It was never meant to be a project!!

[silverbullet 96]

Having owned my mini for nearly 3 years now, i was thinking that the car has changed quite significantly since the day I bought it.

Having read everyones project threads I feel inspired to "document" my minis transformation albeit a little retrospectively, If i cant remenber anything, I am sure my bank statements will remind me .

We bought our mini 3 summers ago from a good guy in Växjö. Lets say it was an exciting trip home to Malmö, as i had never driven on the "wrong" side of the road before.

The mini was intended to be our daily car, but we soon started to fall in love with it, and used it as a "fun" car. I didnt really know much about cars, but owning a mini it has been a steep learning curve.

I dont know why i wanted a mini from the start. I am Scottish so minis where quite familiar to me as a child. I have a vivid memory of getting wet feet in my mums mini when she drove through a puddle!!

So anyway.. we took ownership of a 1996 "silver bullet" edition. 400 made for the german market. It just preceded the MPI sports packs and shared some features.

Here is the mini as I bought it on our first outing....


My girlfriend pretending she can drive!


Struggling to navigate around Skåne...

[silverbullet 96]

Next came simple additions 4 spot/fog lights.




You will note a set of winter tyres on the mini....

Big mistake, I used the mini over a winter = RUST, RUST and RUST













Not too bad though, caught it just in time. The mini went to get the rust seen to and a respray.

[silverbullet 96]

Respray done just before the Summer of 2010!

I then fitted a set of new rubber cones a set of non-genuine hilos , really wish I hadn't been such a snål skotte and bought genuine ones.

We then set of on our monster trip ----



Spent about 3 weeks away.

Took the opportunity while in England and had some things fitted to the mini!






Got the mini on minisports rolling road 73BHP

We also had a couple of mishaps:
- Exhaust mount snapping on the autobahn
- Huge problems with electrics burning out (had to spend 2 days in a nice little place called leamington spa, while the car was repaired.
- Problems with the SPI system.

We made it home and on the way back managed this -

[silverbullet 96]

Managed to visit a mini show in England -

[silverbullet 96]

So home safe and sound started to fit some extras to the exterior -

Over rider
corner bars
Bonnet straps





I found a roof rack on Blocket for 500, spent some time polishing it and then added some wooden ribs stained the colour of my steering wheel -





And in use -

And the outcome -

[silverbullet 96]

I spent some time with the geometry of the mini (camber/caster/track)

Lowered the car added these -

Then hit a rock which was lying in the middle of of the road .... cracked a wheel and almost a sump!





Car was fixed - THEN...........





I crashed the car into the bloody garage door.

Car was fixed by Steve and collegues at English car care in Löddeköping. Higly recommended .

New bonnet, the rest was fixable and the front end resprayed!







I wish I could say that was the last time I crashed into my own garage last summer. Unfortunately it wasn't . If you note the slope into the garage. One day I drove out of the garage, and forgot to put the hand brake on. I went to close the garage door and was quickly followed by my mini. I tried with all my strength to push it back up but I hadn't had my spinach that day. Well the mini crashed backwards into the garage . Wasnt too bad, only a new door needed. I trip to Ola in Växjö sorted that out. Cheers OLA.

[Runken]

Kanon project tråd, intressant läsning å mycket bra bilder.
Kojan din ser riktigt bra ut

[silverbullet 96]

Some minor jobs on the mini since then, radias arm repaired. Various SPI sensors replaced to fix the high emissions.


Oh and my xmas gift last year -





Was terrifying drillling holes into shiny wings, but i went for it!





Failed the beskinting this year on balljoints, which are being fixed this week.

And now UP To DATE.

I have began to get really tired of the 13x7 wheels. I wanted a more retro look. I decided on 10" wheels. ALthough as my wheel arches (bullet arches) are so wide, there arent any "mainstream" wheels which would fill them.

I did find a set of wheels on one of the Japanese webshops. Genuine minilite 10X6 but with a Et -15. They are only sold in Japan.
But I was lucky as minilite are casting these wheels now.

The wheels -

As i am changing to 10" wheels i need suitable brakes. I couldn't confirm whether or not minisports 7.9" calipers would work. So I went with a set of 7.5" 'cooper S' 4 pots -



There has been alot of hassle with minilite with my order, i ordered 9 weeks ago. the wheels have been sent though!

My old brakes and wheels will be for sale shortly ......

[silverbullet 96]

The first polish the year---







Future plans.... still dreaming about a Specialist Components 7 port head with fuel injection


http://www.twinkam.co.uk/shop/article_S ... 216.001%26

[heemini]

The car is beautiful, Craig!
So you went for 10" after all Looking forward to seeing the result.
Keep up the good work!
Cheers !
/Lasse

[blacksaabrules]

Det här var kul, din bil är så himla fin. Lycka till med framtida projekt.

/ Erik

[Hylsan]

Håller med, det är en fin bil du har. Hoppas jag får tummen ur och får se den in flesh

[silverbullet 96]

Thanks for all the nice comments!

Pictures to follow with new brakes and 10" wheels!

[silverbullet 96]

Brakes now fitted!

And most importantly wheels are on!!!!!!

[blacksaabrules]

Ha ha, coolt!
Attans så små och söta kojorna blir med 10" hjul.

/ Erik