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helped me get copies of the Austin Mini-Cooper Body (AKD 3510) and Mechanical (ADK 3509) Service Parts Lists. John has a super library of English car manuals. These illustrated lists have been most valuable in helping identify all the parts; both what I have and missing. They also give good insight as to how the sheet metal parts are formed and attached. The significant other might be slightly bending as she got me several Mini books for my birthday. The book Essential Mini Cooper by Anders Ditlev Clausager gives a brief discussion of Mini history and contains several nice pictures of original Cooper detail. This should assist me in getting the body back to a semblance of correct (structurally and esthetically). The Illustrated History of the Works Minis in International Rallies and Races by Peter Browning reads like a war history. One interesting fact was that a particular Mini registration number might have appeared on four car configurations (meaning multiple body and engine changes) so to make this car correct from an originaitiy perspective would be a challenge. Chris Harvey's book The Mighty Minis has lots of history, plenty of pictures, and excellent sections on buying, restoring, and racing a Mini. |
So I started ordering parts. Mini Mania had a rare 997+.030 pistons and brake pads. I tried ordering from Mini City Ltd. but they had none of what i wanted in stock. I ordered a catalog from Seven Enterprises Ltd. (Virginia) who had sponsored the Fortech racing Mini. Their catalog, with a 1995 issue date, is very well illustrated and comprehensive. I got sheet metal from HP Motor Sports in Omaha to begin the body repair. Mide Ashbaugh had a Mini some years ago and may have a few parts hidden away. Called Bert's foreign repair in Fort Dodge, Iowa. His father had an English car salvage yard twenty years ago but he still has a lot of MG spares. I got an MGA 1622 and and Sprite 1098 big main bearing engines from him on trips back from the "June Sprints". Bert told me to contact Davis Walker in DesMoines -- I am following up on the lead. I met Corky Swanson several years ago at the Quad City all English car show. I think he has an ex-works Mini rally car and knows of parts. Peter Zekert wrote me providing two pieces of advice. Join the Madmen (Karl Starch in Missouri). The significant other informs me that whatever this organization does she will have absolutely no problem getting me any number of reference letters if that's what is required to join. |
She asked if Frank Sifranic was already a member. Second, find a friend in the Mini parts business (he pointed me towards Jack Holdaway in California). I've crewed for Peter at the SCCA Runoffs at Mid-Ohio and I've always been impressed by his multitude of acquaintances and abilities to locate tough to find parts. To tube or not to tube? When sills are off and holes exist in the floors is probably the best time to make the decision on whether the mini is to be street driven or a GT-5 racer. I toiled with this one as all I have done for the past eleven years is build and prepare club racers. From that early June in 1966 when I first experienced racing at Road American at Elkhart Lake and joined SCCA I've been pretty singular in thought. |
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