by irlmin » Tue Oct 02, 2012 6:03 pm
Best advice I can give is 'keep it simple' . I would focus on getting your bodywork 100% rust free and get professional help if necessary with bodywork and paint if you don't have the skills yourself , personally I would avoid bodykits and 13" wheels ,I have spent 1/2 my life trying to talk customers out of fitting 13" wheels and almost all that go ahead with it come back and say 'why didn't we listen' . with your bodyshell sorted get your subframes / suspension components cleaned up and painted with a decent black paint and fit new bushes and radius arm kits if necessary . use new stainless bolts / nuts / washers where possible . shocks etc are dependent on projected use and there are lots on the market . you now have a rolling shell fit brightwork and lighting etc , a little tip for lenzes put them in the dishwasher at home and they will look like new . pick a 'theme' for the interior , ie standard or retro or indeed custom again lots of options depending on budget . engine again is dependent on budget and need , ie you can go with anything from an 850 with an unleaded head to a 1.0 with a stage 1 tuning kit to a standard 1.3 and from there its the 'sky' is the limit . as I said keep it simple and make sure stuff like fuel pipes , electrical connections are 100% this will ensure reliability when the car is used . as you are going with the Rally look it makes things easier as regards trim etc and all the items used in the 60s rally cars are still available ie works dash , roll cage etc etc , we are building 2 with that look for customers at present and 'rally' bits are no problem to source .lots of stuff to think about there BUT remember its YOUR Mini and your project and Minis have been modified since launch in 1959 and this is what made them so interesting ,
G