Just for the petrol heads

[JeffH]

Many moons ago I had a hot Mini -same colour but didn't look as cool as that one. Managed to get 7,500rpm* in top gear once -it was a long run up to do that and no details as I would not want to incriminate myself.
*I said it was hot.

[Unicorn]

I had one too at one stage back in the early 80's, had plans to hot it right up but after a bloke backed out into my daily driver I had to get it on the road straight away. Karcraft had all the great racing stuff for them from the UK (like pistons that would hack 13000 rpm from memory). Truely a great motor that can rev beyond belief with the right components.

[Triggersmob]

If I remember correctly, they did cross flow heads for the 1275cc motors too, that were all the rage.

Never had a Mini myself, but had 3 Morris 1100 at various times. Rolled the first one. Second one
was traded in on my XY Fairmont. Third one I bought for the wife and it was automatic. A real slug.

[JeffH]

Mine was a 998cc with a Speedwell alloy head (not crossflow) and twin 1¾" SU carbies.
In excess of 11:1 compression ratio -would be no good with today's unleaded fuel.

[Basil]

Mine was a 998cc with a Speedwell alloy head (not crossflow) and twin 1¾" SU carbies.
In excess of 11:1 compression ratio -would be no good with today's unleaded fuel.

Speedwell was the premier supplier of 'go fast' bits in the 1960's for the A Series Engine,they are still around Today.
In Australia(and probably in the UK as well) someone faked the little 'Speedwell' badge that sat on the rocker cover so lots of Owners out there with Engines that aren't Speedwell modified despite the badge.

Unrelated,talking to a local Antiques Dealer recently,i used to collect Oil Co. memorabilia and he said they were producing fake Oil signs in Australia back in the 1960's and they are still being traded Today as originals.
Lucrative market for Sign Writers as they rattled off copies of rare signs such as COR,Plume,Neptune  etc.
Jungle out there.

[Goldseeker]

Many people also doing fake coins besides the fake signs^^^^^^^^^

[duggee27]

after learning to drive in the family fb holden station wagon, we stepped up to a 186 hr holden. woo hoo !
 then i got the pennies together to buy a mates 1964 mini 850... now that was a fun car, stuck to the road and zapped thru the bends, million miles per gallon (nearly) sliding windows, no aircon those days and winter time was freeze your whatsits !! also the coppers had cooper s and at times drivers would slow down in front and slow me up - bugger
ahhh the good old days

[JeffH]

The NSW detectives had Minis in those days and to see four of them (the were generally "well built gentlemen") crammed into one of those was a sight to behold.
The first time I ever drove a Cooper 'S' was in the back streets of Strathfield and, as I changed into top gear, I glanced at the speedo..."shit, it says 70mph"!

[Unicorn]

Geez Fellas, I'm gunna have to watch the Italian Job now!!!

[Basil]

The NSW detectives had Minis in those days and to see four of them (the were generally "well built gentlemen") crammed into one of those was a sight to behold.
The first time I ever drove a Cooper 'S' was in the back streets of Strathfield and, as I changed into top gear, I glanced at the speedo..."shit, it says 70mph"!

It was funny when they tested/trialed the Mobile Radar in the Cooper S in the early 1970's.
The Unit took up the Boot,Back Seat and part of the Passenger Seat and the Car went down the Road dragging its Tail. I worked opposite North Sydney Police Station and it used to be parked out the front for a Month or so.

There is a picture of it on the Net somewhere but didn't show in a quick Google.It was part of an article on the history of Police Radar in NSW.

[Unicorn]

Spent a couple of hours at Tuncurry this morning for a nice show & shine ......

A cool little cooper ......



Some nice stainless steel .....



Two serious grunt masters .....

[JeffH]

"A cool little cooper". Is that as opposed to a Cooper S? No flares to accommodate the extended track with the spacers* on the hubs. There were a couple of different (John) Cooper variants before the Cooper S -a long stroke 997cc and a short stroke 998 cc. You could choose higher revving or more low down torque.
A Weber DCOE carbie is really overkill for that size motor and so noisy, especially when you have to cut the firewall and have it protruding into the cabin. That one looks like it is set up for club events or historic racing so that is not an issue. Of course the bodywork details and presence/absence of twin fuel tanks does not necessarily reflect what is under the bonnet.

*Wheel spacers are illegal in NSW (unless factory fitted, as the car is delivered). Several vehicles did have them, usually for a fancy wheel package to fit.  So, OK on a Cooper S but NO, NO on an otherwise similar Mini!

[Unicorn]

Fomoco was represented well with 4 & 6 cyl GT's ...

There must have been a Ford GT Day somewhere else as not a V8 GT in sight.









The General had lots of goodies ...

A nice 350 HR, lots of Toranas, Monaros, EHs and ilk








Some uncommon beasts ... (come on Jeff tell me what the first one below is)

[JeffH]

Sorry Uni, I can't recall what it is called but I believe it is a modern kit/replica supposed to look like a classic car. Does it have Datsun running gear?
Sunbeam Alpine I do know. I always (still do) lusted for a Sunbeam Tiger. Grab a a classic English small sports car and stuff a 289 Ford V8 in it.
Similar philosophy to the AC Cobra but not as well known. Carroll Shelby was responsible for both of these desirable creations.
Did you know Maxwell Smart drove a Tiger?
Is the pink one a Dodge?

Some very nice gear there.

[JeffH]

Probably wrong but, after wracking my brain, the name Bianti, or something similar, comes to mind.
If I slept on it I would probably wake up with the answer in the morning. The old brain can be slow trawling the memory archives at my age.