Project Mini: 1961 Morris Mini Minor

[supersonic]

Wow, that's quite the powerful setup in that mini. I wonder where it is now.

Bought some rustoleum products to help scrape off rust from the car. Just to motivate me to look at it every day and continue working.

Made the mistake of replying to a Facebook post asking for parts, now I've spent the last hour trying to explain to people that I'm not a dealer and do not in fact have prices on hand for parts they are asking me about. I have a lot of parts. But they're not for sale to the highest bidder. They're for friends, so let's become friends before you go on asking me how much my friendship is worth in ruppees.

[msabbasi]

I too wonder where it is now. Most probably it has suffered the same fate as your Mini

You have a huge task ahead of you. You are on the right path, granted, a long one. Just don't loose heart. I have a Haynes Mini workshop manual which covers cars from 1969 to 1991. I bought it to help me with my old 1275 GT. If you need help with any technical stuff, I could upload relevant pages here. There are many difference between your '61 and the cars covered in the manual but then again there are many things that remained unchanged.

[supersonic]

I have the Haynes manual for the mk1. A friend gave me a copy. I also have two newer cars that use the newer manual.

Saw a clubman the other week. Not original engine. Jehlum number. Rusted badly. Owner asking a decent chunk of change for the car. Thinking whether or not to make it a 1275GT.

[msabbasi]

I have the Haynes manual for the mk1. A friend gave me a copy. I also have two newer cars that use the newer manual.

Ok. That's good. Clubman shape is less desirable compared to your Mk1.

[supersonic]

I don't care for appearance. I car for function. If the 1275GT is a better engine, then that's a better choice for ripping through Lahori traffic. Provided it still has the dry suspension and not the hydrolastic one. Maintenance is the only issue there. Otherwise I'd love to try the hydrolastic setup.

[supersonic]

As it lies today after being battered by rain, unprotected, hopefully for the last time.

[msabbasi]

The 1275 is pretty peppy. I speak from experience. Can't say anything about the 1275 with a single carb setup. With the twin carbs (I had the twin carb synchronization tool) to get them to work in harmony with each other is absolutely essential. Once done right, the idle is very sweet and the engine revs just right no bald spots.

Hydrolastic suspensions are OK provided that the correct fluid be used and and the pump to fill the system and that it has no leaks. But a bit of a nuisance to deal with in Pakistan. My 1275 GT had solid rubber cones. They were a bit bouncy but not uncomfortable. Boy it did fly when pushed and would zip in and out of gaps in the traffic. Very enjoyable.

[supersonic]

I looked albeit half-heartedly for a twin carb setup in Canada. Didn't follow up the one solid lead I got. But I'll try and bring them next time. Although a bigger single HS4 carb is also plenty in my 1989 auto. 150kph on the motorway for as long as you'd want. Sits there happy, revving at 5500rpm. But it is an A+ engine and not the older A series. Needed some cooling tweaks because the crank operated fan want enough. Installed electric auxiliary after that trip and yet to re-test.

[msabbasi]

I too fitted an electric fan on top the mechanical one. I had issues when stuck in Karachi traffic on the way back from work near Clock Tower. My office was in West Wharf.

[supersonic]

Used this to convert some rust that had formed on the surface. Liking the results. Going to contact the company I got it from for more.

Is anyone else using rust converters? Please post pictures of yours.

[msabbasi]

This is good stuff. I used it professionally when I was working in Saudi Arabia. The one I used was a Swiss brand. Can't remember its name. Basically, it chemically transforms iron oxide (rust) to iron phosphate. So one is not supposed to "clean" the rusty area. It goes on white and when it has done its job, it turns black. One can paint over it but my guess is that some sort of primer would be needed.

[osk89]

Is there any update on this project?

[saad2006]

@supersonic Any updates ?

[pwuser159522038963]

Yes. But no pictures of said updates. Are you restoring one yourself too?

[saad2006]

Are you restoring one yourself too?

No, I have never restored a car

[zainchaudhary460]

Is there any austin mini for sale plz contact me m looking for mini 03345877143

[zainchaudhary460]

If u still have this car in any condition plz contact me 03345877143 I want to buy

[nagaraja]

Is this car still available?? It is one of my favorite I have ever seen.