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Re: Moulds stored at Clanfield
Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 8:56 pm
by DavidL
I'm looking for a "popcorn" emoticon.
Apart from losing some of the vast amount of space behind the seats, I like this idea. The nagging thought at the back of my head is reminding me that Gordon Murray took ten years to build his, though.
Re: Moulds stored at Clanfield
Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 9:08 pm
by Rich
manifold wrote:Yes, I for one, back at the time offered to put money in to buy them. I was even prepared to buy them outright but for some reason that option wasn't even considered, which is a shame.
My plan would have been to develop the Coupe Mk3 into a mid engined car. A rear bulkhead with a low fitting engine behind seats. Air intakes from the rear quarter panels. Visible engine access from rear hatch (like Audi R8). Luggage space in the bonnet. Really easy to do. A no brainer. It would have transformed the Midas Mk3 Coupe.
It is what it is. Come to your own conclusions.
That sounds like a cracking idea.
Re: Moulds stored at Clanfield
Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 7:36 am
by Hans Efde
faceofdoh wrote:
Apart from losing some of the vast amount of space behind the seats, I like this idea. The nagging thought at the back of my head is reminding me that Gordon Murray took ten years to build his, though.
Yeeh, but he did it at the same time he led a design team building the greatest supercar ever. The funny result of this is that occasionally during meetings about the F1 he was making todo lists and something about the Midas popped up. Such meeting notes were published in the book "driving ambition" about the F1. So in this book you see a list of things todo on the F1 (all super stuff) and suddenly a remark "Midas front suspension" or so.
Re: Moulds stored at Clanfield
Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 8:07 am
by DavidL
Hans Efde wrote:faceofdoh wrote:
Apart from losing some of the vast amount of space behind the seats, I like this idea. The nagging thought at the back of my head is reminding me that Gordon Murray took ten years to build his, though.
Yeeh, but he did it at the same time he led a design team building the greatest supercar ever. The funny result of this is that occasionally during meetings about the F1 he was making todo lists and something about the Midas popped up. Such meeting notes were published in the book "driving ambition" about the F1. So in this book you see a list of things todo on the F1 (all super stuff) and suddenly a remark "Midas front suspension" or so.
Good point; I suppose he would have been spending a larger part of his time during those ten years on the F1, rather than the Midas! That's a book I'd never thought of reading before. I must try and find a copy.
Re: Moulds stored at Clanfield
Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:59 am
by Hans Efde
faceofdoh wrote:Hans Efde wrote:faceofdoh wrote:
Good point; I suppose he would have been spending a larger part of his time during those ten years on the F1, rather than the Midas! That's a book I'd never thought of reading before. I must try and find a copy.
Without exaggeration, it is the best carbook on my shelf. Absolutely fascinating. Expensive though, I got mine for around 50 pounds on Ebay and that was a bargain! Once I tried to buy another copy (with the poster) and it went over 100 pounds.
Re: Moulds stored at Clanfield
Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 1:32 pm
by DavidL
Hans Efde wrote:Without exaggeration, it is the best carbook on my shelf. Absolutely fascinating. Expensive though, I got mine for around 50 pounds on Ebay and that was a bargain! Once I tried to buy another copy (with the poster) and it went over 100 pounds.
I've just looked on Amazon, and they have several used copies available, from £125. Or a "collectible" edition for £199.
That's money that will have to go towards my new exhaust, unfortunately. I'll just have to put it on my Christmas list...
...had a look at the "used" prices, they go up to £355!
Re: Moulds stored at Clanfield
Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 1:36 pm
by Stuart
Re: Moulds stored at Clanfield
Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 1:49 pm
by DavidL
Thanks for the head up Stuart, it's now on my watch list! I expect the price will rise a bit though.
Re: Moulds stored at Clanfield
Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 12:56 pm
by Stuart
Here's a nice Z-cars build, he had lots of issues with Z-cars supplied bits failing, also had an Image wheel snap nearly all the bolts holding the wheel together, cost £35,000+ to build
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/in ... pic=102232
Re: Moulds stored at Clanfield
Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 3:14 pm
by Hans Efde
What a story! I just whiped a lot of drool from my laptop. Yep he had his bit of bad luck with parts quality (Rich note the top of the dampers running loose, same as yours), but what do expect when you put 300bhp in a Mini? That's why I am taking it a step back with my engine. What can break breaks when you power up the engine.