I've had lots of different interests over the years, unfortunately work & family commitments mean there's not much time nowadays. However I still manage to do one or two things:
The Mincia came out of a conversation between
some of my mates many ago. We had been doing a lot of
autocross racing in a Riley Elf and decided that a Lancia Beta
engine & gearbox would fit in a Mini. Then along came a 1600
cc Lancia Beta HPE, a 'stuffed' Mini clubman 1275GT and with a lot
of persuasion it all fitted together. The engine was later modified by Guy Croft and kicks out about 153 BHP. This gives it a
0-60 time of 5.7 secs but because of the 'un-aerodynamic' shape
it only does about 115 MPH. Yes I know, its still in my garage and hasn't been
used properly in years - come around and help me get it MOT'd then please?
I had started on a Mincia II some years ago but yet again time is getting away from me. It features a Lancia Delta Turbo engine into the back of a standard shape Mini and it will be a sort of open top roadster. Thanks for everybody's interest - a little bit of weekend help would be nice !!. Watch this space for more updates........ (don't hold your breath)
More
Minis
You may have guessed I have a bit of a soft spot for Minis.
One of my favourite films is The Italian Job, staring Michael Caine (the real one).
In 1991 I took part in the The Italian Job rally to Trento in Italy with my old mate David 'Beddy' Bedford. You should support this charity as it does great work and the event is good fun. Contact them at http://www.wordserf.co.uk/italianjob/
What do you
call a man with a Mini on his head ??
JACK !!!
Well actually in this case John Evans, a pretty strong guy with the most enormous neck I've seen. He is world champion for just about everything you can balance on to your head! http://www.headbalancer.com
I have found the following website extremely interesting and it has a lot of in depth information on Minis - and lots of other BMC vehicles http://www.austin-rover.co.uk
Beer labels
I also like to support local industry, so please visit and enjoy (at your local Sussex pub) the pride of Sussex ales: http://www.harveys.org.uk/
I have a passing interest in radio controlled cars, here is my vintage Tamiya Lunchbox:
If you like anything Tamiya, try this link: www.tamiyaclub.com/
http://www.ingeniasolutions.co.uk (website under construction May 2006)
This is my work website, if you see something that's useful to your company send me an e-mail or try the old site http://www.mmes-automation.com
I didn't know much about this remarkable lady until Rachel's friend told us she was her niece. We have put together this tribute web site - enjoy !
For all beer lovers everywhere
http://www.minimarcos.org.uk/altpics/mincia/index.html
You might have got here through this website, if not, here is the link to some more pictures of the Mincia
This man is a god amongst engine tuners and no one knows more about extracting serious BHP from a Lancia or Fiat engine - and he's a very nice man as well!
http://www.geocities.com/jharkola/Viku2.html
This bloke has built a mean front wheel drive V8 Mini - and it looks stock!
http://www.manchesterminis.co.uk/
Now these people have all carried out the 'ultimate mod' see the Hybrid Mini Sites on the links page
http://www.saab.com/main/GB/en/index.html
SAAB 9-3 convertible please (if I haven't already bought one!)
