Details
1970 MINI SPECIAL
Registration No. BUV 212H
Chassis No. XA251 179717A
Engine No. 9FDSAH26050
Dark metallic red with red and black leather interior.
Engine: four cylinder in line, 1380cc; Gearbox: 5 speed manual; Brakes: front discs, rear drums; Suspension: standard independent all round with adjustable shock absorbers. Right hand drive
The Mini, in all its guises, remains one of the all-time classic designs; the little car set new standards of thinking in the motor industry, with such revolutionary ideas as a transverse engine featuring front wheel drive allied to quite remarkable use of interior space. It is testimony to this classic design that, despite first appearing in 1959, 37 years later they still have a huge following. The car evolved from the Mark I through to the Clubman, and a host of variants including the ever so successful Cooper versions as well as Countryman and pick-up.
This is a Mini Special that has been built to an extremely high standard of both craftsmanship and workmanship. The original plan was to recreate the well known "Omar Sharif" car of the '60s, itself a Mini with Mercedes front wings and lights that was specially prepared for the famous actor. Therefore a new body shell was purchased and mated with a pair of Mercedes 200 wings in the body shop, matched appropriately by de-seaming the body, welding the Mercedes wings and then lead loading. This process alone took a great deal of time and preparation and the result is a perfect fit whereby the contours and shape are all very pleasing. The next step was a four stage paint process with a final application of two-pack laquer, which has resulted in a flawless paint finish. The brief for the interior was typical of the high standard that the owner required for the car and the result is both attractive and practical; the front Recaro seats were remanufactured and trimmed with Connolly hide, whilst the rear seat has been rebuilt into individual seats, using a combination of marine ply and reinforced plastic, allowing rigidity and comfort. Again, they have been retrimmed with Connolly leather hide, the whole interior complemented by black Wilton carpeting throughout. A walnut dashboard was fitted and the car has black glass windows, the front being electrically operated. An interesting feature is the lockable stowage boxes under the rear seats. A further feature has been the fitting of air conditioning involving a complex piece of fabrication both within the engine bay and for the interior control mechanism. The final result is a superb air conditioning system as fitted by Rover Japan and one that, amazingly, took one year to decide upon for this car!
The mechanical specification has of course also been hugely uprated with the engine now fitted with an 'S' head and mild Kent S44 cam, producing 100bhp. The gearbox is a Jack Knight 5 speed Helical unit and the car has Cooper S front disc brakes, non servo operated with standard S rear super Minifin drums. The wheels fitted are 6J x 10 Revolution wheels incorporating knock-on type hubs and Dunlop tyres. Even these hubs were specially machined to design and fit. The exhaust system is an L.C.B unit with twin free flow silencers.
The car has travelled a nominal 5,000 miles since its rebuild and took over five years from idea to completion. It has a V5 registration document and current MoT certificate until July 10th 1996, as well as a comprehensive photographic record showing the various stages involved in making the car and typed specification sheets detailing all the work undertaken. This amazing special is in outstanding condition and is now offered for sale at a fraction of the cost that went into the build and design.
Registration No. BUV 212H
Chassis No. XA251 179717A
Engine No. 9FDSAH26050
Dark metallic red with red and black leather interior.
Engine: four cylinder in line, 1380cc; Gearbox: 5 speed manual; Brakes: front discs, rear drums; Suspension: standard independent all round with adjustable shock absorbers. Right hand drive
The Mini, in all its guises, remains one of the all-time classic designs; the little car set new standards of thinking in the motor industry, with such revolutionary ideas as a transverse engine featuring front wheel drive allied to quite remarkable use of interior space. It is testimony to this classic design that, despite first appearing in 1959, 37 years later they still have a huge following. The car evolved from the Mark I through to the Clubman, and a host of variants including the ever so successful Cooper versions as well as Countryman and pick-up.
This is a Mini Special that has been built to an extremely high standard of both craftsmanship and workmanship. The original plan was to recreate the well known "Omar Sharif" car of the '60s, itself a Mini with Mercedes front wings and lights that was specially prepared for the famous actor. Therefore a new body shell was purchased and mated with a pair of Mercedes 200 wings in the body shop, matched appropriately by de-seaming the body, welding the Mercedes wings and then lead loading. This process alone took a great deal of time and preparation and the result is a perfect fit whereby the contours and shape are all very pleasing. The next step was a four stage paint process with a final application of two-pack laquer, which has resulted in a flawless paint finish. The brief for the interior was typical of the high standard that the owner required for the car and the result is both attractive and practical; the front Recaro seats were remanufactured and trimmed with Connolly hide, whilst the rear seat has been rebuilt into individual seats, using a combination of marine ply and reinforced plastic, allowing rigidity and comfort. Again, they have been retrimmed with Connolly leather hide, the whole interior complemented by black Wilton carpeting throughout. A walnut dashboard was fitted and the car has black glass windows, the front being electrically operated. An interesting feature is the lockable stowage boxes under the rear seats. A further feature has been the fitting of air conditioning involving a complex piece of fabrication both within the engine bay and for the interior control mechanism. The final result is a superb air conditioning system as fitted by Rover Japan and one that, amazingly, took one year to decide upon for this car!
The mechanical specification has of course also been hugely uprated with the engine now fitted with an 'S' head and mild Kent S44 cam, producing 100bhp. The gearbox is a Jack Knight 5 speed Helical unit and the car has Cooper S front disc brakes, non servo operated with standard S rear super Minifin drums. The wheels fitted are 6J x 10 Revolution wheels incorporating knock-on type hubs and Dunlop tyres. Even these hubs were specially machined to design and fit. The exhaust system is an L.C.B unit with twin free flow silencers.
The car has travelled a nominal 5,000 miles since its rebuild and took over five years from idea to completion. It has a V5 registration document and current MoT certificate until July 10th 1996, as well as a comprehensive photographic record showing the various stages involved in making the car and typed specification sheets detailing all the work undertaken. This amazing special is in outstanding condition and is now offered for sale at a fraction of the cost that went into the build and design.