4 x 4 minor – daft idea

[Jimsar]

This is probably completely stupid, and I don't have the skills to try it but . . .
I've noticed the wheelbase and track of the original Fiat Panda 4 x 4 are almost the same as the Minors. Would it be possible to take a Panda and cut away most of the body, and find a rotten underneath Minor and do the opposite, then weld the two together?

[chesney]

You could - but what would be the point?
A very worthwhile swap I have seen is the use of a Suzuki chassis and running gear with a Minor body on it. Suzukis can probably be picked up from £500 quid ish. Not sure about 4X4 pandas but I'm guessing it's more?

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Unless you plan entering cross-country trials or climbing Snowdon in it forget it. The traction is good enough as it is, even for moderate off-road use.

[jagnut66]

I have to say it seems a daft, pointless idea to me too, get one with a decent underside / suspension and enjoy it for what it is.

[IaininTenbury]

There's a handful been built on Land Rover chassis too. A series 1 86" is about the right wheelbase and with the narrower early axles you can keep the wheels under the body, unless you want a flared arch 'monster truck' look. There was two on a MMOC calender years ago, and I used to see a pickup truck (ish) special (V8 engine, radiator in the back etc) around the Huddersfield area around the mid 90s.

I think 4x4 Pandas are getting rare and collectable in their own right these days, (always quite fancied one myself, just out of curiostity!). Unmodified Suzuki SJs are few and far between too, but plenty of messed about off roady specials about which could be suitable doners. Land rover bits aren't rare really at all. Even late Series 1 stuff is readily available, but a non rotten chassis maybe a challenge.

[chesney]

I can't see using series 1 land rovers being a popular donor car now
I'd love a series 1, the Boss used to have one 25+ years ago and he gave it away

[IaininTenbury]

Well a 2" wheel base stretch would see you into all Series 2 and Series 3 LAnd Rovers so really no shortage of bits. I had a Series 1 chassis needing some work with axles hanging around for a year or two and it was really hard to sell. I decided I had no time for some sort of silly project and needed the space....

I did consider doing somethign of this nature once using Suzuki SJ base as you get a decent chassis, and its all like a Land Rover but just scaled down about 7/8 which would have got it all under a Minor body quite neatly. I was quite into greenlaning at the time and I think the idea was to make a nice subtle looking motor, that would go anywhere and raise more smiles than a canvas topped Series 1 Land Rover but it was just one of those ideas.

[chesney]

It's a funny old thing. A good jeep chassis will sell very well if straight/original. I have to admit to thinking about a Jeep/Minor project as the wheelbase, again, is similar and it's relatively 'flat' (and the axles are as skinny, in fact I think the prototype series 1's used Jeep chassis??).

[IaininTenbury]

Yes I believe the first Land Rover prototype was built on a Jeep chassis. Probably would be 80" wheelbase same as the first Series 1s.

[alexandermclaren]

I have to say it seems a daft, pointless idea to me too, get one with a decent underside / suspension and enjoy it for what it is.

i agree a solid one

[IaininTenbury]

Its just as silly and daft as most custom cars are really. It either floats your boat or it dosen't. If you want a nice Classic car get a Minor, if you want to go off road get a 4x4 and if you want to go fast get a sports car.... But I can see the appeal of what looks like a Morris Minor going where other 4x4s struggle ( the desire to stand out and be different - what drives hotrodders and customisers everywhere) but tbh I have enough other standard restoration projects, a caravan to restore, another Railton to rebody and some other silly car building ideas to get out of my system first, and thats after the day job...