Mini Van Cafe Racer ...

squeakyd
Grease Monkey

Posts: 17

Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 19, 2020 19:40:19 GMT moglite, Harvey, and 4 more like this

Post by squeakyd on Sept 19, 2020 19:40:19 GMT

Hi Guys..thanks for the opportunity to share and be part of a new forum..Some of you may have seen this elsewhere as its only just broke cover since a 3 year restoration...I can go through the resto if anyone wants to see the journey ...A classic Mini Van with a mix of careful upgrades and modifications keeping it a subtle as possible..ish..

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johnnybravo Race Engineer Posts: 1,174	Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 19, 2020 19:45:51 GMT squeakyd likes this Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by johnnybravo on Sept 19, 2020 19:45:51 GMT We are all in for the journey. Post away 😊
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fer4l Moderator Nil illegitimi carborundum Posts: 3,679	Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 19, 2020 19:50:55 GMT squeakyd likes this Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by fer4l on Sept 19, 2020 19:50:55 GMT Yes please that's a firm Amen from me! Look forward to seeing the progress Cheers Matt
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strikey Administrator trust my advice at your peril! Posts: 3,341	Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 19, 2020 19:58:12 GMT squeakyd, andyg16v, and 1 more like this Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by strikey on Sept 19, 2020 19:58:12 GMT its the law to love a mini van , more please.
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grumpynorthener Driver Posts: 8,480	Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 19, 2020 19:59:46 GMT squeakyd likes this Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by grumpynorthener on Sept 19, 2020 19:59:46 GMT I've been ~~watching~~ glued to the build progress on this - stunning build - welcome - really nice to find you on here
	Quote Flat Cap Classic Cars - Specialist Paint & Panel Restoration for all Historic, Vintage & Classic Cars

fer4l Moderator Nil illegitimi carborundum Posts: 3,679	Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 19, 2020 20:03:09 GMT ivan and squeakyd like this Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by fer4l on Sept 19, 2020 20:03:09 GMT Completely fell in love with this one the other day... 🤓
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squeakyd Grease Monkey Posts: 17	Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 19, 2020 20:05:29 GMT ivan, andyg16v, and 1 more like this Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by squeakyd on Sept 19, 2020 20:05:29 GMT Untitled by
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squeakyd Grease Monkey Posts: 17	Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 19, 2020 20:09:59 GMT ivan likes this Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by squeakyd on Sept 19, 2020 20:09:59 GMT Thanks chaps the picture above was pretty much the first time I ventured out to a local car meet ..im still only about 60 miles in so its early days .. Untitled by
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squeakyd Grease Monkey Posts: 17	Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 19, 2020 20:14:05 GMT ivan likes this Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by squeakyd on Sept 19, 2020 20:14:05 GMT And a couple more ... Untitled by Untitled by
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johnnybravo Race Engineer Posts: 1,174	Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 19, 2020 20:32:53 GMT fer4l and squeakyd like this Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by johnnybravo on Sept 19, 2020 20:32:53 GMT Oh. It’s that Mini . Big love for it,you have done a brilliant job on it
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ivan Grease Monkey Posts: 40	Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 19, 2020 21:49:44 GMT via mobile Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by ivan on Sept 19, 2020 21:49:44 GMT Very nice van. I've not seen a grille like that before is it an Austin?
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Plonker Grease Monkey Posts: 23	Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 20, 2020 3:18:19 GMT squeakyd likes this Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Plonker on Sept 20, 2020 3:18:19 GMT My first car was a Mini Van, which most folk can't believe as I'm 6'4" short. Always wanted to put a Jag V12 in the back - the dreams of youth. I would gladly donate a vital organ for your van.
	Quote Born in England, living in Queensland. NP300 and E350CDI on drive in garage respectively.

squeakyd
Grease Monkey

Posts: 17

Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 20, 2020 10:19:47 GMT ivan likes this

Post by squeakyd on Sept 20, 2020 10:19:47 GMT

Sept 19, 2020 21:49:44 GMT ivan said:

Very nice van.

I've not seen a grille like that before is it an Austin?

Thanks Ivan the grille has been the subject of many questions..its from a Aston Martin DB4GT...Obviously cut down to fit the mini..just the outer trim to finish over winter..

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squeakyd Grease Monkey Posts: 17	Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 20, 2020 10:28:52 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by squeakyd on Sept 20, 2020 10:28:52 GMT Couple of in progress shots...in the first picture its clear I'm running with coil spring damping instead of rubber cones..not impressed and I will be changing these in the near future .. Untitled by Untitled by Untitled by
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teaboy
Grease Monkey

Posts: 63

Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 20, 2020 12:31:47 GMT via mobile

Post by teaboy on Sept 20, 2020 12:31:47 GMT

My last Mini van cost me a hundred quid, I ran it for a few years and sold it for one and a half and thought I’d done really well.
That was a long time ago and to be honest I probably did do well.
Let’s say it wasn’t quite as nice as this one which has to be one of the best ones out there.

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morris63 Grease Monkey Posts: 58	Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 21, 2020 12:52:41 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by morris63 on Sept 21, 2020 12:52:41 GMT Love this van - a lesson in how to "do" a period look. I've never had coil springs on any of my old Minis so would be interested in hearing the pitfalls. Is it possibly due to lack of weight in the rear, or something else?
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teaboy
Grease Monkey

Posts: 63

Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 21, 2020 13:20:48 GMT via mobile morris63 likes this

Post by teaboy on Sept 21, 2020 13:20:48 GMT

Sept 21, 2020 12:52:41 GMT morris63 said:

Love this van - a lesson in how to "do" a period look.

I've never had coil springs on any of my old Minis so would be interested in hearing the pitfalls. Is it possibly due to lack of weight in the rear, or something else?

They used rubber cones because they give rising rate ‘springing’.

If you loaded up a standard Mini with four people and luggage and if it had normal springs it would be on the bump stops before you set off.
This doesn’t happen with the rubber.
Issigonis and Moulton knew what they were doing.

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Deleted
Deleted Member

Posts: 0

Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 21, 2020 13:32:38 GMT

Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2020 13:32:38 GMT

The biggest problem with this van is having seen it in the flesh so to speak is it's so dam small compared to how the pictures make it look and the pictures don't do it justice it is such an attractive looker, very very nice all round.

Well done Mark

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Last Edit: Sept 21, 2020 13:33:31 GMT by Deleted

squeakyd
Grease Monkey

Posts: 17

Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 21, 2020 16:17:23 GMT teaboy likes this

Post by squeakyd on Sept 21, 2020 16:17:23 GMT

Sept 20, 2020 12:31:47 GMT teaboy said:

My last Mini van cost me a hundred quid, I ran it for a few years and sold it for one and a half and thought I’d done really well.
That was a long time ago and to be honest I probably did do well.
Let’s say it wasn’t quite as nice as this one which has to be one of the best ones out there.

Thats pretty much the gist of most previous peoples ownership history with a van as they were more or less throw away items and a tool for a daily workhorse..To be honest I never considered restoring one as I've always preferred MK1'S & 2's..this just came about via a friend and as I was looking for a project seemed to make sense to give it a go and see if I warmed to it..

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squeakyd
Grease Monkey

Posts: 17

Mini Van Cafe Racer ... Sept 21, 2020 16:30:34 GMT morris63 likes this

Post by squeakyd on Sept 21, 2020 16:30:34 GMT

Sept 21, 2020 12:52:41 GMT morris63 said:

Love this van - a lesson in how to "do" a period look.

I've never had coil springs on any of my old Minis so would be interested in hearing the pitfalls. Is it possibly due to lack of weight in the rear, or something else?

Thanks Morris appreciate the comments and as of yet its only been to a couple of car meets and its had a fantastic response..Issue with springs is various..they can become unseated in the retaining ring in the front subframe tower by either going over bumpy roads or even by just jacking the car up as they do not have anything to retain them.. the rubber cones fit tightly into the tower ring and stay put..ride wise its very smooth but very bouncy over bumps even with the low ride height..if it was heavier it may improve but not enough so I have some cones already so will replace soon as possible..

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