Note : There is much more detailed info about the build, hints, tips, info for the stripping the Mini & Starlet etc at my blog of the build at http://mearcat.blogspot.com Consider this ausmini thread an abridged version of the blog
If you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to PM or email me.It all started when I regretfully sold my semi-restored 1972 Clubman 3 years ago to help pay for a good chunk of our wedding (2 years ago). My wife fell in love with our old Mini so when the question was soon posed whether I could restore another one, she jumped at it. Yaaaay
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
After much discussion with my wife and then research, we decided upon the (well known to many) 4E-FTE Toyota Starlet GT engine conversion. So the story begins 18 months ago, July 2008, when the purchase was made...
I found a 1978 Clubman in Bunbury, W.A. owned by a 17yo guy who had mostly stripped the shell and some of the engine - with intentions of doing an engine conversion of sorts but for various reasons, did not go through with it. Overall the shell was in good condition but with only a couple of concerns - the rear valance corner had a hole you could put your fist through, the front valance was severely dented had enough bog in it to sink a ship and a hole in the passenger side sill. it had been on the market for 5 months and no-one seemed to want a half-stripped shell & half stripped engine so for the measly sum of $1000, it was mine. Another 5 hour trip from Perth to Bunbury & back was in order, this time with a trailer. Unfortunately, we were half way through building our new house at this time so once it transported to Perth, the Mini was stored at a mate's garage for the next 6 months.
![Image](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rP8rUqK1m3Q/SY_--EgrYQI/AAAAAAAAAAs/0fcMfmMStV0/s200/IMG_0496.JPG)
![Image](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rP8rUqK1m3Q/SY__zBVHhHI/AAAAAAAAABU/_2MR8fWSggo/s200/IMG_0498.JPG)
Once our house construction was completed, I moved the Mini to it's new home and at the same time, found a very neglected '75 Clubman (for $100) which had been out in a paddock with no glass or panels fitted, exposed for at least 2 years and quickly rusting away - The panels there was more holes and rust than straight steel and there was nothing special about the serial numbers. I wanted to strip this for some random parts and cut the shell in half so the front half could be used as a test rig for trial fitting the modified subframe & drilling any holes/brackets I may need. The plan is that Starlet engine and all ancillaries will be fitted to the white Mini and when completed, duplicated in the other Mini.
![Image](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rP8rUqK1m3Q/SZACYzuk7DI/AAAAAAAAABs/oAKAppKsh_c/s200/IMG_0855.jpg)
![Image](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rP8rUqK1m3Q/SZACKpUNgxI/AAAAAAAAABc/Z6O67NhUO4I/s200/IMG_0854.jpg)
For many months, both cars sat collecting dust while I finished a huge list of things in the house, the workshop, workbench, spray booth and still more house stuff. My workbench didn't stay clean for long
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Image](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rP8rUqK1m3Q/SbzmxA9raUI/AAAAAAAAACs/axcEZ6rU-bM/s200/IMG_1182.JPG)
March 2009 rocked around and got a chance to see and drive what was the only (that I know of) legal Starlet GT engine conversion in Perth. James ('77 Clubby Van on ausmini) drove the 650km from Kalgoorlie to Perth to get the engineers' (pre-registration) inspection completed. I drove it, was suitably impressed even though it wasn't really in tune. But it was when he had a few spirited runs against my 305rwhp Nissan Skyline R33 (mid 13sec 1/4 mile car) when I realised that the 4E-FTE conversion in a Mini would be a ball tearer of a car
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
James has since moved back to Victoria so once complete, my Mini will be a unique one in Perth. It was the motivation I needed to get started...
I stripped the rusty white Mini to bits, gave away the siezed engine, pulled off the various parts that I needed and dumped the rest at the scrap yard. Sara could now park her car in the garage for the first time. Needless to say, she was a happy chap.
![Image](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rP8rUqK1m3Q/ScLUK1mne-I/AAAAAAAAAEU/n3kzylmrHl0/s200/IMG_1188.jpg)
![Image](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rP8rUqK1m3Q/SeNH8y2Aq9I/AAAAAAAAAF0/JSOIYaU76TE/s200/IMG_1315.jpg)
![Image](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rP8rUqK1m3Q/SeNIDQys6XI/AAAAAAAAAF8/oCvcpCOpnms/s200/IMG_1317.jpg)
_________________
-Alan
I blame my dad for my love of minis. I think I was conceived in the back seat of one
I also blame my Dad for me being 6' 1" - not really the optimum height for driving a Mini.