Hi all, finally got some time to write about family (bro) coupe.

It travelled to Italy, then.. I'm a little finicky (but otherwise I like to have hands dirty) so begin to clean, modify rear lights.. and now just the bare chassis is sitting on a transpallet

The car was in not so bad conditions, just some surface rust, even in the back there is rust inside open square tubes. I clean it, apply converter and special wax so no problems. An Allspeed subframe for Vauxhall engines comes from Uk but dimensions are not correct to use on Coupe so I cut and weld to proper modify the stuff. Also add some reinforcement and modify to suit single tower bolt/Vauxhall engine. I like to use the car as test for various solutions, so use Butylflex (like Dynamat) as sound deadning an heat shield, then start to work on aerodynamics (at least, the best I can study). So I mould front wheel spats, an air dam, modify the front subframe to have a proper radiator ducting, and will also realize guernesey top of front wheels. Challenge is to run the car with an old Vauxhall 1.3 Ohv! Also studying a nice (hope) dash (original one is missing), realizing new fuel tank with in-tank pump (from a Toyota Corolla 98), 4x100 M12 conversion and so on..
Hope you enjoy, any advice will be precious!

Hi Lux,
A lot of work going on there, it gets harder the more none standard you make it, as there are so many bits to adapt or make
Please keep the pictures coming, it is always good to see how other people do it.
John

Thanks John, I was very busy otherwise I like to upload pics and description step by step. I think (hope so) at the moment I'm at the turning point.. seems I stop to dismantle/clean/paint then start to rebuild - I got no pictures but at the moment I got just the bare chassis on wood haha. Hope in a couple of days to re-install the upgraded front subframe

Like John sais, lots of work going on!
Lots of nice ideas too, great!
I like the wide wheelarches!!
Why did you choose the Vauxhall engine?
I really envy te lots of room you have, I often am with my back against the wall..... literally

Greets from Holland
Harold

My Coupe is outside waiting for the sun to cook me, my little workshop is filled with bikes (5 )
john

hahah really lot of space but.. by friends are there to stock cars inside (mini bec, fisher fury etc)

Wheel arches (if can be interesting for someone) are mini wide arches cut to suit. Car when come to Italy just got wheels about 3 cm outside standard arches. I did my homework so I go for 13x6 et 0 to have the right steering/coilover clearance (quite the same than "original" wheels)
I just got a proper Mini mk3 with 1.6 8v Vauxhall and I find an engine that suits the car very well imho, got 140 bph after some works and for me was enough. Appearance is "old" too, and I try to upgrade also that.



also, same subframes

Welcome to the forum

So that is where that Coupe went. I have to say I quite like the arches even in black! and the wheel style looks different and good.

Neil

Thanks Neil. I will maintan the wheel arches black, also fixed with countersunk bolts. Wheels are old Stilauto Grifo 6 from '79
I was able to start rebuilding of the front subframe, new fuel hoses, new radiator position (will realize sealed aluminum ducts), new lower arms. Quite all since I'm studying to realize crosswise box upper arms but some delay from lathe operator..

things slowly goin'on. I rebuilt the front arms/hubs, front brake lines and so on. Now working on the new fuel tank (with integral fuel pump assembly from an old Toyota Corolla) and radiator mods.






Meanwhile.. I start to cut and fit the new tapestry, also try the mgtf gear selector look. Trying to fit the seats also

I like those seats, who makes them?
Very nice build so far!

They are Westfield race seats, old model (I think they did about 5 or more years ago). With custom seat brackets a little bit less than 6 kgs. A lot comfy imho compared to other race seats.

slowing going on, work do not let me a break.. but

I finally managed the new fuel tank, it's 15/10 steel (a little "heavy" but the car is still for road use - anyhow 4 kg lighter than original one), 31 liters. Swirl pot incorporated (fuel return hose plays as flush inside) the pot. Tank bottom isolated with light dynamat for road/cooland pipes heat.

I also planned to switch from external to internal fuel pump (better cooling and lower noise) and need feed and return since engine will be f.i.
Maybe can be usefull, I search a little and find the Toyota Corolla 1.6 petrol - 1997 complex very compact and tuneable. You can see pictures, piping etc easy to mod. Fuel level sensor is a standard one, I choose to position it lower middle, so "E" will be about 2 liters, and full until 22-23 liters (since usually fuel tanks are shorter) Toyota complex also gets a fuel level sensor (but two wires, so different signal) AND a reserve switch sensor if someone likes.

Toyota oem ring gasket number: 77169-12030 (about 7 euros)

Also playing with coolant pipes, hope next week to finish the front..

half summer news!
Bracing is finished, also new custom carpets and upholstery. Wiring is quite ready, also dashboard. GPS speedo from U.S.









Engine cleared and installed. Gearbox is a CR 3.74, about 212 kph at 6500 rpm. I strip down and upgrade to Quaife LSD.





Now starting to worry about rear subframe/engine etc. Cable gearbox turret is fine and also I was able to arrange a dogleg engagement (due to Vauxhall pattern, reverse is lower left.. less confusing ). Tried and tested with the second MG turret.





Next steps will be custom alternator location/brackets and exhaust system. There is some clearance between 1st cyl to bulkhead, otherwise all the headers will comfy set place to center tunnel enlargement.
Plenum has 5mm clearance inside the boot bulge, but I will modify to shift TB from right to left side, so I hope will be completely inside without any problem.

Alternator sorted!

Clearance is really tight, so I had to test a lot of times. but here the final result, I hope can be usefull for anyone with Vauxhall addiction.

Square tube added to Allspeed subframe engine mount, the other bracket custom made to use two existing threaded holes. Classic Suzuki smart alternator, adjusting bracket from some scavenging.

Clearance about 20 mm all around the coupe rear lower triangle. Need to be inserted after subframe fitting. Belt calculated about 690 mm in middle position.

Slowly slowly but keep goin'

I take some measures with engine in etc, very tight spaces for all the stuff, otherwise at the very end I move engine center of gravity about 80 mm forward and 20 mm lower than mini one. I dedice to realize a custom header to accomodate proper primary lenghts and exhaust dimensions. A 30 hours battle but finally happy!







some extra shielding (3 layers of Butylflex)