Morris Minor Owners Club

I thought I'd post a pic of me motah...
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Really not to far away from MOT time now, just cash (or lack of) slowing things down a tad...
Oh go on then, have another
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Well done Andrew almost there with a road going Moggie again

Is that the new fuel tank, in the second picture.

Indeed it is - gonna be running it on steam power, so plenty of water in there...

Good progress Andrew, also the best colour for a Minor

None blacker... ;)

and i was always thinking you were running a scrapyard...

I sometimes think I am

the result tells you different

Sort of...

Is that a fibre front - or welded up steel panels ?

Fibre - and not a very good one either

Will it be ok at MOT like that ? Have you added any 'strengthening bars' to replace the lost strength from the steel wings and front panel/crossbar ? Some MOT places refuse to pass Minis with f/g fronts.

So far relying on reinfocement of the GRP and the fact that there's a sound, self contained chassis under there. I really can't see how removing the wings or front panel (of which only the outer skin has gone)would affect the strength of the area, but always happy to be proved wrong

Just to clarify - the only forces carried by the shell are the top suspension mounts, the seat belt mounts and the steering rack mounts. All of these remain as factory provided (not specially happy about the suspension or rack mounts, but I'm not specially happy about them on the original). All the engine and drivetrain forces are mounted to and directed through the chassis, again as per factory. As I say, I don't envisage problems, but am aware that I could be proved wrong. I don't think the bonnet or wings were load bearing.

I agree - but some MOT places don't see it that way. The Mini has a 'chassis' up front (the subframe!) - but some places insist on steady bars being installed when wings etc are removed. Just brought this up for discussion and to find out others experience on this.

Shouldn't be a problem for the MOT. The front wings and bonnet while obviously a bit stronger than fiber-glass do not contribute to the structural integrity of the load bearing areas near suspension or steering components.

The MOT man will be looking for secure fastening of the flip front, to make sure it can't blow off at speed and cause an accident.

FG is a lot stronger than most folk give it credit for. The majority of a Minors strength at the front, is the chassis rails, inner wings, and tie plates.

That said, I would consider a cross brace between the inner wings a good idea. It will give better front end stability, and if positioned just right, the top can be padded, and act as an anti drumming surface for the flip front, which could reduce crazing of the FB and paint.

One things for sure, the flip front wont rust

The last one was a big plus, certainly. The front's well secure (as far as I've got with it - catches still to sort out), fixed to 3mm box with M8 (iirc) bolts, so not worried on that front so far. Plan is to put on aero catches at the rear, so should all be bomb proof. I'll give some thought to more steel - really can't see the need at present, but may change my mind ;)

I would simply ask at MOT station how they will view it Andrew. Especially with LCV chassis I don't see a problem - but may as well ask them and see what they say. On a non LCV I can see more of an arguement for some bracing perhaps being required, but again - if in doubt ask ! I ran a Mini for some years with f/g front and never had any problems - until one day returning from an event with my racing Mini on trailer behind - the f/g front worked it's way off the front mounts and went part way under the car before I could stop! Just had to shove the remains (amazingly not too badly damaged) inside the racer and drive home with no front! Fortunately - didn't have far to go, and met no Cops. Did attract some odd looks though!
Obviously an f/g front does reduce the crash protection normally offered by a welded/bolted steel front!

As I said, the core support remains unaltered, it's just the ornaments (bonnnet/wings) that have changed. I'll have an ask at the garage though, I guess