Mini cooper with opening doors?

[DabHand]

Hi guys

Just want to know if anyone can shed some light and give me some oppinions

Im considering building a mini cooper as my next project but I cannot decide on which model to go for. My main requirement is that it has opening front doors for my modification but im not sure that there is a mini that has opening doors, even the tamiya 1/12 version?

I only like building good quality kits (not too bothered about fitment issues etc or which manufacturer made it so if you have any models in mind then let me know

Any suggestions/info would be appreciated.

[MPWR]

If you want opening doors to play with, have you considered diecasts?

Both the 1/24 and 1/12 Tamiya Mini's are excellent kits. Both have hinged bonnets, and neither have hinged doors. If you really want to try to open the doors and hinge them, you are of course welcome to attempt to do so. But keep in mind that the original Mini had externally hinges on its doors. I'm somewhat doubtful that a realistic and practical hinge system can be done for the 1/12 kit, let alone the 1/24.

Good luck.

[viperofoz]

You could always try opening the doors yourself.

Here's a Tamiya 1/24 Mini I'm working on. (along with opening trunk and pop-out rear quarter windows)
I was planning on shaping the externally mounted door hinges using small, square brass rod.





Regards, Dan

[DabHand]

MPWR- I dont collect die-cast models, i only like to build models, but thanks for the advice regarding the hinges
Viperofox- Thats what im now going to do after realising there is NOT a mini kit with opening doors, ill be looking at your progress and wouldnt mind borrowing some of your ideas if that is alright?

Thanks guys

[MPWR]

Not at all to be discouraging or sarcastic, but I will be rather impressed if you manage to create some hinges that will work. The little external hinges would be difficult enough to do on a static (not moving) open door. Cutting the doors open is the easy part- getting them to close well is something much more.

[DabHand]

yes i completely agree, thats the challenge

[ratpackv8sonly]

Just a little info for you all. Not all Minis had external hinges. MK1 and MK2 did And if Im correct MK3 finally had internal hinges. But I think I read somewhere or was told at a car show that late MK2 could have internal hinges. I own a MK4 Mini 1983 I think and it has internal hinges.