Tech
TecThThhMini
TECHT H
Mi i
The essentials for keeping
your Mini on the road.
BEFORE
STARTING
The first rule of working on cars
and using tools of any kind is
don’t be stupid. Make sure
personal protective gear –
goggles, gloves, ear defenders,
masks and a set of overalls - are
hanging on a hook in your garage
and use them wisely.
If you’re working with power
tools, protective gear is essential.
Never attempt to work under a
car without supporting it securely
using suitably strong axle stands.
If you haven’t got a fire
extinguisher, buy one and keep it
near to hand. The bottom line? If
you’re not completely confident
of your own ability to complete
any task safely, don’t even start it.
Leave it to the experts.82 ASK THE EXPERT
Our tech experts answer all your
Mini technical queries.
86 PRODUCTS
The latest selection of parts and
goodies to lavish upon your Mini.89 WORKSHOP
We visit Doug Taylor Metal Refinishers
to see the rechroming process.94 OUR MINIS
The latest from our Mini fleet, this
time featuring the cars of Tim, Gerard,
Stephen and Will..THE BODY SHOP
WordsGerard HughesPhotographyBMH/Gerard HughesIf your Mini’s bodywork has reached the end of the road,
replacing the bodyshell might be the answer.
“When it comes to saloons,
there’s nothing you can’t buy”
O
ne of the great benefits of Mini
ownership is the incredible parts
supply. It’s a luxury that few classic
marque owners can boast - being able to buy
practically every component new, off the
shelf. It’s a fantastic benefit when it comes to
keeping your Mini running and road legal,
but in the constant battle against rust, it’s the
availability of panels where the Mini stands
head and shoulders above any other marque.There aren’t many panels that are not
available - some parts for the commercials
are no longer made - but when it comes to
saloons, there’s nothing you can’t buy.
M-Machine started making replacement
panels for the early Minis way back in 1980,
initially to cater of the booming classic
market in that country but as the supply for
early cars dried up in the UK, they expanded
into the home market. Parts are
manufactured in their own press shop and
they’ve been responsible for many very high
quality restorations over the years, theyknow their parts will meet and even exceed
factory specification.
Even though the Mini has been well
served by experts in the aftermarket, it’s also
unique in the fact that the supply of ‘factory’
panels remains unbroken to this day, even
after production at Longbridge ceased in- British Motor Heritage Ltd was
established in 1975 to support owners of
classic cars and put genuine parts back into
the market place. The company was bought
from BMW in 2001, and with the end of
production, the press tools - many dating
from the earliest days of the Mini - were
transferred to BMH. Initially, these were
used to continue the supply of body panels,
but like so many other models that BMH
cater for, a complete new Mini body shell
was soon available.OUT OF THE SHELL
Initially, this was the standard MkV shell
that had just come out of production.hh
n
The essentials for keeping
your Mini on the road.
BEFORE
STARTING
The first rule of working on cars
and using tools of any kind is
don’t be stupid. Make sure
personal protective gear –
goggles, gloves, ear defenders,
masks and a set of overalls - are
hanging on a hook in your garage
and use them wisely.
If you’re working with power
tools, protective gear is essential.
Never attempt to work under a
car without supporting it securely
using suitably strong axle stands.
If you haven’t got a fire
extinguisher, buy one and keep it
near to hand. The bottom line? If
you’re not completely confident
of your own ability to complete
any task safely, don’t even start it.
Leave it to the experts.82 ASK THE EXPERT
Our tech experts answer all your
Mini technical queries.
86 PRODUCTS
The latest selection of parts and
goodies to lavish upon your Mini.89 WORKSHOP
We visit Doug Taylor Metal Refinishers
to see the rechroming process.94 OUR MINIS
The latest from our Mini fleet, this
time featuring the cars of Tim, Gerard,
Stephen and Will..THE BODY SHOP
WordsGerard HughesPhotographyBMH/Gerard HughesIf your Mini’s bodywork has reached the end of the road,
replacing the bodyshell might be the answer.
“When it comes to saloons,
there’s nothing you can’t buy”
O
ne of the great benefits of Mini
ownership is the incredible parts
supply. It’s a luxury that few classic
marque owners can boast - being able to buy
practically every component new, off the
shelf. It’s a fantastic benefit when it comes to
keeping your Mini running and road legal,
but in the constant battle against rust, it’s the
availability of panels where the Mini stands
head and shoulders above any other marque.There aren’t many panels that are not
available - some parts for the commercials
are no longer made - but when it comes to
saloons, there’s nothing you can’t buy.
M-Machine started making replacement
panels for the early Minis way back in 1980,
initially to cater of the booming classic
market in that country but as the supply for
early cars dried up in the UK, they expanded
into the home market. Parts are
manufactured in their own press shop and
they’ve been responsible for many very high
quality restorations over the years, theyknow their parts will meet and even exceed
factory specification.
Even though the Mini has been well
served by experts in the aftermarket, it’s also
unique in the fact that the supply of ‘factory’
panels remains unbroken to this day, even
after production at Longbridge ceased in- British Motor Heritage Ltd was
established in 1975 to support owners of
classic cars and put genuine parts back into
the market place. The company was bought
from BMW in 2001, and with the end of
production, the press tools - many dating
from the earliest days of the Mini - were
transferred to BMH. Initially, these were
used to continue the supply of body panels,
but like so many other models that BMH
cater for, a complete new Mini body shell
was soon available.OUT OF THE SHELL
Initially, this was the standard MkV shell
that had just come out of production.