Members Project

Name: Paul Collison Model: Mini Auto test Special Reg : GFW 779K Engine : 1000cc Colour: Red

In November 2003 I found this mini in a very poor condition, it had belonged to my friends daughter, she had it as her first car and she had bent the front, and left it to rot under a tree in the back garden, and that is where it stayed for 3 years. They agreed to let me have it and he knew then what I had in mind.

I started work on it straight away and stripped it back to a rolling shell. My boss Jim was fine about me taking it to work to weld the frame in and cut the roof and back end off. I then strengthened the inner sills.fitted new standard outer sills, fitted tin sheets around the sides, fitted new A panels to the front and a fibre glass front end to keep the weight down. I decided to modify the boot floor to take an aliminium fuel tank, then I had the boot lid rolled and primed the whole car. I called in a favour from a friend who sprayed the top coat on (the only bit I didn't do).

While it was being painted I stipped the engine and gear box and rebuilt them using standard 1000cc bottom end and 1300mg metro top end with a 256 cam, pocketed block, skimmed head and block, it goes extremely well and the best bit that helps is it only weighs half a standard mini. I added alloy wheels when I found the ones I wanted. I enjoy taking Titch to Auto tests which is a cheap pastime and great fun. I also enjoy taking it and my son (Jake) to as many shows as possible. I drive it as much as I can, summer or winter as it is so much fun.