Hi guys,

Gets said a lot but - long time reader first time poster... I have this old panel van which has been relegated to the side lines in my shed for a number of years.

When I first got the panel van I striped it of pretty much everything leaving the bare shell and removed some of the paint (as you do when your young and keen) and pretty much got nowhere fast with it.

Last year I decided I really should get back into it and removed the rusted out cross panel which the seat attach to and bought another shell to get it's one out. I have repaired it and it is awaiting getting installation however the rest of the body is in horrible condition and needs a fair amount of work before I even go there.

I replaced the front driver’s floor about 6 months ago and am really happy with the result. I also did the rear floor as it was rusted through in many places however I am not so happy with the result and it will come out and be replaced again soon.

This weekend I decided the best way to tackle this shell (which in all honesty should be thrown out its in that bad condition) was to build a rotisserie. Here's some progress pics. I will get my decent camera back up and running this week for the next instalment of the build.


This is the shell before work on the rotisserie. I had welded in a couple of brackets between the B pillars - now which are gone.







I am planning on making the pole height about 1.1m. Does this sound like emough? I have measured and am sure that the car won't hit the ground when spun, but does anyone have experience that may be able to give me a pointer???

The measurement from the center of the pipe, to the outer door sill is the minimum height you will need. Confirm by measuring from the center of axis to the outside edge of the roof gutter.

Add a little to this measurement and you won't have a problem.

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

What have you got planned for an engine and other things?

Thanks Mick - thats basically what I have done and it all should stack up quite nicely. Can't wait to get it rolling about this weekend.

Harley here is a little breif on my plans for the car.

Engine: I still havent decided on which engine I am going to go with, but I can assure you it will be turbo and will not be A series. I like the power and trodden path of the toyota engines however something a little unique would be pretty special.

Body: I want to restore the body back to having no rust and being nice and straight. I want to de-seam the front. I like the seams on mini saloons however on a van without them on the back I dont know... I am going to remove the 1/4 windows from the doors and run a single peice of glass. It will be black - not metallic - just black then cut and cleared for a mirror finish. I plan on running 13" wheels so arches will be the order of the day - not sure where I want to go with this one.

Interior: This as far as I have gotten so far. The inside will be a deep red (maroon) with white faced guages. I am tosing with the possibility of a half cage for the back. I have a feeling wood will come in.

Overall Theme: The car is meant to become a nice cruiser with a tonne of balls. I am not looking for a race car - and therefore will be installing some form of ICE, and not using rose joints...

Update!

I have finished the rostissrie and got the panel van up on it!!!




I have replaced the front drivers floor, cut the passenger front floor out. I have purchased new sills and rear passenger floor.

Cool!!! Keep up the good work. Like what you have in mind for it and YES I agree with you about the seams on the front of the Vans needing to be removed if customising is in order.
I like the idea of going down a different path motor wise, the starlet gt motor is great and used to drive a real starlet GT but they are starting to get a little common for my liking(and a bit old too) and there are sure to be a lot more options around. I'm going down the Sirion Gtvi path as a good reliable daily driver. I'm hoping to have it done this year sometime.
Can't wait to see more progress.
Phil

will you advertise PigsFly? (the brewery?)

_________________
Here am I sitting in my tin can far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do...



“A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster.” - Jeremy Clarkson

I agree, try something different. Why not do a Mitsubishi or even a Nissan engine.

I would have a look at the Mitsubishi 4G93 MIVEC or the Nissan SR16VE Neo VVTI engines. Both would be an exceptional choice in my book and you would have something just that little bit different.

Well done on the build so far.

Cheers,
Tricky

_________________
"Not Speeding Officer..........Qualifying"

I agree with both of these motors for high revving N/A power you can't get much better.
As far as I know the Mivec motor has an iron block and the sr16 should have an alloy block whick should theoretically be lighter and both have a similar power output.
There are a couple of versions of the sr16 too one with 129kw and a worked version with 147kw.

Cheers guys - thanks for the encouragement. I want to have the main body work completed in the next couple of months. I think I will need to buy a donor car - preferably a van to get all the necessary parts.

The rostisserie makes life so much easier! When I did the front drivers floor pan it took me ages to cut the old one out. With the rotisserie it only took me minutes!

The new pan is in the drivers - and all new support panels made and welded in for the firewall and subframe strengthening. Progress pic of the passenger side.





I have been thinking down the route of a VTEC install. What do people think of this kit?
http://superfastminis.com/MTB2MINICS.htm

I wonder if they would sell the kit minus engine - maybe just the subframe?

tricky what nissan and year does the Nissan SR16VE Neo VVTI engine come out of.

cheers dan

_________________
Cheers Dan

FIRST COMES THE MONEY, THEN COMES THE POWER, THEN COMES THE WOMEN.!!

N15 Pulsar... VZR model... 1998 onwards...

redline at 8300

_________________
Here am I sitting in my tin can far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do...



“A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster.” - Jeremy Clarkson

Yep, bang on Triple-M.

They are a nuts motor! If you can get one, GET ONE!

Pigs, dont do a VTEC, they have been done before.........(you said you wanted something different)!!

_________________
"Not Speeding Officer..........Qualifying"

Just came back from running around Oran Park with the Classic Rally club... God I want a fun car again... This build is going to happen quite quickly I hope...

would any N15 pulsar motor fit.

cheers dan

_________________
Cheers Dan

FIRST COMES THE MONEY, THEN COMES THE POWER, THEN COMES THE WOMEN.!!