South African Mk3

boris710 wrote:HI Jared,

I wouldnt use that type of seal there as its 'in' the water gutter which is there to take the water away.  That foam type seal will only hold the water (for the rust to work better !) or will overflow letting the water flood into the rear of the engine bay and maybe into the car.

My car has a different 'seal' arrangement, siliconed onto the scuttle panel lip)

I was thinking of using something like what you have, but for some reason, it's very tight in the hinge area of the scuttle panel, thus one of those seals wouldn't fit. The other option was to have a 'universal' type seal that sits on top of the lip with the soft seal on top (if that makes sense). This also wouldn't work as it would push the bonnet up away from the scuttle - well worse than it already is. My initial worry with this type is the trapping of water and thus the resultant rust. I'll keep an eye on it and go from there. I'm getting rid of this crappy bonnet anyway - it's so warped and it ruins the whole front end of the car. I'm going over to something else soon.

PS - I've always liked the chrome waist trim of the Elf/Hornet cars - looks good on yours

Red Riley wrote:Is there a real need for that seal? As far as I know there has never been one there on my car, and I can't think of a reason for one, except maybe to keep the rear edge of the bonnet from rattling.

That makes sense as well. There was one originally on this car at some point from new - there's still signs of where there was one stuck down. I don't think it was a foam type though, but a rubber one. My dad's unmolested GT has a rubber piece in that gap.

boris710 wrote:P.S.
Can I have your Puppy please ?

He's my key to finding a girlfriend - the girls think he's cute

It looks like yours has different bonnet hinges than mine has too. The Elfs/Hornets in the UK had tubular profile type Hinges and the Minis had 'flat' profile type steel hinges.

Jared Mk3 wrote:

boris710 wrote:P.S.
Can I have your Puppy please ?

He's my key to finding a girlfriend - the girls think he's cute

Hahaha!
Bait for a "Supermodel" eh ?

boris710 wrote:It looks like yours has different bonnet hinges than mine has too.  The Elfs/Hornets in the UK had tubular profile type Hinges and the Minis had 'flat' profile type steel hinges.

I think the tubular hinges were to be able to support the extra weight of the grille up front

boris710 wrote:

Jared Mk3 wrote:

boris710 wrote:P.S.
Can I have your Puppy please ?

He's my key to finding a girlfriend - the girls think he's cute

Hahaha!
Bait for a "Supermodel" eh ?

That's the plan

Whats happening with an engine for your car Jared ?

Got one sorted yet or are you going for something 'different' ???

boris710 wrote:Whats happening with an engine for your car Jared ?

Got one sorted yet or are you going for something 'different' ???

I'm going to be putting in the standard 998cc which came with the car, for now. It'll get a few upgrades though. This will just be a temporary while a build up something a little more special. The only problem is that the Rand/Pound exchange is so bad at the moment, that a decent engine build is going to cost me a lot . . . Sigh

Theres a lot that can be done with the basic 998 to make it more "fun" !  
I had a 998cc Mini 30 that was just as quick as most 1275's and was a real pleasure to drive.  
and this 998cc engine in my Elf is quite nippy too !

Decided I want to do something different for the ignition key :



Works quite well, not too heavy either :



And with two other bodies I have that I could possibly use if I'm bored :

Could you have the key part sticking out of the boot rather that out of the front grill ?

boris710 wrote:

Could you have the key part sticking out of the boot rather that out of the front grill ?  

That was my initial thought, but it wasn't possible. There's a plastic locating and locking slide that goes there.

I finally got around to sorting out the centre switch panel mounting :



I didn't get a picture of what the plate looks like. She needs a real good clean inside and out.

And because I didn't get a picture the other day, here it is :



I had both cars out today as well :



The Mk3 is in need of a good wash.

Found some metal door handles to replace the crappy plastic ones in the car. Just need some love and they'll be good to go again :



And for fun, I cleaned this up this morning - no clue what I'm going to do with it yet :

I didnt know they made metal door handles in that shape ! All the ones I've ever seen have been black plastic. !

Luv the 1275 GT ! Good ones of those are getting quite rare these days and are worth lots !

That speedo looks like its from a very early Mini but so long as its on a car with 10" wheels it should work just fine.

boris710 wrote:
I didnt know they made metal door handles in that shape  !   All the ones I've ever seen have been black plastic. !  

Not sure on the MK3, but I don't think those type of handles will work on Elfs or Hornets.

boris710 wrote:
I didnt know they made metal door handles in that shape  !   All the ones I've ever seen have been black plastic. !  

Luv the 1275 GT !  Good ones of those are getting quite rare these days and are worth lots !  

That speedo looks like its from a very early Mini but so long as its on a car with 10" wheels it should work just fine.  

The door handles are quite a hard find out here in SA - the metal ones of course. The black plastic ones are a little flimsy to me

The 1275GT is my dad's one, that I'm rebuilding for him - he pays, I build They only made about 970 of them before they were replaced by the 1275GTS. This one is very original and very straight. Has a Cooper S engine as well (bonus)

Red Riley wrote:

boris710 wrote:
I didnt know they made metal door handles in that shape  !   All the ones I've ever seen have been black plastic. !  

Not sure on the MK3, but I don't think those type of handles will work on Elfs or Hornets.

The Mk3 has a square output for the door opening handle. What did the Elf/Hornet cars have? I've never had the privilege of seeing one in person, so I'm curious?

My "office" that I had today :

I was curious too so this is the door handle setup on my 69 Mk3 Elf, - wind up windows ........

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I've been told that the series 1 E-type Jag handles work on a Mini. This type:
But I wonder if the early jag winder handles would work as well?
Not that I have any lying about to test, of course.

If there is a square type locating hole of the correct size at the rear of the door handle I dont see why it wouldnt fit.

The winder handle however has no hole for the securing screw to be inserted from the front. Unless there is an alternative way of securing the winder handle to the shaft, I cant see that one working.

I'll keep an eye open to see if I can find any "Jag" handles to see if they will work.

I'm sure the metal handles I have will work then - they're exactly the same with a square output. I remember reading about the Jaguar ones that work and I think also some from an MG or something, can't really remember, might be wrong.

Just out of curiosity, which way to the door handles face, up or down?