My Mini Build

My dad has always been into classic cars and being by his side while repairing classics as well as following him around to various shows and auto jumbles put the car bug in my mind at an early age. Then came that wonderful age when could learn to drive. The mini was the obvious choice as I had lusted over them over the years, I bought my mums little run about mini off her and started learning, I was taken by the way this little car could move, excellent acceleration, tight handling, good looking and easy to fix and obviously the motor racing heritage. I soon came to the decision that more power was requires and the start of my mini rebuild and transformation from a 1000cc Mini City E to a 1293 cc Austin Cooper ‘S’ Rally Replica.

The spec was everything that was allowed to be done until 1973

Engine

1293cc, sports cam, high lift 1.3 ratio rockers, Stage 3 head, Twin HS2 carbs, Sports ignition system, Uprated gearbox with a cross pin differential.

Fuel delivery system

Twin fuel tanks, Electronics fuel pump with additional fuel filters.

Exhaust

LCB down pipe and straight through single upswept back box.

Suspension

Fully adjustable ride height suspension and shock absorbers.

Breaks

7.5 inch Cooper ‘S’ works front bakes and MINIFIN rear drums.

Wheels and tyres

10 inch Mini-light wheels with 165 70 10 Yokohoma A008 tyres

Engine out, engine bay rust treated and preparation of the new breaking servo.

Engine dismantled and the blue printing of the engine can begin.

Block skimmed to provide the correct compression ratio and timing of the new cam.

Head back on with new roller tip 1.3 ration rockers, gearbox fully refurbished and attachedand engine painted in traditional green high temperature paint.

Painting of the new breaking servo housing and the installation of the engine into the newly painted engine bay.