irvined
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| posted on 16/12/07 at 11:18 AM |
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My next project - decisions, decisions
So, now i've finished one car, its obviously time to build another, especialy since i have a seven to use in the mean time.
The problem is I can't decide what to do. I've always had a bit of an obsession with Mini's, i had one as my second car (Arguably
it was my first, as the MG metro i scrounged failed its MOT terminally before i was old enough to drive it)(Although the engine and gearbox did live
on), and got a bit carried away with turbos, it was great fun. I remember it as being like a go kart with a roof.
At the same time i also like the moggy minor - cracking fun, and you can have a lot of fun with them when the roads are a bit wet. And then recently
i've also become quite fond of the hillman imp, i saw recently a fibreglass bodied one and it was really, really sorted. Here's roughly
what i've been considering:
1) Oldish mini clubman, jet black, fairly subtle on the outside, a bit wider, a bit lower, but nothing all that OTT, make it as light as possible,
very minimalist interior, uprate the brakes, and drop in a pro-motive r1 conversion with a blower of some kind.
I'd want to try to hide the fact it goes fast, when sitting at the lights, the idea is other than it being a bit more bulbous and perhaps making
a bit of a burble nobody would be any the wiser until you stick the toe down - not always easy with a bike engine, but i can live with that.
2) Moggy minor, not sure on the colour, split windscreen, very very fond of the beardmore brothers creations, (Those guys are an inspiration.) I dont
think these suit a bike engine - i can never imagine a minor screaming to 13,000rpm, i think i'd have to go something that grunts and burbles
instead - fiat twin cam is a popular choice, but perhaps something with six cyls.
Interior would keep some of the original features, but perhaps some subtle bucket seats.
3) Hillman imp - i saw a fibreglass one on here a while ago, and it looked absolutely amazing, i would only really want one with a space frame and
fibreglass body, not sure on engine, but the idea would be to make this as fast and light as possible, bike engine - i'd want something that can
do wheelies 
Of course, im also very tempted with another seven, very impressed with the MNR cars, and sorely tempted for something strictly track day.
I'm all confused - what do you guys think?
http://irvined.blogspot.com
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oadamo
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| posted on 16/12/07 at 11:24 AM |
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imp.
adam
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 16/12/07 at 11:53 AM |
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build an R1 
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irvined
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| posted on 16/12/07 at 12:00 PM |
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Its sorely tempting to just go R1 Mini, i would then have a sensible car for the wet, and a not so sensible car for the dry.
And it would have a boot!!
http://irvined.blogspot.com
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 16/12/07 at 01:07 PM |
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I'd be tempted by an OTT mini - plain-looking outside, but totally wild in the engine compartment.
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twybrow
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| posted on 16/12/07 at 01:23 PM |
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I have been thinking long term about a twin engined mini! One R1 up front, another in the back! The cost would be pretty scary, but imagine the speed
(if not the handling!).
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RK
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| posted on 16/12/07 at 02:15 PM |
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I vote OTT mini for the surprise factor, but like the idea of the Imp. A high school friend had one once; kept popping a sparkplug out when given the
gas. Fun though. The Canadian West Coast used to be English car land - absolutely everybody had one or two.
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02GF74
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| posted on 16/12/07 at 07:45 PM |
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well just to be differnet, I vote for rover v8 morris minor. This has been done and is not that hard to do.
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irvined
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| posted on 17/12/07 at 04:17 AM |
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Of course, if i get a mini, the question is -
to de-seam or not to de-seam.
I did it last time, but it was a complete pig of a job, looed the business though, but with a A+ turbo i was getting fractures where the suspension
components mated with the body, and the stabilizer bar.
Don't want anything letting go 
http://irvined.blogspot.com
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 17/12/07 at 08:00 AM |
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Biggest prob with de-seaming is you burn of the paint inside the panels often in areas that can't be reached to repaint, like the roof and the
windscreen pillars. Folk use to it to old beetles, which was simply the kiss of death they might have well washed the car with salt water.
The joint once welded is nothing like as strong as the original folded flange and usually requires quite a lot of filler to even things out.
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onzarob
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| posted on 17/12/07 at 09:37 AM |
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go for an Imp like this....... oh and its an imp engine
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wxkaVOxj3eU
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onzarob
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| posted on 17/12/07 at 09:40 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by irvined
Of course, if i get a mini, the question is -
to de-seam or not to de-seam.
I allways feel once you deseam a mini its toast.
I know it suppose to be 40 sq in of steel removed to aid air flow, but its just not as strong
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irvined
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| posted on 17/12/07 at 10:03 AM |
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I'm now thinking a clubman estate, or mini van - not sure why - a bit different maybe.
http://irvined.blogspot.com
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