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My new project - 1975 Mini Pickup
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richardlw



Joined: 08 Jun 2009
Posts: 138

PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 12:09 am    Post subject: My new project - 1975 Mini Pickup Reply with quote

Now that I'm enjoying driving my fully restored Corvair, it was time for a new project.
So here it is, a 1975 Morris Mini Pickup, badly abused, but it is mine now and I'll be posting my progress regularly to my site.
http://www.widman.biz/Mini/English/index.html
[img]http://www.widman.biz/Mini/English/index.html[/img]
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peter scott



Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7113
Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 1:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Richard,

At first sight of your photo in your webpage I thought "Gosh! That is subtly modified in many more ways than just and engine and bumper swap." http://www.widman.biz/Mini/English/index.html

If printed with normal aspect ratio it doesn't look quite so scary.

I think you just flattened it a bit to fool us. Very Happy

Are you going to convert it back to the BMC engine etc?

Peter



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Peter_L



Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Posts: 2680
Location: New Brunswick. Canada.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Perhaps there is a fetish for shoehorning Suzuki engines into Minis.

No obvious stretch marks. A fascinating radiator layout.

Cable clutch ? and would this conversion fit into a RHD Mini, after some changes to the braking system.

http://www.nemomini.org/nemo/nemoweb_gallery.cfm?event_type=e&event_id=63748

Scroll down to 3rd row for photo.

Can we see under your hood/bonnet and where does the exhaust pipe go ?

Great project for an idle Sunday afternoon... love it !!
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richardlw



Joined: 08 Jun 2009
Posts: 138

PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 2:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I only shot one from the top, since I'm going to pull it and go stock or close. I just came to the city today since the internet died Sunday in my town. Tomorrow I'll bring the camera and shoot some more pics before I pull the engine. Basically the exhaust comes out the front and doubles back.
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richardlw



Joined: 08 Jun 2009
Posts: 138

PostPosted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I didn't realize at first that the program was going to compress the picture into a set size.

Today I pulled the Suzuki engine out and found out how badly cut up the subchassis is. He apparently went wild cutting, then reinforcing what was left. Still couldn't keep the left front wheel holding any weight.






Cut the axles to fit


And the struts as well


Added lots of steel to make up for it


But we gave it a high pressure bath



The good news is I think I've located a new sub frame and 0.020 rebuilt 1300 cc engine with a cooper s transmission.
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Peter_L



Joined: 10 Apr 2008
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Location: New Brunswick. Canada.

PostPosted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 5:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Richard.

Great photos thanks... Bolivia, just seems so far away..

Please, take this the right way, I know you will work hard and get the pickup restored, but there was/is something fascinating about the Suzuki "conversion". I doubt that I am alone in not been able to do such a conversion because our sensitivity would stop us at every turn.

The raw, crude adaptations have an obscure beauty.

Thanks again for your input and good fortune.

Peter
Winnipeg.
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richardlw



Joined: 08 Jun 2009
Posts: 138

PostPosted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 12:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I know what you mean, and if the conversion had been entirely within the body without sacrificing the suspension, it would have been interesting.
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victor 101



Joined: 03 Apr 2009
Posts: 446
Location: East Yorkshire

PostPosted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wonder what the reaction would be if you took it to a garage for an MOT in the UK.
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Peter_L



Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Posts: 2680
Location: New Brunswick. Canada.

PostPosted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 2:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Victor.......... did you see the state of the suspension, I doubt it would have made the trip.. Wink
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richardlw



Joined: 08 Jun 2009
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 2:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You see why it can't keep 4 wheels on the ground at the same time. With the engine out, the front can lift up, but push on it and the left rear goes up.

Safety inspection here is a joke. I send someone to the police with 12 registration cards and the fee. He comes back a little while later with 12 inspection stickers and certifications.
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bob2



Joined: 06 Dec 2007
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Location: Malta

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 9:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I like mini pickups, it is definately in good hands now judging by your resto on the corvair!
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kevanf1



Joined: 06 Jun 2011
Posts: 21

PostPosted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 9:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So was the 'Frankenstein' creation ever actually driven with that Suzuki engine in it? It must have had some horrible vibrations from the butchered axles by the looks of them. They certainly did not look as though they had been balanced.

Get the old girl back as she should be I say. I don't mean concours by any means just with the proper amount of metalwork and subframe in place with a proper BMC engine and box. It'll be a lot nicer to actually use that way.

Can you tell that I love old minis? Smile Can't abide the new BMW ones though Sad
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richardlw



Joined: 08 Jun 2009
Posts: 138

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 3:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In theory he drove it, but I have no idea how. I haven't gotten much done with it. Too much to do at work, and I added a Renault Ondine to the collection that needs to pass some kind of inspection, so I had to break loose the wheels and suspension on it so at least it would roll.

Here are a few of the new parts that came from Mini Sport (full list on my site)




Back corner patched and measuring for the fender flares


Underside - stripping the sub-chasis



Cleaning the rear sub-chassis to start on the sand blasting.


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richardlw



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PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Finally getting around to posting some progress on this, although it looks like the forum ate many of the previous pics. They are all on my web site.

Last month I sandblasted and painted the rear sub-frame and suspension, then ordered knuckles and bushings from the UK. Those went to Florida, Spokane, New York, and will soon be in Bolivia. 14000 miles.






The body shop finally got moving when I asked where I should take the Renault, since I was progressing faster with the mechanical on it than he was on the body of the Mini. So It now has a new floor.




Still waiting on the engine I bought from Chile.
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JC T ONE



Joined: 30 Oct 2008
Posts: 1139
Location: Denmark

PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 7:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Very Happy

what a nice project you have there Cool did you keep the "chopped" center front piece Question
this has the body number welded on (long thin metal plate, with reverse stamped digits & letters)
it would be nice if it was transferred to the new front, so it could stay with the car.

Many cars loose this, when getting restored .

keep up the good work, and the pictures coming.

Seems like this Corvair/Mini fetish has spread, I know someone here in Denmark, who also had a Corvair, and Mini Wink


Jens Christian
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