Hi

I have always wanted to build my own car and have had plans for a S3 seven for many years but I have some reasons for wanting to do something a bit different.

Part of my problem is that I have been collecting mini bits for years while getting my cooper S restored and would like to use these. I also like FWD cars as I think the front engined front drive layout is both fast and safe handling and also simple to package.

After looking at a Terrapin layout I think I want to go even more simple and my idea is this - design a simple but strong space frame that can take mini subframes front and back. A mini has pretty straight sides so this could be clad with aluminium sheet like a locost. This would then just need a fibreglass front and rear to complete and can be had from various suppliers. The link below shows a bit what I am thinking but by keeping front engined and mini based it will be very simple.

https://www.16vminiclub.com/forum/builds/rover-builds/23306-meet-the-terramin/page4

Of course this idea would allow fitment of a raft of upgrades like rear beam type suspension, z cars front subframes etc.

Think this is maybe the idea you came up with ?

As for upgrades, think Honda twin-cam in the back.

Other than engine in the wrong place, driving the wrong wheels, an aluminium clad open spaceframe instead of an enclosed fibreglass monocoque.

I only have some rough sketches at the moment as I am gathering subframe dimensions and the level of detail/cad is very good on this site so I need to get modelling

[Edited on 22/8/20 by bike_nut]

Have you seen the old Autotest minis competing?

There are some photos of some on here:
- https://car-from-uk.com/sale.php?id=40113&country=uk
- http://www.minimayhem.org.uk/autotest.htm
- http://testslanesandtrials.blogspot.com/2015/11/debut-win-for-mooney.html


They usually keep the front end almost intact, then simplify the rest of the body to low side panels and rear wheel cover, 2 seats, etc. Looks great fun, and pretty good at autotesting i think!

I'm sure there was a kit version called something like Domino, or Pimlico, or something like that.

I often think that with a few little front drive hot hatches, ditch a few hundred kg of weight, lower suspension, lowered seat, chop off some bodywork, and a hot hatch will suddenly be a lot hotter, and probably easier than a full on build of a spaceframe car!

Don't get me wrong, i have a nearly built MK Indy in the garage, so still love the original locost, but some other layouts & approaches look good fun too!

Ad

Couple of mini based buggies from the seventies just link the front and rear subframes together with a basic frame made from 60x40mm box section.

There are also a couple of Mini based trikes with a space frame and a front subframe, could also be very easily turned into a fwd sevenesque.

There is also a Onyx Bobcat/ Firecat which had controversial looks but is what you describded.

Try the maximummini blog of Jeroen Booij for inspiration.

A lot have been done before when it comes to Minis

Google or search Amzon High Speed Low Cost by Alan Staniforth

Thanks for the replies - I have seen most of those cars and have both the books but I had not seen the onyx bobcat, only the fiat based firefly.

I would get a Midas MK2 if I could find one as that at least looks good (in my opinion) but most of the kits are very err unusual shall we say whereas a mini speedster is lovable.



I did think of a 3 wheeler but the same way but if I can make the frame modular it gives the option of rear engined much like a z-car mini. Or twini?

Basically you want to build a space frame Mini roadster.

I think you addressed all the points in the design and the way forward, so please start a build thread.

The Biota is another old Mini kit to have a look:

https://biota.jouwweb.nl/

Although being a trike the Mosquitto Triad is for studying for the front end:

http://mosquito-triad.com/index.html

Thank you for those pictures. The mosquito and similar Curley trike always looked dangerous to me and I found some interesting pictures. The bit of extra weight for a proper roll over bar and proper harnesses seem a good idea to me.

I am starting at the rear and working forward while looking for a suitable donor to measure.

I guess you already have the subframe dimensions?

Yes, a MSA spec roll over bar is a wise addition.

The only other thing to look for is a collapsible steering column for IVA, the Mini one doesn't collaps.

Have you seen info on the Landar R6 for inspiration: http://landar.org/landar.html

Also Allan Staniforth's Terrapin racing cars get a mention above, worth noting there was a two seater sports racer design as well as the better known single seaters - both used Mini drivetrain in the rear. Plans still available. See: https://jawfish.proboards.com & http://www.terrapinracing.co.uk/about.html

Cheers
Mike

[Edited on 30/8/20 by Mike Wood]

I am in contact with Clare to buy some terrapin plans as I love the concept but it is a track only car. The car in my first post is built around the 2 seater version (Mk5)

The Landar cars are lovely looking things as is the unipower but I am trying to avoid having to do a body like those, a step too far for my artistic skills or resources.

The status mini power has a chassis similar to a 7 but apparently it was very complex in the detail of the suspension etc. The nota fang is also along those lines and was said to be going to get lotus 19 style body, a very nice car to model it after. That and the 18 are some of my favourite lotus cars. I am trying to capture some of those elements but by using existing mini fibreglass fronts and looks keep development time and cost down.

I also have those chassis jig drawings for the mini and they give most of the info but subtle details like the angle the subframe towers tilt back are missing. Could I assume it's the castor angle so 3 to 3.5deg?

Thanks for all the suggestions

[img]https://photos.app.goo.gl/6uEfyBiMyfodmytk7[/img]

Been a while, progress slowed as I was busy with work etc and don't have a car to measure off so I swapped to a 1/24 scale model just to lay out the basics.


[img]https://photos.app.goo.gl/d5AnhBwfuDz5bM889[/img]