Conference terri::cars_uk

    Start with a Morris Minor.
    
    Restore then fit:
    
    Disk brakes,
    5-speed gearbox,
    LSD,
    Uprate front suspension/fit MacPhersons,
    Add a 1300 'A' Series and Janspeed exhaust.
    
    You'll make a tidy profit.
    
    All challenging yet straightforward, and not a fluffy dice, crappy
    spoiler, or plastic wheelarch in sight.
    
    Laurie.

    
    How about a MK1 Astra.
    
    	Parts are cheapish,and they're fairly easy to work on.You can get
    good body kits and there are a few places that do special
    engine/bodywork.If your interested i'll dig out a few phone numbers and
    addresses.
    
    	A few parts i've used in the past.
    
    	Vaccum advance unit...... 9 pounds.
    	distributer cap.......... 5 pounds.
    	distributer ............. 113 pounds.
    	brakes .................. 12pounds.
    
    etc 
    (though all the above prices of for a MK2 astra)
    
    	
    Andy.

You could always do an old MG, like a midget or an 'A'.

You can get all the parts you want for these from Moss Motors - none of 
them will fit right, but you can get them!


Better still, I've always wanted a mini of some sort, I would think that 
you could get parts for them rather cheaply, and being in production so 
long, junk yards are full of them.

Minis are rare here in the US, though, so if I want to buy one, I have to
pay through the nose or import one from the UK.

-Al

    A Mini could be interesting...
    
    If you're thinking of upping the bhp, you could go for one with the old
    AP four-speed auto box, convert the suspension to Hydro with inter- 
    connexions like the latest Metro, de-seamed, rear wiper, electric
    windows, central locking, power steering...
    
    Think of the fun you could have if you electrified one of the old-
    style horizontally sliding windows....  And the back windows!  Popping
    out on solenoids!
    
    Infra-red remote for the central locking, of course.  I saw a picture
    in a mag many years ago of a mini with a jacked-up back end.....and a
    chromed Morry Million back axle & diff just to confuse people....
    
    I'd love to see it when you've finished.
    
    Richard
    

I may be a "mere girlie", but I've got a 14-year-old
Mini that was a definite MOT failure bodywork-wise, 
which I've worked on a lot - and when it came to the
MOT it *sailed* through!  (See note #1976!)

Parts are cheap and reasonably easy to find from 
breakers yards(if you are quick enough!!) and they 
are really simple to work on - even if you do have to
be a contortionist to get at some bits!!.  They've 
also got *heaps* of character!!  ;o)   (Anyone who's
seen mine would have to agree!!).  I've got the Haynes
"Mini Purchase & DIY Restoration" book, which has lots
of suggestions of modifications you can make - I just
wish I could afford to do some of it.  Mind you, it's
keeping me pretty busy just fixing the bits that keep
breaking!! (Or *not brakeing*!!!  It's new brake pads 
this weekend!!)

Jules

re: .1

If it's going to be a Moggy, don't bother with an A-series engine,
go for an Alfa twin cam lump ... lighter and more than powerful
enough.

Anything "BMC" or "FORD" based is probably your best bet.  Standard
parts, tuning parts and body kits are readily available.

Being biased, I would recommend the mini.  To get an idea of prices, 
get hold of a copy of "Car & Car Conversions".  Two mini specialists
advertise in there - The Mini Centre and Minisport.  Both usually have
two-page advertisements listing parts and their prices.

Suggested mechanical conversions:

*	Simple Stage I or Stage II head/exhaust conversion.  Prices
	for such kits are good, although you may have to shop around
	if you are going to upgrade the induction system as well.

*	Big Bore engine kit - 1230cc, 1380cc, 1430cc.  Kits for such
	engines vary in price depending on components.  Unless you are
	building an "all out" race engine, prices are very good.  Again,
	shop around for ancillaries as these can have a dramatic effect
	on final cost.

*	Engine transplant - how about dropping in a Metro Turbo unit.
	This would be interesting and costs would not be too high.  You
	could find a donor engine from a crash victim.  The final
	vehicle would be similar to the limited edition ERA blown
	minis - quite collectable.

Body kits are more a matter of taste.  However, rather than adding bits
to an existing body shell, how about replacing the shell with a
lightweight Mini Midus fibreglass shell - higher initial cost, but
no rust problems.

My ulitimate suggestion - 1380 unit in Mini Minus shell!!!  Think of 
                          the fun on the road.

Hint - Buy the best basic car you can afford.  Nothing consumes money
       more quickly than trying to rescue a car on its last legs.  If
       the body work is far gone, the mechanics are likely to be as
       well.

All the best

Gareth M