1986 Mini Mayfair
MOT expires July 2016
Bought this at the end of 2007, spent a few years restoring it and got it on the road in mid 2012. Since then I’ve made a few improvements, a rough spec of the car at the moment is:
998 engine, Megasquirt 3 ECU built by Extra EFI, two wideband lambda sensors fitted in LCB manifold, Mpi inlet manifold and injectors, wasted spark ignition using Ford coilpack. Running in sequential injection mode using an optical cam sensor in the distributor. MS3 also has a bluetooth adaptor for use with shadowdash on a tablet or phone.
Radiator moved to front wing with an electric fan controlled by the MS3, had no issues keeping cool last summer.
Quickshift gear selector
Small alternator (one of these Nippon Denso ones from a Daihatsu)
RC40 modified to centre exit
HiLos all round, Gaz adjustable rear dampers, gas dampers on the front, solid mounted front subframe, some extra engine steadies fitted.
Fiesta front calipers with 7.9 inch solid discs.
10x6 Wellers, Falken 165/70 tyres
All interior trim, floor soundproofing and rear seats removed, Fibreglass bonnet with leather straps to hold it down, Plastic rear window as well for extra lightness
Van front panel insert used as a removable grill. Sportspack arches, de-bumpered front and rear.
Rollcentre 6 point bolt in cage, Cobra Monaco bucket seats, 4 point harnesses on cage harness bar, proper cage padding fitted
Foam filled aluminium fuel tank in boot, fuel surge/swirl pot, electric fuel pumps (high and low pressure)
(there’s probably things I’ve forgotten!)
During the rebuild, before I first got it on the road, the following things were done.
All rusty bits sorted and many new panels welded in, from memory front wings, A panels, rear valance, outer sills and jacking points. Underside painted with POR15, stonechip and TetraShutz. Fitted a replacement drivers door from an Mpi (with the side impact bars, the roll cage just wasn’t quite enough!)
New, genuine rear subframe, rebuilt radius arms, replaced front suspension bushes and bearings, rebuilt steering rack.
Rebuilt rear brake cylinders and new brake lines run. Stainless braided lines used on the flexible connections.
New loom made from scratch with blade fuses and relays.
Rebuilt the bottom end of the 998 engine, fitted new oil pump, timing chain tensioner, mounts, radiator,
Repaint with rattle cans, satin black with grey roof. I’m happy with it but it isn’t a shiny concours finish
Also fitted various other bits and pieces as needed.
Since it’s been on the road it’s been used over the summer and it’s mostly stayed in the garage during the winters.
It didn’t have a speedo fitted when I bought it so total miles is unknown. Given the work done total miles is probably irrelevant! It’s done under 1000 miles since I first MOT’d it and most parts have been refurbishing or renewed during the rebuild.
Bad bits (every car has them!)
I re-skinned the passenger door, however I realised much later on that the skin bows in the middle so the seal doesn’t touch the glass. It does leak a little, I’ve used some tape for now. I have a theory some heating/cooling may shrink it into the right shape but haven’t tried yet.
I’ve done what I can with setting up the Megasquirt but I’m no David Vizard. I also don’t have a tame racing driver to help me map it on the fly so have been logging then modding the map offline. It drives fine (a lot better than it was on carbs) but it is a bit rich in some areas and others will need some adjustment of injection timing to balance the AFRs. I also haven’t gone much over 4000rpm yet either so the map there is a bit of an unknown.
I tried using some cabinet locks to hold the bonnet down but they didn’t quite work out. The straps hold it down well enough. It also has some other holes from previous attachment attempts and hasn’t been painted. I was planning on patching the holes and vinyl wrapping it one day.
Struggled getting an idle control valve to play with the MS3, for now I’ve put a simple on/off solenoid valve to add some extra air when cold. I believe this is down to the valve I was using and my own impatience, rather than any issue with the MS3. There is a bracket made up to mount a Bosch T shaped valve.
The headlining was replaced with a sheet of foam backed vinyl sheet, I stuck it to the roof with spray adhesive. I discovered the adhesive melts if you park the car outside on a hot day, causing the vinyl sheet to fall off. I have stuck it back with some high temp glue but wasn’t able to access the rear half thanks to the cage. I’ve forgotten about it since as you never notice it in the car.
Has an oil leak from the gear selector shaft.
I would love to keep this but have a bunch of clichés ready as to why I’m selling it. I have another project to finish and have come to the realisation that I can’t justify keeping more than one fun car; in terms of both time and money required. You can see how little mileage it’s done since getting on the road as well, the wife won’t get in it which limits opportunities for taking it out! In an ideal world if I were to keep this I would have built up my spare 998 with a turbo, got the MS3 set up on that, bolted on some adjustable suspension bits, fixed the bits and pieces mentioned above and have some fun driving around during the summer. Would suit someone who understands the intricacies of siamese port injection, as the MS3 setup has not been as straightforward as on other engines.
I do have a spare engine, gearbox, heads etc and a couple of candidate turbos that could be included at the right price.
I have all the history since I’ve owned it and not much before that; I’ve kept all the MOT certs and receipts for the parts I’ve bought (I’ve not added them all up though!). Also a stack of sketches covering the new loom and MS3 wiring.
Had a thread on TMF covering the work done during the rebuild
www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/topic/68304-mayfair-rebuild
and the MS3 install is covered on turbominis
www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=562154
Looking for £3000. Located in Derby. Weekend viewings only please.
