Classic Mini 1330cc

A British Icon – 1330cc rebuilt engine

The Mini is the icon car that started the small car revolution. There was and is  something about driving a Mini, a cheeky quality which today’s breed of ‘superminis’ have found impossible to replicate. It was an individual car created by an individualist Issigonis. Now it’s something of a cult car and it popularity is soaring.

The British Motor Corporation, created by the merger of Austin and Morris, wanted to create a new small car. It had to be a proper car with four seats.

Issigonis focussed his mind his goal was to the smallest possible car that would still accommodate four adults and luggage. His idea was for a box measuring approximately 10′ x 4′ x 4′ of which 80% would be for passengers and luggage, leaving only two feet accommodate the powertrain. Realising from the outset that to fit everything into the space he would need to use very small 10″ wheels and all-independent suspension. But the real ingenuity was the concept of using a transverse engine to drive the front wheels via a gearbox built into the sump. It was a revolutionary concept but sheer genius.

The first year’s production (the eight months from May to December 1959) amounted to less than 20,000 cars. Things soon grew to about 200,000 cars per year right through to 1977. Performance enthusiasts became interested in the car in 1961 with the announcement of the twin-carburettor Mini Cooper, followed two years later by the even more potent Mini-Cooper ‘S’. This was the car that put British rallying firmly on the world stage, thanks to Paddy Hopkirk and Henry Liddon’s victory in the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally.

By 1980, the Estate and the staple long-nose Clubman two-door version had disappeared to leave just two variants; the basic City and the plush Mayfair. Both of these were powered by a 40bhp 1.0-litre engine

The Mini finally ceased production in 2000.

Even more fun having originally been uprated and now recommissioned

Arguably, an iconic classic – that sounds and drives as good as it looks

Typically Minis ‘perky performance;  the standard 1.3l  would take you from 0 to 60 in a 1.3 takes just over 11 seconds on the way to a top speed of some 92mph, BUT our mini with is upgrades delivers quite a bit more poke.

This classic Mini Mayfair has been subject to a tasteful customisation and refurbishment. The primary upgrades are the engine and gearbox as this now has a 1330cc Morespeed Stage 3 engine and short shift gearbox deliver a BHP of 90+ (though not tested on rolling road) . This engine as has been rebuilt both block and head

Internally the car has had tasteful  improvements with wood effect dash, wooden steering wheel and stainless steel door fittings. Now an appreciating classic this car goes well, sounds great and brings a smile to the face of driver, passengers and on-lookers

Engine details

The replacement 1330cc engine (correct on V5) has done approximately 20,000 miles. For those more technically interested please see the following. This has now been rebuilt by Scholar Engines – please see pictures. The engine has undergone reconditioning both on the head and block including new rings/cranks etc, skimmed head, other mechanicals such as new master cylinders.

• Bored out +60 pistons
• Morespeed phase 3 Cam
• Duplex timimg chain
• Updated water and oil pumps
• Single hiff44 Carb with different needle and K&N filter
• Morespeed stage 3 – recently skimmed
• Maniflow 3-2-1 exhaust manifold
• Recent new 7 spoke fan and radiator

Service history

There is a significant file of parts and servicing that dates backs to 1993. This includes old MOTs dating back to 2007. This file needs to be viewed to be appreciated but below are some of the highlights. Clearly the car was subject to modernisation and discrete customisation from 1999 to 2012, with the majority of work in 2011

It would seem that all the previous owners of this little mini have all contributed to its current status with repairs, servicing  to modifications and cosmetics

• Starter Motor (1997)
• New Subframe (1997)
• O/s Sill, door step (1998)
• Exhaust manifold stainless steel link pipe and box side exit (2000)
• Clutch slave cylinder and new clutch assembly (2000)
• Thermostat and front shock (2004)
• Heater 2-speed (2008)
• Water pump (2008)
• New Radiator and & 7 spoke fan (2017)
• Smiths temperture gauge (2011)

Cosmetics and styling

• 13″ classic woodrim steering wheel
• Wood effect dash
• Stainless steel wheel arches
• Bonnet stripes- white
• Union Jack roof decal
• Torpedo wing mirrors
• Chrome rocker cover
• Arch extensions
• De-lux black carpet set
• Wipac Halogen driving lights and Cooper lamp brackets
• Chrome twin washer
• Union Jack – enamel badge
• Chrome pancake filter
• Alloy throttle pedal
• MK2 Cooper Grille
• Alloy hand brake grip
• MK3 Chrome number plate housing
• 10″ Minilite alloys
• Pod Mount rev counter
• Stainless steel interior door handles and window wind

The front floor pans have just been replaced and as for exterior Bodywork; she has been part resprayed being the roof, two new front wings, new front panel and new A panel

The car has a new MOT