In Progress: Mini Cooper S

[Spike123]

This the latest model I'm working on a Mini Copper 1275 S Rally. All my previous models have been built oob and seeing some of the builds in this forum I decided to have a go at few modifications to make the sixties Mini look a bit more modern:

To start with, this is what is should look like:


This was the bodyshell before any subtle modification (excuse the quality of the pictures)


I decided to de-seem the whole shell and blend in the arches.


And also decided to smooth out the boot lid by filling in the number plate recess, in progress


Added the brake lines and reducing valve (piece of brass rod) on to the subframe:


And here's my first attemp at flocking, lean't alot for next time

[Spike123]

And here's how it looks at the moment, added a few bigger pictures to show the detail:

Finished the dashboard with very thin strips of bmf which took a few attemps:


This is the nearly finished underside, added the handbrake cable which is mostly hidden now also added battery cable, fuel line and brake line, and changed the end of the exhaust for a bigger bore exit

Now for the bigger pics Engine is almost complete, remade the brake and clutch master cylinders out of brass and added brass piping. Also this was the first time I have used after market goods with the bucket seats and four point harnesses Comments welcome:


And hear's the bodyshell after being clear coated:

[klutz_100]

way ta go!
Really nice mods and detailing in that!
Nice colour too.

[RallyFanatic]

looking cool!, like the deseamed look on this, something i usually don't.
Are you fitting other wheels, or are the minilite's okay?
Are there even other wheels that fit this?

[Merkava]

Mmm, beautiful work! Nice detailing on this less-than-common kit. I really like the way you smoothed out the exterior. Looks way better!

[amusegt1]

i thought you were doing the new mini cooper s...lol

great job on the whole car so far

[Dean23]

Cool looking kit, nice color. Great work on all the details, I especially like the brake lines. Keep us posted

[SteveK2003]

What part # is that blue Tamiya paint stand? I've only seen the black one

That looks like it's coming along really well. I have the track-racing kit and I'm just shocked at how much room there is in the interior when I test-fit a driver from a WRC kit.

Is the body getting any graphics or decals?

[Spike123]

Originally Posted by RallyFanatic

looking cool!, like the deseamed look on this, something i usually don't.
Are you fitting other wheels, or are the minilite's okay?
Are there even other wheels that fit this?

I would really to put some chrome rims but I can't find any that are small enough to fit without some major surgery. So I am going stick with the minilite's although they will pushing out abit to fill the arches better.

[Spike123]

Originally Posted by SteveK2003

What part # is that blue Tamiya paint stand? I've only seen the black one

Is the body getting any graphics or decals?

The blue is a one off design but may change colour very soon lol .

I'm not planning on any graphics, once all the chrome is added to the car and possibly tinted windows it will look ok.

[Spike123]

Originally Posted by klutz_100

way ta go!
Really nice mods and detailing in that!
Nice colour too.

Thanks for the comments I think your mini is fantastic

[Spike123]

Here's the latest on the Mini, got a bit more done to the body still needs polishing and had a go at tinting the rear quarter light windows and rear screen not as dark as hoped but not a bad attempt. Hope you like

[RallyFanatic]

Wow, supersmooth!
I really like the colorchoice, it really makes the chrome stand out.
Will you be mounting plates anywhere on the car or will you leave it as a show car?
And is there any specific reason why you left the mk1 hinges? Because you'd think it wouldn't fit in the overall smoothness, but strangely it looks spot on. it ads speed to the sides, it creates a more interesting panel in a way.
And how about using the early square alloys that the kit came with, or are they too edgy?
Top notch!

[klutz_100]

Originally Posted by RallyFanatic

Top notch!

- looks super!

That is a really good colour for this car (which I love BTW).

I think your treatment of this project is excellent

[Spike123]

[quote=RallyFanatic]

Will you be mounting plates anywhere on the car or will you leave it as a show car?

I will be leaving it as a show car so no plates will be added.

And is there any specific reason why you left the mk1 hinges? Because you'd think it wouldn't fit in the overall smoothness, but strangely it looks spot on. it ads speed to the sides, it creates a more interesting panel in a way.

I wanted to keep as much of the original mk1 car only adding subtle modern changes but I am thinking of doing another one and removing the hinges and deseaming the whole roof as well and maybe a third and have one in Red, one in White plus this Blue one.

And how about using the early square alloys that the kit came with, or are they too edgy?

I will be using the minilites I think they suit the car better than the original wheels. On the next mini I might try and extend the arches and turn the minilites into superlites, nice and wide.