Well, its started!

Over Easter I drove down to Wodonga to pick up Simon's '63 smooth roof van and bring it home. The van will form the basis of '4Paw', an AWD, Honda-powered ute!

I took the family down to Wodonga with me, so we could all spend Easter together - and a huge big thanks to Simon and his family for being such wonderful hosts. I cant wait to return the favour.

The trip was long and arduous - 3626km in all, all with towing a trailer there and back, but well worth it! We had a heap of fun in and around Wodonga (Wineries, Alpine mountains etc) and came back with a shell to boot!

Leaving home at 2.00am, we arrived in Coonabarabran about Midday. Then left there at 2.00am as well. The innkeeper thought we were nuts:


Arrived at Simon's place just before lunch (well timed!):


We then loaded and headed back to Brisvegas - here is the van safe and sound at QBR HQ!!


The van came with some extras too. Three front clips, one of them fibreglass (no need to tell you what we will do with this!):


Plus some new panels to fix the ones the tinworm got to:


Simon also organised some slidey window doors for me, which he had gathered before I arrived (what service!!):


It even came with its own trolley:


Which broke when I tried to put the car on it




But undeterred, I made up one with the left over panels from the trailer:


And just re-used the existing wheels. Ahh yes, mobile again


And finally here is 4Paw safe and sound in the workshop - his new home!!


Once again, a huge big thanks to Simon and family for looking after us for the three days we were there - what a guy!!! I got heaps of comments from people everytime I stopped to fill up. Mini vans certainly promote conversation! We have big things planned for this conversion, so stay tuned (even though its not due to start until August/September when The Cat is finished).

And for those that are interested, the trailer performed flawlessly!

Cheers,
Tricky

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

I can't wait to see this one!

I'm guessing this is what the honda motor and that van/wagon/thing you've got lying around is for

good to see you got a van in fairly good condition tricky

the trailer is looking pretty spify to

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Come one Tricky - you know you want to start this one before you finish the cat

I will follow your new thread very closely. It will be interesting to see how you do it.

And incase you are wondering - I was going to ask how the trailer went, but no need to now!

Mmmm smooth roof van.

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

Bin them?, you might need to cut them up to fit them in the wheelie bin though, seems a waste

This is going to be a closely watched thread, good luck.
Have you got the personalized plates yet?

edit: their available

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

it's a '66 you've got there big buddy

likewise a pleasure having you all down, we had a lovely time, and it's good the van has gone to a good home where it'll be resurrected in a similar vein to the one I had intended

I only supplied the blue front because it's still got the car number stamped on it, which Tricky'll need, there's another good steel front in case the fibreglass one doesn't work out, and obviously the fibreglass one, which might be too stuffed to worry about.... a couple of options tho

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Yes I do, but I promised myself that I would get The Cat finished first - and I will (bugger )

Believe me, there will be a few surprises with this one!

Kenno - thanks for the plate (damn you!)

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

ahhhh another twisted creation to be.. from quikbrixracing.....aka the house of evil
i cant wait to see some progress on this one tricky! but dont let this distract you from gettin the cat finished

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00' Forester GT

Any updates?

Some others have been busy:




Honda B20B with CRV drivetrain




http://superfastminis.com/AWD_MINI.htm Discuss

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Too many cars, and too little time.

that is f'n sweet!!!

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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

hot sex.... Tricky will love that rear cradle

they haven't taken any shortcuts with that conversion - cut out the rear floor for mufflers, widened tunnel...

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

mmm wow now that is nice

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If you want more inches, stroke it
Life's a garden.... Dig It!
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=20746

Simon,

They have stolen a lot of our ideas (damn them!).

But yes I agree, that rear diff cradle is very efficient.

Maybe I should post my design sketches to prove I have a design.

Cheers,
Tricky

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

I like the cradle but I am not sure if the lower arm mounts are supported well enough.
As for the front suspension geometry.... I would like to see a plot of the arm angles. It all looks rather strange.

They have some you tube videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swUBxUFD ... annel_page

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.