Project Wrap-up, Start-up, and Test Drive
In between spring rain and snow, I had a chance to do a couple of quick test drives after getting our fabulous Mark 1 Mini all back together. This car really shows how quality components AND superb workmanship and attention to detail add up to a car that is a pleasure to work on as well as drive! The engine compartment is a tight fit with the brake servo, oil cooler, and the related lines and hoses, but everything went back together just as it should.
Here then is a last look at our engine compartment, now nicely packed with the quality components every well-dressed Mini should be wearing:
Probably the single most difficult task of the entire project was getting the four bronze washers back into the proper sides of the bonnet hinges on the bulkhead! I elected to remove the hinges along with the bonnet, rather than leaving the hinges hanging over the engine compartment. I forgot how hard it is to start those screws, particularly with the bonnet attached.
Perseverance and a calm and collected demeanor eventually paid off, with no damage to me or the car, and the Mini was ready to start:
After taking it off the jackstands, we had dark clouds but no rain, so off on it’s first drive:
And finally, a few rain drops on the window, ride along as I verify that our gearbox shifts fantastic, the engine runs and sounds great, and we successfully wrap up another Cooper Road Mini Project.
The level of your professional you show on your web site shows how it can be done if your willing to go the distance. Your shop shop shows a level of proper completion we never see any more. Its hard to put it back together and make it appear it never has been touched. The cars you show on your web site look totally factory and looks like its brand new. Thanks for showing your level of detail and professional completion.
What great history you have given me on my new car! I will cherish these videos as part of the history of my Cooper S, “Mimi”. She is my daughters favorite car and I love how it handles, how it sounds and how it performs, I will take it out one day on a track day to get the full experience of what this nice Mini beast can do as it rips around the track a few laps!