brads 1963 mk1 850 - roll cage complete, got a weber & ideas

[MkI]

My Grandpa used to race these here in Canada in the late 70's. I remember him having 3 or 4 in the garage at a time and parking them all sideways taking up only one side of the garage. Love the new wheels and to think that 10s are an actual tire size nowdays seems silly.

They are so small. Its handy as!

Thanks, cant wait for the wheels to turn up! The tyres are ridiculously small. A mates hilux with 33" tyres has literally double the rolling circumference. It goes twice as far with one rotation

[scotto]

My Grandpa used to race these here in Canada in the late 70's. I remember him having 3 or 4 in the garage at a time and parking them all sideways taking up only one side of the garage. Love the new wheels and to think that 10s are an actual tire size nowdays seems silly.

[MkI]

Confirmed my engine block is one of the rare desirable thick flange Cooper S blocks. Worth a few bob and purists love it. Lucky for them i own it and its already bored and stroked for an extra 133cc lol


Got my new tyres off a mate this afternoon. Nice Dunlop Formula R's.

Also grabbed a spare set of doors off him to check against my shell. My ones are seriously ill-fitting.

[MkI]

So tonight (it's approaching midnight here) i was stuffing about with some of the steel, got more angles and sections cut for the rear frame. The top length in the boot will be the first strut brace (required by the engineer), but i think it might change to allow fitment of a fuel tank (and square section looks naff)







I figured i'd grab some photos of the motor. As far as i know, AEG312 means it's a thin walled block, but the flange for the gearbox is thick. I have posted on mini forums, so hopefully i can get a definitive answer! Pretty sure they're also Hardy Spicer joints, which are stronger than the usual Pot-joint















I think the number on the gearbox casing says 22G1128. According to http://www.ozcooper.com.au/new_page_3.htm it's a Mark2 Cooper S gearbox, which is a good thing...i think. It should mean its a stronger gearbox

[MkI]

Carl at Force Racing posted this pic of a wheel on their Facebook page overnight. Its exactly like what mine should be, and he mentioned they're for a far away land (australias pretty far from the UK!)

Even if not, my wheels are exactly this. Same offset, inner/outer dimensions, colour and style.
I have sent an email to confirm, but being from pommieland i could get a reply anytime up to about 2am (6pm UK time)




In other news im going to drop my weber and 12g940 head off to my mechanic John Leffler. He has finished my hubs with new bearings and CV joints, ball joints, brake lines, new brake switch etc; but wants the driveshafts so he can put the CVs and everything together. IF i have driveshafts then i'll drop the head and weber off together. Otherwise Leffler will order them in


I have also heard of a new 200+hp supercharged lightweight mini coming up. Cant say anything more, but it should be special. It has the right people involved!

[MkI]

I end up just sitting in the car when I don't have the motivation, usually works after making engine noises for a few minutes.

I might give that a whirl. Should buy a steering wheel to make it feel more authentic

[scotto]

I end up just sitting in the car when I don't have the motivation, usually works after making engine noises for a few minutes.

[MkI]

A mate and I have ordered some semi-slick style road legal tyres -->CLICK ME for 165/70R10 FORMULA-R D93J



Just also, seriously lacking motivation for this car. I have done bugger all to it for ages, and im struggling getting into gear. I know i have bought stuff, which is exciting, but getting my hands dirty hasnt happened in ages. I just grabbed a foldable seat and sat down to stare at it this evening for 40 minutes.

[MkI]

No updates, but i have found a new temporary home for mini so it doesnt have to go outside
plenty of space!

This is why minis are sick

[MkI]

I forgot to say that the engineer came over on wednesday afternoon. We went through everything we could think of. The engineer was super helpful, and gave us some great additions.

We have a revised design for the rear end beam (will now pick up the original rear most subframe mounts), but we can have a higher/flat floor, move the battery into the cab behind the passenger seat, create new seatbelt mounts for lapsash when we tie the main roll cage hoop into the b-pillar, have a turret brace in the rear, run a fuel cell with a swirl pot (for future EFI), have a type of side intrusion system in the doors, we have a design for the seat mounts thats solid and works, should be able to legally run 10x7 wheels, braided brake lines, dual circuit brake system with lines in the cab, run an AFR guage, and a weber bulkhead box...

All completely legal and road registered/insured

[MkI]

Awesome build so far! You can't beat a track ready mk1 mini

Thanks mate! I think any old car made track ready is sweet

Great to see you persisting with the build mate. I have a real soft spot for Minis after owning one of the last ones made in the original body style from Japan.

I'm in Sydney too. My mechanic is right into his Minis as well. Owns a few NB class cars so if you need anything shoot me a PM.

Thanks bud, i will send you a PM about your mechanic



So i figured as the car will be 95% on-road i need some of this




Probably way too much material for a mini, but it was 40% off

[unusual]

Great to see you persisting with the build mate. I have a real soft spot for Minis after owning one of the last ones made in the original body style from Japan.

I'm in Sydney too. My mechanic is right into his Minis as well. Owns a few NB class cars so if you need anything shoot me a PM.

[Greg|H]

Awesome build so far! You can't beat a track ready mk1 mini

[MkI]

Ordered my new wheels today. The following with black centres and polished outers.

10x7", with 3.5" inner and outer rims

[MkI]

so the beam now fits very well




cant see it that well, but there's only 2mm of extra space left to the side of the beam. It's the same on the other side. If need be we can make it again and add the extra width, in case we're worried there isn't enough "meat" with the hole so close to the edge



I also got the delivery from Velo of seat mounts and one seat slide. I'm confused as how the slides meant to go together properly, but im sure it can be figured out without growing grey hairs

rail setup 1


rail setup2



seat with bracket, it now doesnt rock!