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Your first Mini......
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Yes, we do do some strange things down here at times,and Leyland did more strange things than most. Austin freeways (A60s with 6 cyl B series engines), Austin Kimberlys and Tasmans,(Austin 1800 replacements with 6cyl E series OHC engines), Marina 6 with the E series 6 Cyl engines and did you get the 1800 ute (pickup to you blokes I surpose) just to name a few that spring to mind. but it's interesting that as far as minis go, there must have been quite a demand for mini "utes" and station wagons (estate cars ) but the only ones I ever saw came in from G.B. Obviosly the management didn't consider there would be a big enough demand, but it does seem strange when they were building vans with almost the same panelling anyway. With the Mini production down here I "think" that they went back to the older style sheet metal when they assembled them CKD after the Zetland factory was closed and sold off. I am not that familiar with the british history but I gather they ran the older style Mini and the Clubman side by side in the home market, and eventualy dropped the Clubman, out here when they released the Clubman they discontinued all the earlyer models, including the Cooper S, which was always more popular than the Clubman GT. Did they ever have the GT in Britain ? I don't think I have ever heard it mentioned over there.
I don,t pretend to be an authority on Mini history here or in Britain, and what I am saying is only from memory, But I was involved with them on a dayly basis for quite a few years, and I don't think I will be too far off. It's nice to see they are still so popular overseas.
I don,t pretend to be an authority on Mini history here or in Britain, and what I am saying is only from memory, But I was involved with them on a dayly basis for quite a few years, and I don't think I will be too far off. It's nice to see they are still so popular overseas.
Back to the Question,
My first mini wasn't realy mine. It was my brothers. In about 1970 Norm bought 2 minis for $50 one mini 1000 going and licenced with a completely worn out engine and collapsed idler gear bearings buisily pumping metal shavings all through the engine (scrap value only) and one Morris Mini Minor 850 with a very good motor but had been rolled, and all the panel work was completely smashed. Anyway we took them home and when I went home on the weekend a couple of weeks later I showed him how to lift the body off the subframe, and we changed the engine trans suspension subframe and steering. It worked quite well, and I think the only things that went wrong with it were tyres and the very anoying habit of stones knocking the electric wire off the SU electric fuel pump when we were hooking down our country gravel roads, meaning you had to get out and crawl under the back of the car to put the wire back on the pump. Not what you need if you are going out and are dressed up in your good clothes. Anyway she did her job quite well, and was driven a lot of miles mostly on unsealed roads and usualy as fast as she would go, about 70 MPH. Norm eventualy sold her for $500 to one of the local shearers, but she remains vivid in both our memories.
My first mini wasn't realy mine. It was my brothers. In about 1970 Norm bought 2 minis for $50 one mini 1000 going and licenced with a completely worn out engine and collapsed idler gear bearings buisily pumping metal shavings all through the engine (scrap value only) and one Morris Mini Minor 850 with a very good motor but had been rolled, and all the panel work was completely smashed. Anyway we took them home and when I went home on the weekend a couple of weeks later I showed him how to lift the body off the subframe, and we changed the engine trans suspension subframe and steering. It worked quite well, and I think the only things that went wrong with it were tyres and the very anoying habit of stones knocking the electric wire off the SU electric fuel pump when we were hooking down our country gravel roads, meaning you had to get out and crawl under the back of the car to put the wire back on the pump. Not what you need if you are going out and are dressed up in your good clothes. Anyway she did her job quite well, and was driven a lot of miles mostly on unsealed roads and usualy as fast as she would go, about 70 MPH. Norm eventualy sold her for $500 to one of the local shearers, but she remains vivid in both our memories.
Sherlock
Yoda
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Graham,
To my knowledge, having done some research on Mini history, the Countryman wagon was dropped from production when the Clubman Countryman was introduced, while the delivery van and pickup (ute) versions continued in production until about 1985 or so worldwide.
And you aren't the only country with interesting versions of cars, I've read scattered bits of information about cars built in much maligned South Africa (justifiably so...), but there are a fair number of unique and interesting variations that stem from that country as well. It almost seems to be something to do with the "western"-type countries of the southern hemisphere, South Africa probably being the most technically advanced country in Africa. And of course Brazil is also famous for unique cars as well, but having more influence from German manufacturers.
Hmmm... maybe time to do some research to write an article on Mini history... or history of Australian vehicles... South African vehicles...
To my knowledge, having done some research on Mini history, the Countryman wagon was dropped from production when the Clubman Countryman was introduced, while the delivery van and pickup (ute) versions continued in production until about 1985 or so worldwide.
And you aren't the only country with interesting versions of cars, I've read scattered bits of information about cars built in much maligned South Africa (justifiably so...), but there are a fair number of unique and interesting variations that stem from that country as well. It almost seems to be something to do with the "western"-type countries of the southern hemisphere, South Africa probably being the most technically advanced country in Africa. And of course Brazil is also famous for unique cars as well, but having more influence from German manufacturers.
Hmmm... maybe time to do some research to write an article on Mini history... or history of Australian vehicles... South African vehicles...
Yes South Africa has had a varied history, and a few Australian cars turned up there in American guise, like some Holdens badged as Chevy's ect.
I was told once from a source that may know that leyland sent the tooling for the P76 V8 to South Africa to use in their trucks. It seems a shame for such a good engine to have ended its production as a commercial only unit as it was a very good car unit back when.
I was told once from a source that may know that leyland sent the tooling for the P76 V8 to South Africa to use in their trucks. It seems a shame for such a good engine to have ended its production as a commercial only unit as it was a very good car unit back when.
Sherlock
Yoda
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Graham,
North America basically received the same cars as made in England or elsewhere in the world. One notable model, only in Canada, was a car called the Envoy sold throughout the 1960's. It was basically the same as a Vauxhall Victor and Viva and mainly built for separate marketing through a different branch of General Motors sales.
And, kind of back on track..., as some American BCFers may know, sales of the classic Mini stopped in the United States in 1967 while Canadian sales didn't stop until 1980, giving us a much better stock of Mini's compared to the States. And now that the classic Mini is so popular in North America (and worldwide), Canada is a great hunting ground for potential Mini owners.
North America basically received the same cars as made in England or elsewhere in the world. One notable model, only in Canada, was a car called the Envoy sold throughout the 1960's. It was basically the same as a Vauxhall Victor and Viva and mainly built for separate marketing through a different branch of General Motors sales.
And, kind of back on track..., as some American BCFers may know, sales of the classic Mini stopped in the United States in 1967 while Canadian sales didn't stop until 1980, giving us a much better stock of Mini's compared to the States. And now that the classic Mini is so popular in North America (and worldwide), Canada is a great hunting ground for potential Mini owners.
Sherlock,
Yes ! Its amaizing how much value GM worldwide got out of the Vauxhaul Viva, I havn't heard of the "Envoy" before, but out here they probibaly did the same sort of thing with the Holden "Torana". It started out as a 1200 push rod 4cyl in about 68? updated to 1750 OHC in the late 60s and then they basicly extended the front and shoehorned the 6 Cyl full sized (for Oz)Holden sedan engine into it, up to 186 cubic inches. In this guise it was one of the most successful Australian sports / racing cars of the early 1970s. The high performance XU1 version was a real quick car and used to eat most V8s.It finnished up bearing little resemblance to the original English version and its performance was something the original desighners wouldn't have imagined in their wildest nightmares.I am shure you know about it, as looking at your postings you seem to have a real good handle on a lot of our local history . I am pretty much a novice at these computer gadgets, so when I figure out how to drive it a bit better I will post a couple of picks of one.
Yes ! Its amaizing how much value GM worldwide got out of the Vauxhaul Viva, I havn't heard of the "Envoy" before, but out here they probibaly did the same sort of thing with the Holden "Torana". It started out as a 1200 push rod 4cyl in about 68? updated to 1750 OHC in the late 60s and then they basicly extended the front and shoehorned the 6 Cyl full sized (for Oz)Holden sedan engine into it, up to 186 cubic inches. In this guise it was one of the most successful Australian sports / racing cars of the early 1970s. The high performance XU1 version was a real quick car and used to eat most V8s.It finnished up bearing little resemblance to the original English version and its performance was something the original desighners wouldn't have imagined in their wildest nightmares.I am shure you know about it, as looking at your postings you seem to have a real good handle on a lot of our local history . I am pretty much a novice at these computer gadgets, so when I figure out how to drive it a bit better I will post a couple of picks of one.
Sherlock
Yoda
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Hi Graham,
I suppose you could call me a fairly serious student of world automotive history who has an extremely photographic memory, now how to make it pay somehow
. I you go up to Writer's Corner here on BCF I have posted a few articles, some of them historical in nature including one on Vauxhall North American history, including that info on the Envoy I mentioned (Writer's Corner is in the links area of BCF).
Anyway, have to run shortly, off to write a first draft of a new article on Mini history.
I suppose you could call me a fairly serious student of world automotive history who has an extremely photographic memory, now how to make it pay somehow
Anyway, have to run shortly, off to write a first draft of a new article on Mini history.
My first Mini is the mini I have now, since I'm a new convert to Minis from motorbikes. It's a Clubman van (a model unique to Australia and New Zealand), bought as a project for NZ$300 (approx US$180) and some significant rust but not a great deal in the important van panels.
I've done a 18 week, 2hrs a week MIG welding course and have a 150 amp MIG... Having converted to Minis from bikes, I've also converted from working with wood to working in metal and this is part of that switch.
Whipped a rear subframe off at the wreckers today (8.00am on a SUnday morning in the drizzle!). Only took me 20 minutes in total and cost $35, so fairly happy with that.
I've got a website in progress at https://www.ozone.co.nz/minivan/ mainly drivel and need to crack on and get it up to date (build a gallery etc and update where I'm up to with the work.
And guess what: I haven't driven a mini since I borrowed my mate's Clubman when I was 16. I'm 37 now and will probably be a lot closer to 40 when I drive my van, but I've got the colour scheme sorted already.
I've done a 18 week, 2hrs a week MIG welding course and have a 150 amp MIG... Having converted to Minis from bikes, I've also converted from working with wood to working in metal and this is part of that switch.
Whipped a rear subframe off at the wreckers today (8.00am on a SUnday morning in the drizzle!). Only took me 20 minutes in total and cost $35, so fairly happy with that.
I've got a website in progress at https://www.ozone.co.nz/minivan/ mainly drivel and need to crack on and get it up to date (build a gallery etc and update where I'm up to with the work.
And guess what: I haven't driven a mini since I borrowed my mate's Clubman when I was 16. I'm 37 now and will probably be a lot closer to 40 when I drive my van, but I've got the colour scheme sorted already.
Go Angusdog,
If you are a new convert to Minis you wont regret it. I have only had a few of them over the years, including 2 Mokes, and never a Cooper, but one day ----?-- maybe. I do have an awful lot of respect for them though, as the fact that over 30 years after I first started working on them I still like em. and dont be scared of the mechanicals either, (like a lot of people) once you get to know them they are simple and easy to work on.
If you are a new convert to Minis you wont regret it. I have only had a few of them over the years, including 2 Mokes, and never a Cooper, but one day ----?-- maybe. I do have an awful lot of respect for them though, as the fact that over 30 years after I first started working on them I still like em. and dont be scared of the mechanicals either, (like a lot of people) once you get to know them they are simple and easy to work on.
Hi everybody,
I'm a new member here, from Sydney, Australia.
My first MINI was a 1967 Morris Mini Deluxe. It had ~33000 Miles on it when I bought it in 1998. It was Sierra Beige and was immaculate. So many people love Minis over here and I got heaps of smiles and conversations in petrol stations. Even the son of the original owner found me once and asked if he could sit in the seat of the car he learnt to drive in.
Unfortunately it had four-wheel drum brakes and I wasn't diligent in adjusting them often enough and had a very nasty accident, so the car got written off. I'm so ashamed about this and sadly, I only have one photo of this car.
My second MINI is a project car.
It is a '78 Leyland Clubman Panel Van. I read on this forum that Australia was the only country to have made this model of the Panel Van. I now understand why I can't find any photos of this model on the 'net! I plan to learn a bit of welding and painting on this car. I want to set it up as my first work van, being an apprentice electrician.
My daily driver at the moment is an E30 BMW 318i with 333342 Kilometres! It has been a very, very reliable car over the last 4 years. I have bought a BRAND new motor for it (what a score!), and when the MINI is up and going I will start to strip it down.
I will be asking lots of questions about the MINI project, so thank you in advance,
Jonathan Clifton
I'm a new member here, from Sydney, Australia.
My first MINI was a 1967 Morris Mini Deluxe. It had ~33000 Miles on it when I bought it in 1998. It was Sierra Beige and was immaculate. So many people love Minis over here and I got heaps of smiles and conversations in petrol stations. Even the son of the original owner found me once and asked if he could sit in the seat of the car he learnt to drive in.
Unfortunately it had four-wheel drum brakes and I wasn't diligent in adjusting them often enough and had a very nasty accident, so the car got written off. I'm so ashamed about this and sadly, I only have one photo of this car.
My second MINI is a project car.
It is a '78 Leyland Clubman Panel Van. I read on this forum that Australia was the only country to have made this model of the Panel Van. I now understand why I can't find any photos of this model on the 'net! I plan to learn a bit of welding and painting on this car. I want to set it up as my first work van, being an apprentice electrician.
My daily driver at the moment is an E30 BMW 318i with 333342 Kilometres! It has been a very, very reliable car over the last 4 years. I have bought a BRAND new motor for it (what a score!), and when the MINI is up and going I will start to strip it down.
I will be asking lots of questions about the MINI project, so thank you in advance,
Jonathan Clifton
mongoose
Senior Member
Offline
Wow. My first post is about my first mini. It's a red '60 with push button start (seems to be quite a few of them). It started life with an 850, but somewhere along the way, it got a ported 998 Cooper head with o/s intake valves, a 731 cam and an LCB. Since then I've put in a 1098, carrying over the cam & head and adding an HIF6 carb. I've also ugraded the brakes to late model 8.4 discs and it rolls on 13" Chevy Monza wheels. I currently have a 1380 nearly done on my workbench.
As I was reading this thread, I noticed the locations of some of you. Steve, are you currently in Milwaukee? And what a coincidence, ThomP is from Wellington, FLORIDA, and the next post from Angusdog is from Wellington, NEW ZEALAND! Interesting.
As I was reading this thread, I noticed the locations of some of you. Steve, are you currently in Milwaukee? And what a coincidence, ThomP is from Wellington, FLORIDA, and the next post from Angusdog is from Wellington, NEW ZEALAND! Interesting.
Minicoop23
Freshman Member
Offline
Hi all, just new to this forum today.
My first Min I purchased in the Mid 70's, was supposedly a 1965 1275 'S' although it only had 1 fuel tank & dry suspension. Had always wanted one since my older brother had one when new in the 60's. Unfortunately that part got the better of me as well as the car.
I drove the car from Hackensack NJ to Pittsburgh Pa and had to get used to the short wheelbase as well as some loose steering that the seller had told me about prior to purchase. That steering, along with no seatbelts & one too many beers managed to have both me and the car damaged in a big way.
Needless to say, I survived the car however not so well so I cannabalized the 1275 engine/trans/brakes and found another donor car which I now have.
This present car is a blast - I autocross it during the warmer months, did pretty well under SCCA ruling locally. Then a local club started a "vintage class" for cars 25 years & older but the car had to be on street tires. Mini didn't mind & smoked a 914 & 914-6 by 2.5 seconds!! Impressive for a forty year old car. Still get grins every time I'm behind the wheel.
Cheers
My first Min I purchased in the Mid 70's, was supposedly a 1965 1275 'S' although it only had 1 fuel tank & dry suspension. Had always wanted one since my older brother had one when new in the 60's. Unfortunately that part got the better of me as well as the car.
I drove the car from Hackensack NJ to Pittsburgh Pa and had to get used to the short wheelbase as well as some loose steering that the seller had told me about prior to purchase. That steering, along with no seatbelts & one too many beers managed to have both me and the car damaged in a big way.
Needless to say, I survived the car however not so well so I cannabalized the 1275 engine/trans/brakes and found another donor car which I now have.
This present car is a blast - I autocross it during the warmer months, did pretty well under SCCA ruling locally. Then a local club started a "vintage class" for cars 25 years & older but the car had to be on street tires. Mini didn't mind & smoked a 914 & 914-6 by 2.5 seconds!! Impressive for a forty year old car. Still get grins every time I'm behind the wheel.
Cheers
My 1st minis were inthe late 70's. We had a race team and I payed most of the bills so I can claim ownership. One was a 1293 'S' race sedan campaigned as a C sedan in the Bulova series in Canada. We had a prime driver who was very quick and in fact had the Mosport lap record from time to time.He returned to England and I and one other shared driving for a couple of years before the team broke up.
This car was pretty well developed at the time. It had 13in. wheels with F Atlantic brakes and a'detachable' front end for ease of access. At the time these were illegal but we got round this by pop riveting which was technically permanent and could be separated with plyers for quick access in the pits. This resultad in a rule change to allow fibreglass detachable front ends The compression ratio being in the 11s and gas required to be 'commercially available at the pump', we would buy av. gas at the local airfield for racing.
The crank has 3 mains which was limiting for development and the Weber 45 DCOE tweaky.
The other car was an ice racer(? a sop to the bill payer). This was a spaceframe with a mini shell and a 1310S engine(one of our blocks bored out and illegal for hard track). This car was very fast and only used for studded class. It ran on Hekkapolitas(???) double chisel studs(I still have them if anyone is interested). I was 'Studded champion of Ontario' for 2yrs(yes yes yes ladies I've heard all the jokes but no propositions!).This car was really a 'silhouette' and the roll cage saved my neck on a couple of occasions(literally). There was a beam axle on the rear, hydrolastic suspension and servo/discs on front.Entry/exit was through the window-easier when inverted. Calculated max. speed on track about 107mph
This mill is currently being rebuilt to go in a1979 mini 1000 which we are restoring 'ground up'The shell is down to bare metal and awaiting new Heritage front fenders etc befoore paint and assembly.
Advice re. suspension/ brakes etc. would be welcome
Hotdoc
This car was pretty well developed at the time. It had 13in. wheels with F Atlantic brakes and a'detachable' front end for ease of access. At the time these were illegal but we got round this by pop riveting which was technically permanent and could be separated with plyers for quick access in the pits. This resultad in a rule change to allow fibreglass detachable front ends The compression ratio being in the 11s and gas required to be 'commercially available at the pump', we would buy av. gas at the local airfield for racing.
The crank has 3 mains which was limiting for development and the Weber 45 DCOE tweaky.
The other car was an ice racer(? a sop to the bill payer). This was a spaceframe with a mini shell and a 1310S engine(one of our blocks bored out and illegal for hard track). This car was very fast and only used for studded class. It ran on Hekkapolitas(???) double chisel studs(I still have them if anyone is interested). I was 'Studded champion of Ontario' for 2yrs(yes yes yes ladies I've heard all the jokes but no propositions!).This car was really a 'silhouette' and the roll cage saved my neck on a couple of occasions(literally). There was a beam axle on the rear, hydrolastic suspension and servo/discs on front.Entry/exit was through the window-easier when inverted. Calculated max. speed on track about 107mph
This mill is currently being rebuilt to go in a1979 mini 1000 which we are restoring 'ground up'The shell is down to bare metal and awaiting new Heritage front fenders etc befoore paint and assembly.
Advice re. suspension/ brakes etc. would be welcome
Hotdoc
aeronca65t
Great Pumpkin
Offline
Welcome Minicoop23!
.....and cool story, Hotdoc!
Have you guys posted pictures in the "Member's Rides" section of BCF?
.....and cool story, Hotdoc!
Have you guys posted pictures in the "Member's Rides" section of BCF?