72 Morris Mini

[supersingle]

I bought one!

It's not very standard with a 1380cc Metro engine on a single carb and adjustable suspension (apparently set at random). It's tax exempt which is what I was after.

Here it is as it was when I got it.



The wheels and arches have now gone. I had to buy some smaller brakes as it had 4 piston Metro calipers. I know some like the big wheels but they made for a horrible bouncy ride. I've gone for some 10", 4.5" wide rims with skinny 145 tyres. Should be easier to steer at least!





The car is pretty clean with just a little rust to fix and the wings have been chopped about to fit the big wheels. All easily repairable I hope. Next to go are the bucket seats (they'll fit in my 205) I'm going to fit some nice period vinyl cub seats without headrests.

The engine is good although there's no top end at the moment. Suspect the mechanical fuel pump may be the culprit.

Hope you like it!

[Egg Chaser]

Is this the same car that was for sale on eBay a couple of weeks ago? Seller was located around Wigston if I remember correctly. I was watching it quite closely myself.

Looks like a very nice example.

[mybrainhurts]

I had a Cooper when that was made, same colours, CRB190G.

My first car, bought one year from new. Wish I still had it.

[supersingle]

That's the one. I was pretty lucky with the bidding although my wallet has taken a hammering since I got the car home. Once it's done though it should provide good cheap fun. The only fixed cost is £180 a year for the insurance.

[supersingle]

mybrainhurts said:

I had a Cooper when that was made, same colours, CRB190G.

My first car, bought one year from new. Wish I still had it.

That must make you... flippin' ancient!!!

sorry

[Egg Chaser]

It would've cost me at least 10 times that much to insure it, so it's probably best that I didn't go for it! I've also just recognised where the last picture was taken, so if you see someone drooling over your Mini, it could well be me.

[mybrainhurts]

supersingle said:

mybrainhurts said:

I had a Cooper when that was made, same colours, CRB190G.

My first car, bought one year from new. Wish I still had it.

That must make you... flippin' ancient!!!

sorry

Sir, I am a Big Noise in the Old Farts Club...

[mybrainhurts]

By the way, those little brakes will quickly fade away to nothing and produce huge clouds of smoke...

A steep hill with a T junction at the bottom will be, errrr, interesting.

I know these things...

[mybrainhurts]

By the way (2)...

Are those doors authentic? Mine had sliding windows, not wind-ups, and those mirrors certainly weren't available in the 1970s. The doors had outside hinges.

[supersingle]

I think the body has been chopped about a fair bit. Not surprising really for a 40 year old Mini.

As for the brakes, that's half the fun!

[supersingle]

Just checked in my book of facts and Minis got wind up windows and concealed door hinges in '69, as well as ditching hydro spastic suspension for solid rubber.

Maybe the doors are original?

[mybrainhurts]

Right...

But don't remember it being as close as that. Mine was a 69 on Hydrolastic.

I once cut through a Morris 1100 Hydrolastic pipe with an angle grinder. Not to be recommended, in case anyone's thinking of trying it..

Edit...

Didn't those doors appear on the Mini Clubman first...?

Edited by mybrainhurts on Tuesday 1st November 00:25

[Perd Hapley]

Wonderful car.

supersingle said:

The wheels and arches have now gone. I had to buy some smaller brakes as it had 4 piston Metro calipers. I know some like the big wheels but they made for a horrible bouncy ride. I've gone for some 10", 4.5" wide rims with skinny 145 tyres. Should be easier to steer at least!

Good choice.

[natben]

Is the Peugeot for sale for £111. Is that what it says on the back window!!

[stevieturbo]

natben said:

Is the Peugeot for sale for £111. Is that what it says on the back window!!

LOL

Santa Pod race number

[vrooom]

awesome. i had 10" wheels, made it more fun and gripped well as 13"

[supersingle]

stevieturbo said:

LOL

Santa Pod race number

Slowest car there!

[Downton Mini]

mybrainhurts said:

Right...

But don't remember it being as close as that. Mine was a 69 on Hydrolastic.

I once cut through a Morris 1100 Hydrolastic pipe with an angle grinder. Not to be recommended, in case anyone's thinking of trying it..

Edit...

Didn't those doors appear on the Mini Clubman first...?

Edited by mybrainhurts on Tuesday 1st November 00:25

Yes it was late 69 My MKII was registered on 03/09/1969 and has hydrolastic and sliding windows and I love it

[Maty]

Saw the furst picture and thought wow that looks good for a 39 year old Mini, the wheels and arches really set it off......then you took em for and replaced them with those tiny things!

I know what you mean about the handling though, I had a 92 Cooper RSP with the 13's, parking was fun but it just looked perfect with the wider stance. How do you find the handling now with the tiny wheels and the 1380??

[anonymous-user]

What is with everyone buying Minis for the winter?

Lovely car though, however I say that about most Minis! Can't wait for more updates