1982 Classic Mini - Z Cars VTEC

[remkingston]

GC8 said:

Thanks. Pop-riveted without any washers behind and this doesnt damage the mouldings? Also, do you find that it is completely water tight like this?

No damage to be honest.

I don't take it out in the wet due to it being a handful as well as my rear window consisting of just holes

[GC8]

Good point!

I used adhesive on mine last time but they werent ever quite right. I will try pop-rivets instead, thank you.

[remkingston]

GC8 said:

Good point!

I used adhesive on mine last time but they werent ever quite right. I will try pop-rivets instead, thank you.

Really good places for advice & help:
http://www.16vminiclub.com/forums/
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/forum/89-z-ca...

[remkingston]

Out with a pal yesterday to Burnham-on-Crouch for some snaps:

[Simon182]

Dear god I need one of these in my life lol I bet it shifts and upsets a fair amount of cars!

[remkingston]

Simon182 said:

Dear god I need one of these in my life lol I bet it shifts and upsets a fair amount of cars!

Upset isn't the right word. I'd say it surprises people and the majority wear a smile on their faces

[GC8]

remkingston said:

Out with a pal yesterday to Burnham-on-Crouch for some snaps:

I had a Clubman and hated how it looked, but oddly, I think that I prefer it now.

How are you going to make it handle? I presume that everything is adjustable and that you have to work it out for yourself?

[remkingston]

GC8 said:

remkingston said:

Out with a pal yesterday to Burnham-on-Crouch for some snaps:

I had a Clubman and hated how it looked, but oddly, I think that I prefer it now.

How are you going to make it handle? I presume that everything is adjustable and that you have to work it out for yourself?

The Clubmans have a right character to them and are really starting to increase in value. Find an original Clubman Van in good condition and you'll be laughing in years with the investment!

Handling wise the car is fine on the road. The track issue was due to a bearing problem. That has now been replaced.

Currently, I'm looking into uprating anything using Mini parts as well as getting her ready for the Winter storage.

[remkingston]

We have put deposits down to do a 3000 mile rally next Summer across Europe including a day at the Top Gear test track and the Nurburgring.

In order for the car to be any close to being practical, we have a lot of work that needs to be completed before the Spring.

Bigger fuel cell
Re-enforced re-designed exhaust mountings
Sound deadening
Roll cage mounting improvements (early Z Car kits we've found have resulted in twisted shells and door gaps!)
New windscreen (MOT related)
CV gaiter changes
Gear Linkage improvements
Dashboard updates - Software and tweaks to UI.
Sunvisors - It should be sunny!

Last few pictures before going away:







Here she is at her Winter home:


We'll be taking part with a friends Classic Mini Pick-up with a Vauxhal 2 litre twin turbo RWD conversion too!

Very exciting! Watch this space!

Edited by remkingston on Friday 20th December 14:43

[remkingston]

I thought I'd fire an update onto here


We bailed on taking part with the rally due a loss of confidence with the company running it and glad we did with hind sight!

In the interim time the mini has had a colour change and is in the process of receiving an engine rebuild before some final finishing touches.


I usually keep here a bit more up to date:
http://remkingston.co.uk/topics/cars/the-mini/


Just waiting on a new clutch (whilst the engine is out why not!) and then its back on the road and time to give the GoPro something worth filming

[selym]

That's a pretty nutty car. What is it like, reliability wise? (Tell me it's terrible, for the sake of my wallet!)

[motor mad]

I hope you weren't charged for a new cam belt as part of the engine rebuild? I saw a mention of that in the link you posted. The K20 is chain driven, so unless the chain is stretched it shouldn't need replacing.

I bet this is a lot of fun.

[remkingston]

It is reliable but I can't say cheap to run.

This is mostly down to the addictivness of driving her and the amount of petrol used in a weekend!

After petrol, the next cost is tyres.

Insurance is cheaper than my Mondeo due to a limited mileage policy with everything declared.



Cheers for the heads up on the chain, I will enquire but the chaps doing the work have been really good so far so it must be a mistake of mine hearing the wrong thing!

[dom9]

Fantastic - always loved these!

Interested to know how civilised you could make one for day-to-day driving (all weathers etc)...

I saw a Mini with a mid-engine Alfa Flat-4 conversion once and that seemed to make a lot of sense as a package!

[remkingston]

dom9 said:

Fantastic - always loved these!

Interested to know how civilised you could make one for day-to-day driving (all weathers etc)...

I saw a Mini with a mid-engine Alfa Flat-4 conversion once and that seemed to make a lot of sense as a package!

I've been using it as a daily driver earlier in the year and other than the noise and popping she is absolutely fine for journeying around in. After all it is just a back to front civic with some extra poke bolted to a space frame sporting a mini shell over the top.

However, it isn't a suit friendly affair!

[remkingston]

More parts arrived today.

We now have a new stage 1 clutch and some trim bits and pieces.


Pics and stuff here chaps:
http://remkingston.co.uk/cars/rebuild-update-clutc...

[dom9]

remkingston said:

I've been using it as a daily driver earlier in the year and other than the noise and popping she is absolutely fine for journeying around in. After all it is just a back to front civic with some extra poke bolted to a space frame sporting a mini shell over the top.

However, it isn't a suit friendly affair!

I was wondering about the insulation aspects at the rear (heat and noise) and whether you felt any 'difference' with the engine in the back...

Sounds like teh answer is 'no', pretty much

[remkingston]

Respray details:

http://remkingston.co.uk/cars/the-mini/respraying-...

[remkingston]

Edging closer and closer to being back on the road!

Here's an update:
http://remkingston.co.uk/cars/the-mini/punishr-upd...

I'm on my ipad so not sure how to get the photos on here :/

[remkingston]

Unfortunately I've had to order a new crankshaft as the one that was taken out during the rebuild is beyond repair.

This leaves me now waiting for the postman to arrive but more annoyingly is the added delay. This probably means no more silly mini banter until the new year