|
|
Post by gretzky38 on Nov 17, 2009 18:57:23 GMT
Have introduced him on another thread, but thought would start this as he is now off road and work will soon be commencing.
Will post updates as they happen
|
|
|
|
Post by Holly on Nov 17, 2009 19:34:14 GMT
I look forward to seeing the photos  |
|
|
|
Post by gretzky38 on Nov 18, 2009 18:02:40 GMT
Right, now that I know I can post photos via photobucket, I thought I would let you see Olly as he was when I got him, and how he is just now. As I say, the resto starts now and I'm looking forward to seeing the finished result      Unfortunately, the day after we got him on the road, a young deer run out from ahedgerow and clattered in to this wing, causing a big dent and totally trashing the a-panel structure. Also, all the filler that had been used by the previous owner to patch up the front end cracked, so he became a bit scruffy   At the IMM in August   You'll see what I mean about the scruffiness - patched up with duck tape !!! ;D  Our youngest Springer loves him - She doesn't need to worry about changing gears!!  The Thistle Run in May 2009  Camping in the Lake District in June  Tain Vintage Rally, same week in June!  |
|
|
|
Post by Holly on Nov 18, 2009 19:11:52 GMT
oooh good luck with the resto, I'm sure with a bit of work Olly will look great again I see you did the Thistle Run, I have always wanted to do that but it always seems to clash with something else ... Maybe one year I will manage to do it  |
|
|
|
Post by tony105 on Nov 28, 2009 9:37:29 GMT
I love the Mini 30 and it is so so rare, in fact very few special editions were offered with automatic transmission as an option, and I believe that no other birthday special edition such as the 25, 35 or 40 were offered with auto transmission. I hope you enjoy your car and I'm sure the restoration will be well worth it. Roger.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin/Founder 2 on Nov 28, 2009 10:05:18 GMT
Interesting point that no others were officially offered with Automatic Transmission However neither were other limited editions like the Tahiti or the Rio but i have seen one of each with Auto Transmission I have also seen a Mini 25 with matching numbers with Auto Trans too  Unfortunately though it was beyond Saving  I have a theory on these One off Autos Back in the day when the AP auto was still available for the UK market if you walked into your Austin Rover dealer waving cash wanting a Special Edition that wasn't available with Auto Trans i reckon the dealer would ring longbridge and see if it could indeed be done? I personally think thats why theres the Odd One or Two that should never have been Automatic but with Auto Transmission Huggz Jodie  |
|
|
|
Post by gretzky38 on May 17, 2010 17:20:16 GMT
Hi folks Not been on for a while, but work has started in earnest over the past few days! Rather than clog up a thread on here, I am attaching 2 links below. One is my thread on Scottish Mini (not sure if you will have to register) and the otehr is to my Facebook album (feel free to add as a friend!) Hopefully at least one of these will work! www.scottishmini.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12553www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=234303&id=627153377&ref=mf Also, for a bit of information, I made an enquiry to ML Motorsport for advice about tuning my 998 auto and this is the response I received: Hello Paul,
Tuning the auto version of the mini is unwise to be honest, the transmission is so fragile any increase in engine power will increase the risk of failiure, we fitted a stage 1 kit on one some time ago and it did go a lot better but the gearbox failed after two weeks!
Changing cams will narrow the power band of the engine and raise it which wont match the gearing and change points of the gearbox making it not nice to drive! performance cams should be fitted in conjunction with a flowed cylinder head and stage 1 kit to get the best from them but the gearbox wont let you enjoy it!
There is another way of tuning these thats more effective and reliable we offer a while you wait tuning service where we install a custom carb needle profile and modfied distributor which improves drivability and will make the engine give its best in standard form, mini autos left the factory with purposely weaker needle settings and soft igntion advance in order to reduce engine power to try and increase gearbox life, a lot of cars suffer with low top speed, hot running and poor drivability with these factory settings, and weve found these mods improve the drive without comprimising the gearbox too much and should be considered the limit of modifications, cost effective as well at £95 for the session!
Another way would be to try and source a 1275 auto from a metro or late classic mini these benefit from a slightly different and stronger gearbox and will have a lot more performance as standard.
Cheers,
AndyMLM Nice to get honest advice and not an attempt to draw £££s from your wallet Here's a couple of pics anyway so you can see the difference from the first ones!!      |
|
