'66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...

[slimbailess]

anything happening with this? it's been a while...

['68 Newtricks]

Just went through the 82 pages last night. My neck is sore from shaking my head. Unbelievable. I think even the purists, who might completely flip out at the idea of cutting up such a pristine car, would have to appreciate the work you have put into this. Not only making it a fun car you can daily drive, not just hacking it up, but one that retains it's original look and should last another half century with it's new paint etc. Kudos sir. Drive it, enjoy it, don't store it.

[fine69]

I love this build. I have met Mike. And his work is beyond top notch. Glad he took a so/so car and made it badazz.

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by slimbailess

anything happening with this? it's been a while...

Hey guys!

It has been a while. Slow going at "paint prison" as they say.

This is primarily my fault because I asked the painter to let me do most of the work with him and I have be having a hard time getting over there..!

Originally Posted by '68 Newtricks

Just went through the 82 pages last night. My neck is sore from shaking my head. Unbelievable. I think even the purists, who might completely flip out at the idea of cutting up such a pristine car, would have to appreciate the work you have put into this. Not only making it a fun car you can daily drive, not just hacking it up, but one that retains it's original look and should last another half century with it's new paint etc. Kudos sir. Drive it, enjoy it, don't store it.

Funny thing I've found about these cars; there aren't really any "purists" You will find traditional purists when it comes to Alpines and Tigers, but those guys use these cars for parts and generally couldn't care less about them...

There's a very small group who keep these on the road, even fewer fully restored and most of those are earlier models.

The biggest online gathering is a Hillman Yahoo group where I've encountered nothing but support for the project (and/or counter opinions kept to themselves ).

Originally Posted by fine69

I love this build. I have met Mike. And his work is beyond top notch. Glad he took a so/so car and made it badazz.

Thanks Mike! I'll never forget you guys coming out west to pick up that wagon and road-trip it home in the dead of winter

Here's the latest.

My front fender repair required some massaging. It's arrow straight now:


Right doors are on. Still working on alignment:




Once all the doors are on and aligned I've asked Bruce the bodyman to knock out the bodywork with or without me, so progress should accelerate.

[Frizzle Fry]

...also been working on engine paint prep:






Clear coated oil pan:

[Twisted78SS]

Looking Great Mike!

Can't wait to see you rippin it up out at PIR in 2015!

[67ChevyRedneck]

I don't know why, but this pic screams "toy model engine" to me (looks like a plastic model kit motor)

[watahyahknow]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Hey guys!

It has been a while. Slow going at "paint prison" as they say.

This is primarily my fault because I asked the painter to let me do most of the work with him and I have be having a hard time getting over there..!

Here's the latest.


Right doors are on. Still working on alignment:


Once all the doors are on and aligned I've asked Bruce the bodyman to knock out the bodywork with or without me, so progress should accelerate.

i heared about a guy once that had serious door fitment issues , he welded on gasweldingrod to the doors edge and filed that down untill her had propper doorgaps allround , takes a bit of time but if the doors are to small to fit the gap its a good solution

[mcbassin]

Very nice progress on the body work and engine prep.

[carboncrew]

That blue! Have a I mentioned I love it....ohh yeah I have

I love this thing

[67ChevyRedneck]

Wait... I just noticed this thing is a FOUR DOOR? I think you should take care of that. Should only take you a day or two to covert it to a 2 door?







I kid, I kid...

[MP&C]

But it's a grocery getter with attitude....

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by watahyahknow

i heared about a guy once that had serious door fitment issues , he welded on gasweldingrod to the doors edge and filed that down untill her had propper doorgaps allround , takes a bit of time but if the doors are to small to fit the gap its a good solution

That option is on the table. We'll do whatever it takes!

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Very nice progress on the body work and engine prep.

Thanks mayne

Originally Posted by carboncrew

That blue! Have a I mentioned I love it....ohh yeah I have

I love this thing

glad you're enjoying it!

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Wait... I just noticed this thing is a FOUR DOOR? I think you should take care of that. Should only take you a day or two to covert it to a 2 door?

Believe me, I've seriously considered it. Renderings and all. ..must ...resist

Originally Posted by MP&C

But it's a grocery getter with attitude....

It does have a little 'tude back with the doors on again. Remember it's sitting high with no weight in it. Will be moar low = more 'tude

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by Twisted78SS

Looking Great Mike!

Can't wait to see you rippin it up out at PIR in 2015!

Me too!

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

I don't know why, but this pic screams "toy model engine" to me (looks like a plastic model kit motor)

It's the selective focus effect.

[IADC43]

This is the next logical step, after it is all buttoned up and zooming you around town...

[watahyahknow]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmiCR5TPIVg

mighty carmods , they have a bunch of vids on youtube , there funny at times
most are based on the asian tuningscene

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by IADC43

This is the next logical step, after it is all buttoned up and zooming you around town...

...but just for the record I shaved the Honda Logo and VTEC lettering from the coil cover for a reason.

Originally Posted by watahyahknow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmiCR5TPIVg

mighty carmods , they have a bunch of vids on youtube , there funny at times
most are based on the asian tuningscene

Yep, know them. They're funny dudes.

[watahyahknow]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

...but just for the record I shaved the Honda Logo and VTEC lettering from the coil cover for a reason.

i'm going to try to hide the engines origine as whell when i'm done with it
see i need to pull the v8 out of my truck and change it back to an inline 6 as the former owner "forgot" to reregister the truck from inline 6 to v8
if i reregister it now it whont be a classic truck no more (new regulations require the truck to be 2/3th original and i lost the cab vinplate) the rdw here stamps their number intoo the framerails so its still legal as long a i stay away from them asking to reregister it and safe myself from having to pay (a lot of) roadtax to be able to drive it around

a chevy 6 that is suposed to go intoo the truck cost a lot of money here for the amount of engine (low power and realy old ) i get (in the old days it was the other way around and the v8's where like gold)
so my plan is to use a jaguar aj6 (100 bucks for a 20 year old engine compared to 500 for a 40 year old chevy) its a 6 inline all aluminium with 24 valves

good thing about the engine is theres not realy any cast in jaguar logo and the valvecover could eazily be an aftermarket item from edelbrock
another good thing about this engine is that some jaguars had a 4l80E and that will bolt to this motor and take the existing linkage in the chevy truck
the only thing i'm conserned about is that the motor is mounted slightly to the driver side and might interfere with the brakebooster and master cilinder

[jkeating1]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Speaking of wheels, I'd like to find some 17" steelies to use during the body/paint work (must be 17" to clear the brakes). Ideally something decent enough that later I can adapt the original hub caps and run them when I'm feeling the OG vibe.

So far it seems Crown Vic steelies might be the best option at 17x7.5. Anything with a 5x4.5" or 5x114.3mm you guys can suggest I'm all ears.

If you want new, these Pacer steel wheels for an Explorer might work http://www.carid.com/pacer-wheels/83...k-9928171.html
They're supposed to be available in 17"

[watahyahknow]

looked for 5x114 on google and ended up on
Dodge - Avenger - (67.1)
Honda - Accord vanaf 2008 - (64.1)
Mazda - MX-5 (NB en NC vanaf 2003) - (67.1)
Mazda - RX7 - (59.6)
Mazda - RX8 - (67.1)
Nissan - 200SX S14 - (66.1)
Subaru - Impreza Turbo - (56.1)
Toyota - Supra MK3 - (60.1)
Toyota - Supra MK4 - (60.1)

theres allso a 5x114.3 that should work in a jam if you hog the holes out a bit :
Chevrolet - Leganza - (56.6)
Chrysler - 300M - (71.5)
Chrysler - Voyager tot 2001 - (71.5)
Chrysler - Voyager vanaf 2001 - (71.5)
Daihatsu - Terios tot 2006 - (66.6)
Daihatsu - Terios vanaf 2006 - (66.6)
Dodge - Caliber - (67.1)
Dodge - Nitro - (71.5)
Ford - Explorer - (70.5)
Ford - Probe - (67.1)
Honda - Accord vanaf 2003 - (64.1)
Honda - Civic Type R - (64.1)
Honda - CR-V - (64.1)
Honda - FR-V - (64.1)
Honda - HR-V - (64.1)
Honda - S2000 achteras - (64.1)
Honda - S2000 vooras - (70.2)
Honda - Stream - (56.1)
Hyundai - Coupe vanaf 2002 - (67.1)
Hyundai - Santa Fe - (67.1)
Hyundai - Sonata - (67.1)
Hyundai - Trajet - (67.1)
Hyundai - Tucson - (67.1)
Hyundai - XG - (67.1)
Infiniti - EX37 - (66.1)
Infiniti - FX (35/45/50) - (66.1)
Infiniti - G35 - (66.1)
Infiniti - G37 Coupe - (66.1)
Jeep - Cherokee - (71.6)
Jeep - Grand Cherokee tot 99 - (71.6)
Jeep - Wrangler - (71.6)
Kia - Carens vanaf 2006 - (67.1)
Kia - Carnival - (67.1)
Kia - Ceed - (67.1)
Kia - Soul - (67.1)
Kia - Sportage vanaf 2004 - (67.1)
Kia - Venga - (67.1)
Land Rover - Freelander tot 2006 - (54.1)
Lexus - GS 300/430 - (60.1)
Lexus - IS 200/250/300 - (60.1)
Lexus - LS 400/430 - (60.1)
Lexus - SC 430 - (60.1)
Mazda - 3 - (67.1)
Mazda - 5 - (67.1)
Mazda - 6 - (67.1)
Mazda - 626 - (67.1)
Mazda - MPV - (67.1)
Mazda - MX-6 - (67.1)
Mazda - Premacy - (67.1)
Mazda - Tribute - (67.1)
Mazda - Xedos 6/9 - (67.1)
Mitsubishi - Eclipse - (67.1)
Mitsubishi - Grandis - (67.1)
Mitsubishi - L300 / L400 - (67.1)
Mitsubishi - Lancer - (67.1)
Mitsubishi - Outlander - (67.1)
Mitsubishi - Panjero Pinin - (67.1)
Mitsubishi - Space Wagon tot 99 - (67.1)
Nissan - 300ZX Z32 - (66.1)
Nissan - 350z - (66.1)
Nissan - 370Z - (66.1)
Nissan - Almera Tino - (66.1)
Nissan - Maxima QX - (66.1)
Nissan - Murano - (66.1)
Nissan - Primera vanaf 2002 - (66.1)
Nissan - Qashqai - (66.1)
Nissan - X-Trail - (66.1)
Peugeot - 4007 - (67.1)
Renault - Koleos - (66.1)
Renault - Laguna 3 vanaf 2008 - (66.1)
Renault - Megane 3 vanaf 2008 - (66.1)
Subaru - B9 Tribeca - ()
Suzuki - Grand vitara vanaf 2005 - (60.1)
Suzuki - Swift Sport 2006 - (60.1)
Suzuki - SX4 - (60.1)
Toyota - Auris - (60.1)
Toyota - Avensis III - (60.1)
Toyota - Avensis Verso - (60.1)
Toyota - Camry - (60.1)
Toyota - Celica vanaf 1999 - (54.1)
Toyota - Corolla Verso - (60.1)
Toyota - Hi-Ace tot 1995 - (67.1)
Toyota - MR2 tot 2001 - (60.1)
Toyota - Picnic - (60.1)
Toyota - Previa - (60.1)
Toyota - Rav4 - (60.1)
theres a LOT more choice there

another thing you could do is remove the front brakecalipers from the disks and stick a piece of steel between the pads about brakedisksize and hang them to the frame before driving it intoo the paintbooth
that way you can basicly jam the wheels against the disk and it will still be able to roll and brake , you can even stuff plasic in there so theres no paint landing on the disks

[Frizzle Fry]

Thanks guys. I'll look at those. I'd really like them not to have a bunch of holes like a spare.

[Marty68]

this build is Awesome. i have pondered over it several times. i wish i had your patience persistance and abilities. i would be tempted to leave those door gaps alone, except you would for EVER see them and say i should have... then you will blow it apart and make it a two door. part of what makes this car awesome is that IT IS A 4 DR.

[mcmlxix]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Speaking of wheels, I'd like to find some 17" steelies to use during the body/paint work (must be 17" to clear the brakes). Ideally something decent enough that later I can adapt the original hub caps and run them when I'm feeling the OG vibe.

So far it seems Crown Vic steelies might be the best option at 17x7.5. Anything with a 5x4.5" or 5x114.3mm you guys can suggest I'm all ears.

http://www.wheelvintiques.com/index....14-series.html

17x7 with 4 5/8 back space.

[Frizzle Fry]

Long/short: the body shop didn't touch the car the whole time I was out of town in December... Some door alignment progress was made this week. I'm heading over there after work tonight help figure out how to tweak/trim/beat to improve the doors fit. There's more to the door alignment story I'll get to in the next update.

[38chevyhotrod]

Still following your project, i am loving the work you're doing on it.
Saw this come by on my facebook page.
http://bangshift.com/general-news/ca...ome-homebuilt/