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I will add something else to this discussion: I served as a Committee Member for the local Mini Club for about 5 years. It was, for want of a better phrase, a thankless task.
There were a few (and the emphasis here is a FEW) club members (non-committee members) who would gladly help out with numerous things but the rest of them? No. They wanted everything done for them, and I mean EVERYTHING. I organised a trip for 30-odd people to Ireland, including booking ferries, campsites, payments, chasing people for payments, the lot. Of those 30 people only 1 of them said thank you. It was a kick in the teeth for all my blood sweat and tears I'd put in.
Club members are a fickle bunch. I, like many have made friends for life from my previous club. However, the rest of them? Apart from the ones who simply paid their membership fees and then never turned up to a meet, I honestly can barely remember them. When I was the Membership Secretary and we had a new member come to a meet I always did my best to greet them, show me their car and introduce them to the other guys - some stayed, some we never saw again. We even sent a questionnaire to each club member asking them for feedback and what they wanted from their club. About 5% replied. Weird bunch.
Also, I found that clubs can be a horrible place for couples - numerous couples were split up by other club members "handling the goods" as it were.
Would I join another club? Probably not.
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If I had the space and money I would quite happily re-home all three of those!
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Last Edit: Dec 9, 2020 15:25:42 GMT by mrbounce
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I am not a big BMW fan, but that is GORGEOUS!
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Just a thought - have you tried contacting a Jaguar specialist? They quite often have various s/h spares on the shelf. A friend of mine works at the firm below - very friendly service. They specialise in older Jags and may be able to offer some advice or may have the part on the shelf. suffolkclassicservices.com/ 01728 745055.
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I was in the Mini scene for 10 years, but it wasn't as "scene" as it is now - you could still pick up a shonky one for £300 at the time I bought mine. As a rule I found the Mini shows fun, inclusive and a bit of a laugh. I would only go to a few shows a year though, as it got boring seeing the same cars over and over - there were only so many late model British Racing Green Coopers I could take!
The aftermarket, modification and spares availability was amazing and still is - I suppose it should be given that the Mini is one of the most modified cars in history, be it just some stripes or a full race engine - it's all modification you could argue.
As a flip side to this I went to GTi International when I had my Golf GTi a few years later. I was not a member of a club and neither was my car modified. I have never felt so unwelcome at a vehicular event - you had to "fit" or you were an outsider, and everyone I spoke to had a bit of a bad attitude. Put me right off. As Dez says - a breeding ground for certain types of stinky orifices...
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Last Edit: Dec 7, 2020 23:01:56 GMT by mrbounce
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Superb. Nice to see you went for option 4. Love your measured approach to things.
Carry on!
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Yes please - pics! Love a big 7!
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How fantastic! Am looking forward to seeing this rarity getting the Geordie treatment. Just had a thought - are there any 4-door notchback Stanzas left? I seem to remember them being sold as well.
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Saw a well-used Series 3 Landie the other day. There's lots of 'em round here - seems to be the most popular Retro vehicle I see!
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My Dad's friend had one virtually identical to this. That looks like an excellent find! Well done sir
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Excellent news. Well done that man!
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My old next door neighbour had one of these in the same colour - I *think* it was a 16-valver.
I like a 90s VW - I had a 96 Golf GTi about 15 years ago and still maintain it was a very pleasant place to be.
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I have just read the whole thread - I love anything rod-related, especially the making of new parts. Fabulous work crockpot - you and your good lady must be pretty pleased with what you've achieved so far. Consider yourself bookmarked!
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I had a tuned Mini in about 2001 and I was heading to my parents' house up in Essex when I was overtaken by a 911. Practically glued to its rear bumper was a modded Uno Turbo. Hilarious. I joined in but couldn't keep up as the Mini topped out at about 70 officer (about a ton).
Eventually caught up with the Uno around the tunnel and the driver gave me a HUGE thumbs up as he had obviously been really enjoying himself.
A friend borrowed his Mum's one once (think it was a 1.3) and that thing was brilliant fun because it weighed the same as a biscuit tin. Sadly I never drove it. Quite fancy one though, but I doubt I will ever find one.
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Last Edit: Dec 1, 2020 19:13:01 GMT by mrbounce
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Tease!
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Nov 30, 2020 17:26:42 GMT
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I think you can buy big blocks of styrofoam cheaply. You could buy the necessary blocks, glue together if necessary, shape it nicely a tiny bit undersize, and then lay fibreglass over the top of it. I would think you'd need epoxy resin otherwise it'll disappear before your eyes. You might have to be careful not to accidentally snap the foam in half during sanding. On the plus side, it sands down rapidly. This is basically how surfboards are made. You don't even need to remove the foam if you fully encase it. It also looks like a completely flat dashtop could work so maybe just a 5mm sheet of aluminium shaped accordingly? Are there no air vents to consider? Was this in the PPC mag this month? I thought yours was green. It was in PPC yes - mine is most definitely VERY orange! It's never been green - apart from a bit of moss so I don't know where that's come from! Styrofoam blacks sound like a good plan. Air vents to vent the screen will need to go in.
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Last Edit: Nov 30, 2020 17:27:28 GMT by mrbounce
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Nov 30, 2020 15:34:37 GMT
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Never done anything like this, but since the sides are fibreglass can you ‘glass in some aluminium brackets (or wood?) to give yourself some mounting points? That would certainly be something I can do. Any suggestions on types of fixings always gratefully received. I want to be able to remove the top relatively easily in case of need. Also, with regards to shaping the dash, I am wondering whether sculpting some expanding foam could be a way forward?
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Nov 30, 2020 13:55:13 GMT
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My Midas was originally put together with little or no regard to fit and finish - no surprise, it being an 80s kit car, but I am doing my best to bring up to some form of standard. The current problem I have is the dash top - the one that came with the car was completely the wrong shape and wasn't actually properly attached to the vehicle when I bought it - in fact it was just sort of laid on there. I do not have plans to use it, as it would take more work to make that fit than actually making something new. It is not part of a dashboard I can buy, I have used a template and a mould to make something last year but it's full of dips, it curves in all the wrong places and is effectively twisted, plus I gave no thought to how it would actually attach to the dashboard and car. It's a non-starter to use this one. A waste of time, fibreglass and effort. As you can see from the photos below I am starting from a blank canvas - I am thinking that I make a flat card template, then laying a basic flat fibreglass layer, using that as a mould to keep the dash top flat, and then somehow incorporating some brackets behind the main dash area (possibly in 4 points) to attach the top bit. I will need to incorporate the vents for the screen somehow as well. I am completely open to suggestions on fixings, coverings etc. I am possibly thinking a thin layer of foam followed by some vinyl or simply spraying the dash top with the textured paint I have been using to match the dash itself. I am struggling to think of an easy-ish way to do it, so all ideas and guidance considered. My thanks in advance! The big hole I need to fill. Wiring will be tidied up - it's just "there" at the moment. Sides - nothing to mount to.
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Last Edit: Nov 30, 2020 14:08:43 GMT by mrbounce
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Nov 27, 2020 15:08:33 GMT
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Would a small 6 and box from a BMW fit? Might be worth a look and there's loads about.
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