Description
1978 Mini 850 (now 1293cc). Tax exempt. MOT exempt. Kept in heated garage and used sparingly since restoration.
Body | Mk4 shell (continuous roof gutter - no cut-outs at the corners - a nice feature, rather than later cars with cut-outs at the corners being visible, or needing to be covered with a plastic trim). Also the steel on this year and earlier seems thicker and less rust prone than later cars.
Restoration | Light restoration in 2002 including British Motor Heritage (BMH) front panel, A-panels, front wings, lower rear panel (all done properly, factory spec spot welding). Also rear valence, boot floor repair section & outer sills. Inner sills, floor & cross member are solid & original including factory carpet 'poppers'. Exterior repainted in original Inca Yellow (glass removed, then refitted with new rubber seals). Underfloor & rear subframe waxed, under arches and sills painted body colour. Avonbar premium quality fibreglass 'Group 2' wheel arch extensions fitted with stainless steel bolts. Stainless steel bumpers & grille.
Engine | MED built 1293cc A+ engine, +20 Omega pistons, MED road competition cylinder head, 11 stud, Stainless steel 36mm inlet valves, 30mm exhaust valves, 3 angle valve seats, Kent 276 camshaft, Lightened flywheel & backplate, Pre-verto clutch, Dynamically balanced, Inertia starter, 13 row oil cooler, HIF44 Carburettor, Aldon Yellow distributor, Facet electric fuel pump & pressure regulator. Maniflow twin box exhaust system and Long Centre Branch (LCB) manifold with large centre pipe, Special Tuning 2 core radiator & Kenlow electric fan (only needed in traffic on hot days and holds correct temperature without any issues). Always run on Shell V-Power (high octane, no ethanol). Carb tuning, distributor and rolling road set-up by the late great Peter Baldwin (legendary Mini racer) who declared it 'a good one'. Roughly 20, 000 miles since engine and gearbox built. Serviced annually (despite very low mileage over recent years) with genuine oil filter & Valvoline Racing VR1 20W-50 (recommended by MED and good for pushrod/ rocker engine configurations due to high zinc content).
The performance and character of this power unit are worlds apart from a standard 1275cc engine, with much sharper response (due to lightened rotating components) and approaching double the power output (due to modified cylinder head, performance cam and raised compression ratio).
Gearbox | MED built 4 synchro gearbox, rod change, 3. 1 Final Drive, Cross-pin differential, Central oil pickup, KAD quickshift.
Brakes & Suspension | Cooper 'S' 7. 5" front discs + braided stainless flexies throughout, Hi-Lo height adjust units, Avo adjustable dampers, front negative camber lower arms & adjustable tie rods, rear camber/ track adjustable brackets & anti-roll bar. Solid front subframe mounts. Reconditioned rear radius arms, new bushes throughout (suspension, engine steadies etc).
Wheels & tyres | GB 5x10 minilight style alloy wheels, Yokohama A008 165/ 70/ 10 tyres (6mm tread). A great all-round performance tyre, with excellent wet and dry grip, good wear characteristics & low road noise.
Interior | Black leather reclining seats (mounted to accommodate 6'2" driver). Black carpet. 'Eyeball' fresh air vents. Steering column mounted Rev counter. Custom pod housing Water temp, Oil pressure, Oil temp gauges + switches for fan, foglight & fuel pump). Internal bonnet release. TOAD A51S Alarm & Immobiliser.
I've had loads of fun over the last 25 years with this car, and didn't think I'd ever part with it. My wife has never liked it and my kids aren't interested. Why now? We recently welcomed a dog into the family who prefers a more refined ride, so I have decided it's time to move on!
Although MOT exempt I like it checked over regularly, so it is up to date. MOT'd and Serviced 1st August 2024. Ready to enjoy!
Please contact me if you have questions, would like to discuss or arrange a viewing.
