Mini (1980 or earlier)

Well said.. I believe Joe & Mark (Doran) are selling their Autotest Nova 1.6 at present and its a front runner built with no expense spared by Ronnie Griffin.. Was valued at over €10k not too long ago and is now available for much less...

[
Malcolm : did you ever come across the one about Peter May shafts that they are made with a view to racing. As such, whether it be the metal or something else. they are good in racing as the direction of torque/usage is one way. For autotesting they can still prove fragile because of the effect reversing/ reversing the load has and they still break ?

the other reason for the continuing preference for the Ford axle

Tim

[/quote]

Thought more about what you said - if it were true the shafts would need to be handed and they are not
meaning they may still be fragile because of the overall diameter being so small compaired with the Ford

I have to agree that buying something prepped would be the best idea. During the summer I acquired my mother's 88 mini with factory 998 engine. I stripped it out myself, tweaked the hand brake and did Frank's beginners event in June. As advised on the day by many, this car needs so much work to be on the pace I abandoned project. Continuing to invest in my Starlet is the wiser route.

what u gona do with the mini?

I'd be interested in knowing too!! Very Happy

Just to give you an idea of of what its like to build your own car. 8 of us decided to build new Strykers in 2006. By the time the chassis arrived it was a bit late to have the cars finished for the start of 2007, so I concentrated on my old car. Now nearly 3 years on and €22000 later the car is still unfinished. I just cant find the time to get through the work, and I refuse to cobble it together. Every part needs fine tuning. Nothing goes together the perfect way I want it to. So even though I have all the facilities and tools required, i just cant get it done. If I was earning money for all the time I have already put into it, I would have earned about €50000.
As regards Mini v Starlet, yes the Mini is cute, cuddly and has timeless good looks, but in standard form its a pile of junk compared to a 1.3 16 valve Starlet like a Jap import Soleil 4 speed model with 100bhp. The body has excellent rust proofing. Power steering is standard. The standard clutch and gearbox are very durable and easy to change. parts are cheap and still easy to get. Like the toyota jeep on Top Gear, you cant kill them....Oh and did I mention the engine mounts, 1500 engines, lsd's, shocks.......

Thanks to Malcom & Tim for that info, lots to think about!! ......... I doubt it'll be ready for the first Multivenue! ........ Might be quicker to start out with a Ford!

J - I also have a '79 1500 Midget going cheap if you like welding and fancy going RWD! .... Starlet would be a far easier option for you though! Best of luck!

Paul

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Paul Ramoutar

Mk1 Cooper S - MGB GT - MGB Roadster - MGB GTV8 - MX-5

This one looks like good value...

Midget for Sale

I'm still considering what best to do with the mini, open to offers!

what sort of condition is the shell in? Rust etc.

It's mint, has always been garaged. Only 27k original miles.