The Mini is the icon car that started the small car revolution. There was and is something about driving a Mini, a cheeky quality which today’s breed of ‘superminis’ have found impossible to replicatre. It was an individual car created by an individualist Issigonis. Now it’s something of a cult car and it popularity is soaring.
The British Motor Corporation, created by the merger of Austin and Morris, wanted to create a new small car. It had to be a proper car with four seats.
Issigonis focussed his mind his goal was to the smallest possible car that would still accommodate four adults and luggage. His idea was for a box measuring approximately 10′ x 4′ x 4′ of which 80% would be for passengers and luggage, leaving only two feet accommodate the powertrain. Realsing from the outset that to fit everything into the space he would need to use very small 10″ wheels and all-independent suspension. But the real ingenuity was the concept of using a transverse engine to drive the front wheels via a gearbox built into the sump. It was a revolutionary concept but sheer genius.
The first year’s production (the eight months from May to December 1959) amounted to less than 20,000 cars. Things soon grew to about 200,000 cars per year right through to 1977. Performance enthusiasts became interested in the car in 1961 with the announcement of the twin-carburettor Mini Cooper, followed two years later by the even more potent Mini-Cooper ‘S’. This was the car that put British rallying firmly on the world stage, thanks to Paddy Hopkirk and Henry Liddon’s victory in the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally.
By 1980, the Estate and the staple long-nose Clubman two-door version had disappeared to leave just two variants; the basic City and the plush Mayfair. Both of these were powered by a 40bhp 1.0-litre engine
The Mini finally ceased production in 2000.
In a word “Fun”
Arguably, an affordable classic – .Some say that Minis are noisy (though later ones were better soundproofed), crude, cramped BUT huge fun to drive. They’re still cheap to run and easy to DIY
Minis perky performance; the standard 1.3l would take you from 0 to 60 in a 1.3 takes just over 11 seconds on the way to a top speed of some 92mph, our mini with is upgrades delivers quite a bit more poke.
Our classic Mini Mayfair has been subject to a tasteful customisation and refurbishmemt. The primary upgrades are the engine and gearbox as this now has a 1330cc Morespeed Stage 3 engine and short shift gearbox deliver a BHP of 85-90.
Internally the car has had discrete improvements with wood effect dash, wooden steering wheel and stainless steel door fittings. Now an appreciating classic this car goes well, sounds great and brings a smile to the face of driver, passengers and on-lookers
Engine details
The replacement 1330cc engine (correct on V5) has done approximately 20,000 miles. For those more technically interested please see the following
Bored out +60 pistons
Morespeed phase 3 Cam
Duplex timimg chain
Updated water and oil pumps
Single hiff44 Carb with different needle and K&N filter
Morespeed stage 3 – recently skimmed
Maniflow 3-2-1 exhaust manifold
Recent new 7 spoke fan and radiato
We have reference to this engine being fitted in November 2011 and the gearbox Genuine KAD quickshift
This has now been completely reconditioned both short block and head
Service history
There is a significant file of parts and servicing that dates backs to 1993. This includes old MOTs dating back to 2007. This file needs to be viewed to be appreciated but below are some of the highlights. Clearly the car was subject to modernisation and discrete customisation from 1999 to 2012, with the majority of work in 2011
It would seem that all the previous owners of this little mini have all contributed to its current status with repairs, servicing to modifications and cosmetics
Starter Motor (1997)
New Subframe (1997)
O/s Sill, door step (1998)
Exhaust manifold stainless steel link pipe and box side exit (2000)
Clutch slave cylinder and new clutch assembly (2000)
Thermostat and front shock (2004)
Heater 2-speed (2008)
Water pump (2008)
New Radiator and & 7 spoke fan (2017)
Smiths temperture gauge (2011)
Cosmetics and styling
13″ classic woodrim steering wheel
Wood effect dash
Stainless steel wheel arches
Bonnet stripes- white
Union Jack roof decal
Torpedo wing mirrors
Chrome rocker cover
Arch extensions
De-lux black carpet set
Wipac Halogen driving lights and Cooper lamp brackets
Chrome twin washer
Union Jack – enamel badge
Chrome pancake filter
Alloy throttle pedal
MK2 Cooper Grille
Alloy hand brake grip
MK3 Chrome number plate housing
10″ Minilite alloys
Pod Mount rev counter
Stainless steel interior door handles and window wind
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