Description
This was a full nut and bolt restoration completed around 10 years ago. We started off with a rusted out shell of a Mini Clubman Estate HL and a 1340 engine block that had a hole in it from a snapped crank shaft.
The body work was completely stripped and all welding and structural work carried out including new floor pans, A frames, and sills. Everything was sealed and a coat of Clarendon Grey (a morris minor colour) dresses the vehicle.
Inside all the interior was refreshed including new headliner & cobra bucket seats. We kept many of the original details such as the tan door cards & liners as well as the tartan bench seat in the rear.
Under the bonnet the defunct 1340 engine was swapped out for a 1992 Mini Cooper 1275 engine. Radiator replaced as well as all master cylinders and all parts cleaned and serviced.
The car starts first turn and drives like a rocket, hugging the road and giving that classic Mini go-kart experience. I’ve never seen anything quite like this car on the road or the market. It’s not one for the purists but we wanted to create something unique.
Mods & upgrades:
13×7 Superlight wheels
Spax Coilover Shock absorbers
Uprated vented front disc brakes & Calipers (4 pot Metro)
Rear subframe swapped out for a lightweight adjustable frame
Straight through fat boy exhaust with twin chrome pipes
Custom Halo Front Lights
Independent oil cooler (this was added when the 1340 engine had been installed and we didn’t remove it)
K&N air filter
Cobra bucket seats
Custom handmade walnut dash with instruments
Alpine head unit
Tinted back windows
Unfortunately since it was restored the car has picked up some rust bubbling under the paint work – this has been where the trims were pushed back on and presumably damaged the paint letting moisture in. The photos show this – it is particularly noticeable on the drivers side (passenger side is fine). Aside from that the bodywork is sound and sturdy.
I have plenty more photos on request.
Location: Nottingham