original door pulls. I have had a lot of help and advice via PM's from members of this forum whilst sourcing the parts required so many thanks to all for that.

Hopefully it should be looking good

Not seen your Mini yet but it's great to know there is somebody on this forum who is so close to us! I'll keep an eye out for your car from now on.... how's the '62 rebuild going? Is there a local Mini club/Meeting in our area that you know of?

[dinglem]

Hi Gav,

Thanks for the reply. Yes, i did think the same thing about her looking on here(!), but i am chancing it in order to gain some advice and benefit from all of your experience. Hopefully she won't stumble across this thread....

Thanks for the information regarding the moustache ends. My next question would be is there anywhere I can source an original set of these, and also the corner bumper bars? I assume there are repro items available but I would much prefer to use originals.

Thanks!

...great pics,can u jus refresh my memory ?, what was the diff between a hillman imp and a sunbeam californian ?? i gather the sunbeam stiletto variant was the performance version that evolved in latter years of imp production...or was it just a fast back evolving from orig designs with a bigger engine... cracking looking stiletto mind !!!....my mates aunt had one when we were teens ,drove out in it a few times some 40+ years ago lol .....i never used to take much interest in imps....... foxy52

Hillman variants were the basic standard engined models, Singers were supposedly more luxurious and the Sunbeam variants were more sport-oriented.

The Californian was a Hillman version but had the new coupe body, but single headlights.

Subsequently the Stiletto came out as the top of the range, being a combination of the coupe bodyshell and the sport-spec engine, and also had twin headlights. To confuse matters they also brought out a coupe version called the Singer Chamois Sport which also had the coupe shell and the option of twin headlights, but a much different trim specification.

The sport spec engine was only a 16bhp leap back then, but had a much greater scope for tuning - particularly the sport-spec head which is now relatively sought after today. Twin carbs, sport cam and so on as standard.

Most surviving Imps today have some sort of engine mods as they are so easy to tune and initial bhp increases are easy to attain with bolt on goodies. They were de-tuned for public use at the time. Once you're up around the 100bhp mark and going up from 875 to 998cc however, things start getting a little more expensive.

They are much overlooked, which is why i like them