The Independent American Magazine for all Mini Owners
Issue link: http://mc2.epubxp.com/i/33536
mini heritage section NH\ RU ÁDW EODGH VFUHZGULYHU Not wanting to re-invent the wheel, some of the suspension and braking could be said to be reasonably standard fare for a VTEC-powered Mini. Once again, Minitec has been in the business of making one-off and specialty suspension parts for their own conversions for several years now, so the front and rear disc brakes are 4-piston alloy calipers with custom-made stainless steel lines from their Superbrake kits. As you can see, there are yards of DLUFUDIW VSHFLÀFDWLRQ KRVH QRW MXVW UXEEHU hose covered with braid for appearances under the bonnet. The four-corner coil- over suspension is from GAZ, the 13-inch UXEEHU LV 'XQORS 63 [ V RQ Superlite wheels as those large black DUFKHV WDNH VRPH ÀOOLQJ 7KH UHDU D[OH LV D beam-style setup. The hand-made 4-point rollcage also helps stiffen everything. For us, the interior focal point is the Corbeau bucket seats, 4-point harnesses and the Corbeau original upholstery spread throughout the cabin and rear seats by Tradewinds Upholstery. If you’re wondering, all that dash, console and door panel work was personally hand- made and uses expensive Walnut Burl over a ½-inch plywood backing. We’ve never seen that much burl except in Jaguars and Rolls-Royce classics, as it’s even inside the trunk, as is the 17-gallon fuel tank that Mandeep designed and welded together. The stereo system is part Alpine and part Kenwood with DVD player, dual Alpine amps and a 10-inch subwoofer. +H PDGH KLV RZQ ÀEHUJODVV VSHDNHU enclosures and door pockets, too. Mandeep made the molds and then formed KLV RZQ GHVLJQ IHQGHU ÁDUHV IURP ÀEHUJODVV Dzus fasteners keep the hood on tight and add a racy touch. Interior burl wood and plush carpet add a sumptuous touch. Gauges are Autometer. Autometer keep tabs on temperatures, SUHVVXUH YROWDJH VSHHG DQG 530 7KH IRRW pedals are Tilton. The A/C is from Minitec. The mats are from Mini Spares. Mandeep has even installed power, remote control windows and door locks! The Webasto fabric sunroof is also power operated. Locked into his heated 3,000 sq. ft. shop, and surrounded by a ’88 Mini City (his daughter’s), ’79 pickup, ’72 Clubman, and ’80 minivan, Mandeep is rarely seen in public on weekends. He’s usually busy restoring one of the “family” with a custom paint job, as he has his own semi- downdraft paint booth that’s in use during the summer, from which he painted this EHDXW\ ZLWK WZR FRDWV RI 'X3RQW ZDWHU EDVHG $FXUD 16 ; 5HG ZLWK ÀYH FRDWV RI clear over it a few years ago. There’s no doubt about it, this ’79 0DQGHHS HQJLQHHUHG DQG ÀWWHG WKH 97(&+ LQWR WKH 0LQL H[WHQGHG WKH IURQW FOLS GHVLJQHG DQG EXLOW WKH ÁDUHV DQG EXPSHU DQG WKHQ SDLQWHG WKH FDU 7KLV LV RQH WDOHQWHG GHQWLVW LQFKHV VTEC conversion is R-Type of Mini. His buddies in the Victoria Mini Club agree, as they awarded him the Best of Show trophy for Mini Meet West in 2010. Issue 32 MC2 Magazine 49