Classic Mini - Restoration

F1 Fan said:
Even if I upgrade the suspension, steering and brakes accordingly? What makes you say that?

Also the 1275 motor is around 40-50kw right? Apparently it maxes out at around 100km/h....

When you say maintained, what do you mean? Like your normal check oil etc?

Given that I don't know how to fix things myself, I would want it to be reliable.

Appreciate your comments....
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F1 Fan, reread what you wrote. Is this a Monday fancy?
 
F1 Fan said:
Ok, so let's assume we go with the 1275 motor (not fully sold on it yet)... For the rest of the car, suggestions for:

Brakes
Suspension
Steering (do I need to change it?)

Do you think I can get about 60-70 kw out of the 1275 motor?
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Try get disc brakes all around... that will make a significant difference...
Suspension maybe just uprate the shocks a bit and the springs... but the basic suspension should be fine..
Steering will be more than fine since the car is so tiny.. it will behave like a GoKart...

Do NOT modify the motor to get more power.. you will impact the reliability quite significantly.
 
F1 Fan said:
Apparently it's been hey...I called a company called Art Racing....that said...I didn't even know what that was...learning as I go basically...
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That's not a restoration, that's a shell on a chassis:

To squeeze the massive 3.2L J series into the trunk, BJ had to remove the rear seats while relining the fuel cell components to the front end of the car where the original 34hp engine once was. Though the transplant engine is in fact completely stock, a custom reverse operating shifter linked with the engine's six-speed transmission was developed to bring the RWD configuration to a reality--all while being safely mounted to a custom-built, fully-adjustable subframe running from head-to-toe.

Let's get one thing straight: this car was built to be driven, and built to hit the track. If the oversized six-cylinder engine didn't give it away, the simplistic, ready-to-race cockpit definitely ought to. With functionality in mind, the boys over at Mini Tec were able to remove all unnecessary interior components except for the obligatory restyled gauges and an extremely basic cooling system, all while still including some good old Honda flare.
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source http://www.superstreetonline.com/features/1306_1964_austin_mini_cooper/

... why not look for a TR, MG, or Healey to do up - far more practical.
 
ToxicBunny said:
Try get disc brakes all around... that will make a significant difference...
Suspension maybe just uprate the shocks a bit and the springs... but the basic suspension should be fine..
Steering will be more than fine since the car is so tiny.. it will behave like a GoKart...

Do NOT modify the motor to get more power.. you will impact the reliability quite significantly.
Click to expand...

Not even with side drafts or throttles(whatever that is)?

Do you know of brake discs that would fit that car? Without conversion?

Was thinking of replacing the suspension cause Ill prob get one with a really old worn out suspension. So wanted something new and sporty.

Do you perhaps know of places that would be able to build up a proper 1275 engine in CPT?

Exhaust...like a powerflow or something?
 
There are lots of options regarding different motors for minis. I know overseas you can buy a ready made subframe that bolts onto the mini that accepts a Honda vtec motor. I'm not sure if anything like that is locally available. You can also put a motorbike engine in the back and run it to the rear wheels. Some videos on YouTube of stupid fast minis with those mods. It'll all come down to how much money you wanna throw at it? The 1275 motor can be bored to 1460cc and with a new cam, carb and exhaust it'll be quick! Not sure about the other stuff but I seem to remember something about city golf disc brakes on the front for better braking, otherwise the 1275 gts came with disk brakes if you can find one.
 
F1 Fan said:
Not even with side drafts or throttles(whatever that is)?

Do you know of brake discs that would fit that car? Without conversion?

Was thinking of replacing the suspension cause Ill prob get one with a really old worn out suspension. So wanted something new and sporty.

Do you perhaps know of places that would be able to build up a proper 1275 engine in CPT?

Exhaust...like a powerflow or something?
Click to expand...

It sounds very much like you are going to be paying other people to do all this work..

If so, just stop, stop right now... the amount you spend will never ever be worth it, and I'm not referring to being able to sell the car afterwards.
 
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ToxicBunny said:
It sounds very much like you are going to be paying other people to do all this work..

If so, just stop, stop right now... the amount you spend will never ever be worth it, and I'm not referring to being able to sell the car afterwards.
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Definitely going to have to pay someone else... I don't know how to do any of this stuff....

But I've always wanted one... so thinking of just doing it....I wouldn't expect it to make sense financially...
 
F1 Fan said:
Definitely going to have to pay someone else... I don't know how to do any of this stuff....

But I've always wanted one... so thinking of just doing it....I wouldn't expect it to make sense financially...
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Dude.. with this car its not that it won't make sense financially..

We're talking taking what is a R30k (maybe R40k) car.. and probably dropping another R40k or R50k to do the kinda of things you're talking about.... it doesn't just not make sense, its feking stupid.
 
Cpc said:
There are lots of options regarding different motors for minis. I know overseas you can buy a ready made subframe that bolts onto the mini that accepts a Honda vtec motor. I'm not sure if anything like that is locally available. You can also put a motorbike engine in the back and run it to the rear wheels. Some videos on YouTube of stupid fast minis with those mods. It'll all come down to how much money you wanna throw at it? The 1275 motor can be bored to 1460cc and with a new cam, carb and exhaust it'll be quick! Not sure about the other stuff but I seem to remember something about city golf disc brakes on the front for better braking, otherwise the 1275 gts came with disk brakes if you can find one.
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Do you know what this will cost?
 
ToxicBunny said:
Dude.. with this car its not that it won't make sense financially..

We're talking taking what is a R30k (maybe R40k) car.. and probably dropping another R40k or R50k to do the kinda of things you're talking about.... it doesn't just not make sense, its feking stupid.
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Let's assume I pick up a cheapo for under 10k, and then spend another 40k-50k fixing it up....think it will be worth it...Worst case is I sell it after two years for 25k...'

At the moment, Im just trying to figure out what it will cost me total... based on actual prices...

I fully understand that spending 50k on it doesn't make sense...but like I said, I've always wanted one and I already have my everyday vehicle...
 
F1 Fan said:
Let's assume I pick up a cheapo for under 10k, and then spend another 40k-50k fixing it up....think it will be worth it...Worst case is I sell it after two years for 25k...
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For under R10k? you will have to spend R20k sorting out the body at least... if its even rescuable...

Then R10k - R20k on the motor and such... Ignoring paint, upholstery and other things...

Unless you can do the restoration yourself, it doesn't even BEGIN to make sense to waste your time with a vehicle like this, unless you are restoring to complete factory original to restore a classic to hold onto it.
 
ToxicBunny said:
For under R10k? you will have to spend R20k sorting out the body at least... if its even rescuable...

Then R10k - R20k on the motor and such... Ignoring paint, upholstery and other things...

Unless you can do the restoration yourself, it doesn't even BEGIN to make sense to waste your time with a vehicle like this, unless you are restoring to complete factory original to restore a classic to hold onto it.
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Brother owns a panel shop...hoping to leverage on that... I want to buy a cheapo so I can redo the paint etc...

Perhaps I should use this as my learning opportunity on cars... i.e work with the mechanic when he is doing stuff etc...

I probably won't restore it to factory condition but I will most likely hold onto it...
 
Oh yes...would I still be spending 20k on mechanical parts if Im reusing the 1275?
 
F1 Fan said:
Do you know what this will cost?
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I'm not sure really. There is a guy in killarney gardens that restores and deals with old minis. I'm not sure the company's name but his name is dirk rheeder. I can pm you his number if you want?
 
F1 Fan said:
Oh yes...would I still be spending 20k on mechanical parts if Im reusing the 1275?
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Depends entirely on the motor you get with the vehicle tbh...

In terms of your brother owning a panel shop, you will still need to cover his costs at least, which still won't be cheap.

You seem somewhat hellbent on this, so my only suggestion is to phone around, get costs and see... but I honestly don't see a Mini being a viable option to restore given your lack of skills in that department.
 
My father bought 3 old mini's, 2 of which were Cooper S's. He then built one 1275 Cooper S. Took years, but was worth it as he ended up with a superb 1968 Morris Cooper S. Was the scariest car I have ever driven...
 
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