Mini Minus Build Blog

NWS ***Y The Future?

A couple of months back, well just after the Last MOT in May, and again having to patch up the rusting shell of NWS, I got to thinking about GRP bodied Mini's. I have toyed with the idea of having ago at restoring the steel shell, but my welding skills are limited and to get it done professionally will cost £6,500 +.

So I started to look into getting my hands on a GRP shell and I came across the Mini Minus Register's website; www.miniminus.co.uk , and I liked what I saw. Having a quick look back through some of my old mini magazines I found a couple of these things featured and they looked good. So instead of restoring the steel shell and spending thousands getting it fixed up, only for it to start rusting again, I can spend thousands on making it go faster......!

The initial specification for the car goes something like this, a A+ engine bored out by 20 – 40 thou, fast road spec, with a super charger (possibly from either Jon speed or Mini speed), a 5 speed straight cut gearbox (Mini Spares), adjustable ride height suspension, adjustable suspension geometry all round, twin tanks, wide steel wheels (www.wide-wheels.com ), a Webasto sun roof, a 60’s GT car inspired interior, including a dash using original cooper 3 dash clocks and gauges, leather seats and door panels and painted in black (Kustom Flatz so it looks like it is still in primer), with red pin striping, red wheels and the odd bit of chrome.

Initially it appeared that these shells were no longer being manufactured, but they did appear to come up on e-bay regularly, unfortunately as is the way when these opportunities arise I did not have enough money and since I have got some money, none have appeared on e-bay for some time.

But fortunately these shells are now being reproduced by a guy called Sean at twotofour1 engineering, who is very helpful and at the moment is happy to answer any stupid questions I may have. They are selling the shells for £2225.00, they are also available through ABS Motor Sport on their website www.absmotorsport.net/minus-bodyshell-p-5133.html , for slightly more (£2300.00), but this site you get a couple of pictures of the shell.

There are a couple of hurdles to jump through to get the car on the road and legal, the possibility of a SVA test or more probably the Basic IVA test, which will be introduced in April 2009. Then there is the registration of the car and hopefully retaining an age related plate. As this will essentially in the eyes of VOSA become a kit car, and will need to be registered with a Q plate unless I can retain at least two components of the donor car, as defined by VOSA as; the engine, transmission, suspension (front & back), steering assembly and the axles (both).

Useful websites:

Registering vehicles
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/RegisteringAVehicle/DG_10014246

SVA notes
www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/importsapproval/thesinglevehicleapprovalscheme