Always wanted a fast Mini, so I thought at the time I would do it the easy way and do an engine conversion. I bought a '61 rolling shell from Doug in Pinetown for R3000 and then cut the front end off and started making the new subframe for the Toyota 16v engine. Unfortunately I don't have many pictures of the shell and subframe.


















I bought the engine from Engine Den in Durban and it was only after a year or so That I stripped the engine only to find it was a mess. Full of sludge and worn big ends and main bearings. The head was sent off to be reconditioned and the crank recut.

Hi again

Stupidly I bought this, even though I hadnt even finished the first Mini.










The car was completely stripped and sent for sandblasting.

Returning looking like this












Although the photos look very good, alot of work had been carried out by previous owners. Bad repairs, brazing and warped panels mean every panel will be worked on except the lower dash rail.

Hi Guys and Gals

I am busy building a mini pickup and am looking for a decent set of external hinged doors.

Please contact me if you have, can get, or know of someone hiding them away.

It will be much appreciated

Thanks

Rich

Hi

This is my current running mini, it was probably a 5-6 year build and eventually it was handed over to Doug at MiniSpares for completion.

There is a bit more work to be done, but she is currently running very well and an absolute joy to drive.

The beginning as the car was delivered to the panel beater, a pretty decent shell as not 1 panel needed replacement.
Just the firewall needed some work as it had been cut to accept a turbo box.







A bit of paint and the initial stage of rebuild





A newly built motor, suspension, electrical

Hello Everyone

So good to have a platform to post questions, answer questions and discuss minis once again.

I am Richard, a qualified plumber who lives in Ballito, KZN. Currently married with 2 young girls.

I am the owner of a 1975 Mini Delux 1100, well it was when I got it. This car is probably 95% complete and was a long and expensive build with lots of mistakes, wasted money, swearing, alcohol and domestic disputes.

Currently I am busy building a pickup, which needless to say needs alot of work. I aint sure why I did it, but I bought it. 

Thats it for now and will post some pics in the right thread shortly, as well as posting updates with the build progress.

Bye for now

Rich

Useful site to help get an idea of your car before committing to anything : CLICKY

   

   

Just a few more details about my mk1 for those that are interested:

1963 mk1 Austin 850 body
badged as Morris Cooper S
1380cc engine
Cooper S disc brakes and spaced rear drums
Twin 1 1/4 inch SU
Vacuum assist servo
Oil cooler
Cooper S bucket Seats
Hi-lo suspension all round
Twin tanks

Bought it with horrific 13 inch mags on and a looooooooooooong list of things to correct and tidy up, still more than a few left to get to, happy with the progress so far though   next on the list to tackle is the engine, feels underpowered for its capacity, think the current head has a lot to do with that.

So I thought we could have a mini's interior thread.
Doesn't have to be your interior, just an interior from a mini or one that would work for the mini. 

Click on the video to view it

Considering that all mini literature talks about the 1098 in terms of the UK version, I thought we could create a 1098 thread purely based on the technical info and possible mods that can be effectively done to the South African version of the A series 1098.

I barely have enough knowledge to make myself dangerous so if some of the resident experts please contribute it would be much appreciated. 

What I know:

Engine number prefix 10H - 1098cc


Block is the same as the 1275, with the same bore.

The SA 1100 has a shorter stroke to the 1275 (not sure what it is exactly)

Some other things that could be added:

• What standard SU carb the 1098 came out with
  
• Is their any potential with the SA 1098
  
• Performance upgrades to the 1098 in terms of ease and cost
  
• At what point is it time to move to a 1275
  
• Other tell tale signs that you have 1098 parts (Piston differences, conrods, anything else)
  
• The 1098 vs 1275 and which is better for your objective (Full race car vs daily driver)