Inspiration & Influences

It’s been a long time in between posts, I apologise (not that anyone is following this yet), I have however been busy........... and not just with work.

Not a lot of progress has been made; I have got the space to start stripping the car, but have yet to move it to its new home. It looks like it will happen at Easter or maybe even in May just after my birthday due to work commitments.

But, I have been spending my free time productively, well looking at mini magazines, and the odd website trying to work out what the finished car will look like.

So I thought I would attempt to explain or expand on my initial inspiration and influences.........

I have always liked the Radford converted cars of the 60's and have recently found a couple of images to illustrate the blog with.....

I also stumbled across this, which is a BMC concept car (if only they had built them) and only one of the three built to survive........

Which has then lead me onto thinking about the style of the car, its "look".......... and I got to thinking about the GT Cars (Grand Tourer's) of the 60's and one of the best (well the best British Sports/GT) The e-type Jag:

but more realistically...............I have narrowed it down to making it look like a Mk1 Mini as much as possible, with additional subtle (ish) modifications.

Searching through some Old Mini Magazines I remember seeing a Grey MK1 Cooper Replica, that just sat right, looked right and was well detailed.

Then there was a pair of Fiesta Yellow Mk1 Coopers S's, again just simple Mk1 styling with period accessories they looked quick and subtly modified but so understated.

Mark Deakin's Tuned Cooper Replica, Tweed Grey
Mini Magazine December 2004 pgs 8 - 13.

Len Barlow & Barry Long's Cooper S Twins, in Fiesta Yellow

Mini Magzine February 2006 pgs 42 - 47

In a slightly more recent edition there was a French Mini Tuning companies Mini featured, Automobiles BMC Shorting Break

www.auto-bmc.com/abmc/

Yes I know it looks like a Sports Pack. But, it does have some interesting features.

Namely the rear doors, the fuel tank location and the rear folding seat mechanism. So with a little imagination, a hatchback design does work, and the Mini can have a nice big rear load bay ideal for carrying luggage on long trips, no need for a matching trailer, therefore no (extra) speed restrictions!

Looks alot like an e-type Jag........... if you squint a bit....ok, ok, ok alot......or though the bottom of an empty cyder glass! (the latter happens to me alot more than it should).

Bingley Hall BMC Show

At last my search for parts could begin..........the first show of the '09 season was upon us. I had a couple of quid to spend and a small list of essential parts to find and an even longer list of non-essential parts.

Show was good, absolutely packed......... according to BMC website it was the busiest ever! Some interesting minis on display on the BMC stand including a Paul Smith MPi in the £1 raffle, alongside a covered special guest that was later revealed to be an un-registered Mini 30 Special Ed with only 12 miles (valued at about £15k).............. to be raffled later on in the year at £2 a ticket.

The weather was cold and it was a fair old trek from Home upto Stafford County Show Ground, but we made it through the rain to arrive at a very soggy car park, with a couple of cars getting well and truly stuck...luckily not me!

Auto Jumble as always at mini show's not that extensive (sorry used to being dragged around Classic Bike Show auto jumble stalls by my dad........when he goes to Stafford the jumble stands take up the whole of the car parking site that was used for the mini show and they have to park in the fields opposite the main show ground site!) but I did manage to snuffle out a dry rear subframe, with radius arms (in full working order and not siezed) that looks ok. I've not had the chance to give it a good look over but for £35 you can't go too far wrong saw one on e-bay for £200............. bargain!

So I am currently feeling very pleased with myself! (all the way up until I find out the thing's bent and twisted out of alignment and more rotten than the one thats on the mini already).