Rosie the racing mini

[Andy-nbr]

Over the last 6 months or so I've been building a mini to use for track days, hill climbs etc. Bought a cheap mini that was rusting away in the back of a yard and got to work. It was in a pretty poor way so a lot of stuff had to be cut away.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab144/andynbr/261498_177176002343694_100001538878514_455775_2636 937_n.jpg

First to go were the damaged wings, A panels, rusted front panel, scuttle panel

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab144/andynbr/269096_186830668044894_100001538878514_495256_5772 108_n.jpg

And weld on the new A penels and scuttle

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab144/andynbr/198769_193789960682298_100001538878514_518538_2651 617_n.jpg

Any excess weight had to go, so out with the door and window mechanism... oh and the inner skin!

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab144/andynbr/287457_194773627250598_100001538878514_521604_7506 867_o.jpg

With all the new panels welded in place I could fit the brace bars to give it rigidity with the fibreglass front end.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab144/andynbr/295818_201510663243561_100001538878514_541399_3232 810_n.jpg

Then came the hard graft of sanding it all down ready for paint

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab144/andynbr/317528_210813628979931_100001538878514_572782_1501 997_n.jpg

Think it's bright enough...

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab144/andynbr/321518_210813685646592_100001538878514_572785_9495 74_n.jpg

Rear section of the cage sat in place ready for mounting

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab144/andynbr/301929_210813762313251_100001538878514_572789_1625 285_n.jpg

Then fitted the Fiesta Mk1 disc brakes to allow me to run the 10" wheels

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab144/andynbr/314840_216598858401408_100001538878514_591658_9177 43559_n.jpg

Outside and rolling for the first time in over 3 weeks

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab144/andynbr/298635_210813878979906_100001538878514_572794_7318 539_n.jpg

The fitted the luxury interior...

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab144/andynbr/310611_216599818401312_100001538878514_591660_2501 47464_n.jpg

And plastic windows all round (apart from windscreen obviously). The weight the plastic windows save is insane... just a pig to fit

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab144/andynbr/313524_216598885068072_100001538878514_591659_5322 52256_n.jpg

And how she currently stands

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab144/andynbr/326633_222116281182999_100001538878514_609927_1130 636718_o.jpg

Loads more work to do, including finishing off the paint work on the fibreglass front end, bonnet and roof.

It's curently still running the standard 998cc engine but with all the weight taken out its not too bad. I have a new 1380cc stage 3 engine with a Jack Kinght straight cut box to go back into it, but unfortunately I screwed the gear box so it needs to be rebuilt

Things left to do:

Rebuild the race engine gearbox
Finish spraying
Fit allloy 3 gallon fuel tank
Fit dashboard with Acewell Digital speedo

[drifter]

Looks awesome mate, brings back fond memories of monthy rust repairs to the front seams under the headlights :D

Nice to see your're sticking with the A series :cool:

[Delboy]

Very cool, will be loads of fun I'm sure.

I was watching the Goodwood revival on tv a few weeks back and there was a chap in a classic touring car spec mini tearing it up, looked like so much fun!

[Moby-Dick]

Ah Makes me feel a little nostalgic for my mini - Pagent Blue Clubman estate with a freeway 1340 engine , front mount rad , fully adjustable suspension and MG metro turbo disc brakes.

[Andy-nbr]

Ahh a fellow clubby Estate owner! I had a clubby estate as my first car, loved it to bits. Was running a metro Turbo engine in that, bloody flew!

[MagicMat]

Awesome Mate !

I really miss my minis, I had a few, but this was the last one i did up, i think its a right of passage :)

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