Practically Classics Forum

I like the Mazda idea but it doesn't look right for a car whose engine bay should be filled with an A series, whereas a slightly updated, Japanese version of an A does.

There are of course alternatives that may be more suitable than that type of Mazda engine, especially as the engine bay was wide enough for the proposed flat four...

Mazda-sourced Wankel, courtesy of RetroRides:


Alfasud - according to the blurb:


No sign of one of the VW engined lowlight Minors during a bit look on Bing Images. Maybe not that significant because the two speed semi auto Beetle 1500 transmission would endow a Minor with two reverse gears and only one forward. Not ideal.

JPB wrote:I like the Mazda idea but it doesn't look right

with the bonnet shut only you will know

especially as the engine bay was wide enough for the proposed flat four...

Now you are talking my language - a decent Moggie with a Jowett engine - alas they never did an auto - but they are column change - A really clever man like you 'John' would fit a button to the column change that would operate the clutch slave cylinder - I can supply the engine & box so no problems there - when you do want to start

One of the older, OHV Subaru engines is very similar in overall dimensions to the Jowett flat four and Subarus of that (late '70s-early '80s) era were available with an (Aisin-Warner) auto. So far, so good! Alas the Subarus were front wheel driven with the diff combined in a transaxle arrangement with the gearbox, or in some models, four wheel drive with a takeoff at the rear of the box for the driveshaft to the second diff.
No, I don't want a 4 wheel drive Minor, far too much like hard work.

what i liked about the mx5 idea was availability... id like a lot of things but either they are far too expensive (over £5) or impossible to find...cough cough plastic mini cough

Rich, since when do you have £5 available to spend frivolously?

John, It may be a duff lead but have you tried any of the Australian car forums to see if someone has the parts stashed somewhere or possibly has a contact in Japan? Given how rare they appear to be over here it's got to be worth enquiring about import duty to see if it would be better value to bring them over.

I've just bought a full set of ECUs (as spare) for my RR from the states and even after paying customs and freight they were cheaper than any single ECU here.

Terry, I've communicated with a few folk from Aus and the feeling among these is that Yahoo.jp is the best source of parts. Meanwhile, I've been looking on Yahoo regularly and have developed a tendency to become distracted by other shiny things..

rich. wrote:..cough cough plastic mini cough

Twunt! OK, so that was a stupid amount of cash to drop for a quick look and a promise that I'd have it in my grasp within the year.
Two years on..

There is a Clubman Estate/Reliant Rialto hybrid in GRP on the bay just now which spoke to me when I opened the listing. "Buy me, auto mini bits are relatively easy as everyone wants manual stuff!" it said and then, after I looked some more, it went on to say "I need a complete makeover because some turnip has been using an angle grinder on my gelcoat and there's a shortage of places to sit 'cos some other turnip has twoc'd most of my furniture.."
That avenue would be good money after more good money. I'll maybe get a MK1 auto that's all up and working some time but, for now, at least I have a shell and a plan, Minor-related.

JPB wrote: I have developed a tendency to become distracted by shiny things..

i have this problem too

As do most of us, I suspect. It could be worse though; we could be into drinking or gambling which both cost loads but don't provide us with garages/bedrooms/kitchens/random outbuildings filled with lovely stuff that can only go up in value. Or maybe end up in the landfill..

i spent much of my youth underneath rusty cars while my friends spent their's on wine women & song... who got the better deal?