My 1st Mini

Author
Discussion

custardtart

Original Poster:

1,726 posts

254 months

Thursday 24th February 2005
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Hi all,
Just got my first mini and she's great.
I think the ride might take a little getting used to on the road but she should be terrific fun on a track when the weather improves.

I'm not an afficianado, just an enthusiast but it looks like the car has had an official John Cooper 998cc twin carb conversion and also has camber adjustable rear suspension.

It's also running adjustable Gaz shocks and stiffish springs but I don't yet know what poundage.

Amongst the file of paperwork is a printout from a rolling road session last year showing 54bhp but at the moment needs a little tinkering as she overuns a little when switching off.

She really is immaculate inside and out, no rust at all and although she's the smallest car I've ever owned I reckon she could be the most fun.






>>> Edited by custardtart on Thursday 24th February 17:00

>>> Edited by custardtart on Thursday 24th February 17:02

miniman

25,069 posts

263 months

Thursday 24th February 2005
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custardtart

Original Poster:

1,726 posts

254 months

Thursday 24th February 2005
quotequote all
Thinking of taking it to a Hullavington track day on the 22nd April, I've never been there before so if anyone has a view on it that would be appreciated.

Plotloss

67,280 posts

271 months

Thursday 24th February 2005
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Smart!

If its got Gaz coil overs you'll have a lot of fun with them. I have them on mine and the improvement over rubber cones is splendid.

rougeleo

213 posts

239 months

Thursday 24th February 2005
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Hi

Have seen that Flame before and it is a nice example , well done . Was tempted when it was on Ebay.

Rog

miniman

25,069 posts

263 months

Thursday 24th February 2005
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custardtart said:
Thinking of taking it to a Hullavington track day on the 22nd April, I've never been there before so if anyone has a view on it that would be appreciated.
Never driven there but it's 10 minutes from home so I might pop along... what are the details (cost, contacts etc.)???

custardtart

Original Poster:

1,726 posts

254 months

Thursday 24th February 2005
quotequote all
It's run by www.motorsport-events.com and costs £100. The do the days at Keevil as well which isn't too far from you either.

I thought Hullavington might be ideal for a car like a mini rather than a big power circuit.

If you plan to go then you're welcome for a passenger ride.

love machine

7,609 posts

236 months

Friday 25th February 2005
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Yeeeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! Now you're motoring!!!!!!

custardtart

Original Poster:

1,726 posts

254 months

Saturday 26th February 2005
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Indeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed!!!!!!!!!

Just off for a sunny drive to Dover and Leeds Castle , can't wait.

guru_1071

2,768 posts

235 months

Saturday 26th February 2005
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thats a clean and tidy litle beast!

nice find!

vrooom

3,763 posts

268 months

Saturday 26th February 2005
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Nice mini. Have fun!

tim williams

36 posts

250 months

Saturday 26th February 2005
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Sweet car.

Leeds Castle sounds like you're local to me if you want a decent mini club to join try the Southern Mini Owners Club - www.smoc.co.uk

custardtart

Original Poster:

1,726 posts

254 months

Sunday 27th February 2005
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Thanks for the nice comments everyone. We took her on a 200 mile drive yesterday from where I live in Brighton to Leeds Castle and back via Dover and Beachy Head.
The car was sooo much fun it made me realise just how dull modern cars have become. We did have to call out the AA to fix the closed points on the Lucas distributor,but we still had big smiles on our faces at the end of a long day. Need to put together an emergency tool kit though.
It was also great to be part of the mini family, you lot are so friendly, waving and flashing lights at each other - particulary the cream one with a Brighton Mini Owners sticker in the back window.
Spent a few hours this afternoon sorting out a few squeeks but looking forward to our next adventure.

PS. Does anyone good places for mini spares and accessories in the Brighton area.

egoboss

838 posts

231 months

Sunday 27th February 2005
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custardtart said:
Hi all,
Just got my first mini and she's great.
I think the ride might take a little getting used to on the road but she should be terrific fun on a track when the weather improves.


looks a fun car. i really miss my old mini - was a very early one, sliding windows, string for door handle, start button on floor, jumpers for goalposts - oops getting carried away there!

test drove the new mini last summer - was a tad disappointed, frankly. whilst it looks funky like the original mini, it lacks something. mind you a friend has a tweaked cooper-s in montana, approx 200bhp(!) - he took me for a blast up in the hills a few months back when i was there - it made a great job of embarrassing an aggressively driven dodge viper!

i'd love an early mini, sliding windows, finished in pea green. tuned, though. would be a great wolf in sheep's clothing.

enjoy!

love machine

7,609 posts

236 months

Sunday 27th February 2005
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egoboss said:



I'd love an early mini, sliding windows, finished in pea green. tuned, though. would be a great wolf in sheep's clothing.

enjoy!


My 66 one is properly hairy, you cannot beat a tuned Mk1 mini, they seem lighter and tighter than the later ones (out of the box).

If you're interested in getting a pea green mini 1960 mini (ex-racecar), give me a shout, my mate has one which he might be persuaded to sell. The floors/sills have never been welded and the underside looks very odd (the way it left the factory). It's an ex-racecar and it shows. Would probably make the ultimate ropey runaround with a silly engine. I would have it, but I've got 2.

egoboss

838 posts

231 months

Sunday 27th February 2005
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love machine said:

If you're interested in getting a pea green mini 1960 mini (ex-racecar), give me a shout, my mate has one which he might be persuaded to sell. The floors/sills have never been welded and the underside looks very odd (the way it left the factory). It's an ex-racecar and it shows. Would probably make the ultimate ropey runaround with a silly engine. I would have it, but I've got 2.


eeeek, that sounds tempting. is it road legal? any pics? carl@egoboss.com - ta!

cone

471 posts

236 months

Monday 28th February 2005
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love machine said:

egoboss said:



I'd love an early mini, sliding windows, finished in pea green. tuned, though. would be a great wolf in sheep's clothing.

enjoy!



My 66 one is properly hairy, you cannot beat a tuned Mk1 mini, they seem lighter and tighter than the later ones (out of the box).

If you're interested in getting a pea green mini 1960 mini (ex-racecar), give me a shout, my mate has one which he might be persuaded to sell. The floors/sills have never been welded and the underside looks very odd (the way it left the factory). It's an ex-racecar and it shows. Would probably make the ultimate ropey runaround with a silly engine. I would have it, but I've got 2.

Pea green ? do you mean fiesta yellow ? id be interested in pics if poss thinking of painting one that colour but looks like it should be on the exosist !

guru_1071

2,768 posts

235 months

Monday 28th February 2005
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surf blue / OEW roof

now THAT is the colour a mk1 mini should be painted

IMHO

MR2Mike

20,143 posts

256 months

Monday 28th February 2005
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custardtart said:
We did have to call out the AA to fix the closed points on the Lucas distributor,but we still had big smiles on our faces at the end of a long day.


I'm surprised they still had points on a G plated car! I would recommend your first upgrade be some form of electronic igntion, the Aldon Ignitor is a very neat little unit that fits entirely inside the distributor.

love machine

7,609 posts

236 months

Monday 28th February 2005
quotequote all
guru_1071 said:
surf blue / OEW roof

now THAT is the colour a mk1 mini should be painted

IMHO


My first one was a 64 Morris Deluxe. Surf Blue.

The 60 racer has been resprayed pea green, a real clubby colour. It is foul but the car is OEW underneath. It has a the running gear from a 64 850 as the guy kept all the best bits, I will take a photo as and when and post it here.

My 66 is Island Blue/OEW and my 67 Tartan Red/Black, I do like tweed grey though.