160 BHP Supercharged Mini - Modern Performance with Classic Charm !

[@roberttaylor6075]

I'm sat here on a saturday morning with a brew and a big smile on my face, what a car.

[@PetrolPed]

It has that ability to put a smile on your face :-)

[@rognvaldrasbjrn3972]

That is the most beautiful mini I've seen. And makes a beautiful noise..

[@PetrolPed]

It sure does 👍

[@MostynFaulkner]

Thank you From Capistrano Beach California. I am a member of SCMM (Southern California Mini Maniacs) and drove my first Mini in 1966. I have owned 2 AH bugeyes over the years and love the A series engines.

[@PetrolPed]

Hi there. Thanks for the comment :-)

[@jondrizzle4554]

Owned minis in the past including a pickup That is probably the nicest most tastefully modified one I've ever seen Thumbs up to.the owner

[@PetrolPed]

I’ll pass on your comment to Mark the owner. He will be chuffed 👍

[@aussiebloke609]

15:20 This is something a lot of younger Mini owners don't realise - that cast iron block is pretty heavy for its size (especially when compared to the weight of the rest of the car), and that imbalance in weight distribution actually helps with the handling. There's plenty of people making more power with Honda or Hayabusa engines, and they look and sound great blasting along in a straight line, but they generally don't handle quite as well (or at least, as well to my liking) as this more original setup. And it's an relatively old-school engine setup - I remember a few supercharged Minis with carbs when I was a kid in Sydney, back in the late 80s. :-)

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Mate. Great point and glad you enjoyed the vid :-)

[@markwalker5984]

I haven’t owned a classic Mini since 1994 but this reminds me I really need to again. Love the footage from outside - so much room on the road and corners like a scalextric! Mark is a brave man - he did manage to smile a couple of times though!

[@PetrolPed]

He sure is. We are now great friends 👍

[@19markz67]

One of your best videos. Thanks Mark. Mark looked a bit on the edge, but it was great when you could get him to smile and really talk about his Mini. I was totally impressed that he had done most of the work himself. I liked the more conversational style of this video. Well done. More like this please. Best wishes from California.

[@PetrolPed]

Wow, thats great to hear. Mark was very good letting me drive his baby. Thanks for the feedback on the conversational style. Glad you enjoyed it as I've filmed another one today with a Lancia Delta HF Integrale rally car !!!

[@evomark4077]

Thank you MarkZ for your comments. I have put many , many hours into this car & it’s great to hear positive comments such as yours. Regards, Mark.

[@MangoJago1984]

evomark4077 what wheels are they? 6x10 deep dish ultralights??? Are you using spacers or is that the standard offset you get with them wheels? Awesome car by the way 👍🏻

[@evomark4077]

Hi Mango Very sorry for taking so long to reply to you. They are 6 x10 Ultralights from Huddersfield Mini Spares. No spacers as such, but running Cooper-s front hubs & Superminifin rear drums which does introduce a degree of “spacer’ in effect. @@MangoJago1984

[@beverleydutton63]

I know the owner and he very kindly took me out for a spin in the mini as I like fast cars. What a fantastic car, so smooth but fast, it looks like a puppy but it's really a lion that roars very loudly. You can see it g as been lovingly looked after. Loved it

[@PetrolPed]

Great to hear Beverley. Mark is such a top bloke and his car is VERY special :-)

[@NigelMarston]

My first two cars, in the mid/late 1980s were minis. The second one had a 1275 engine bored to approx 1400cc with nearly 100bhp. That felt like a rocket then. 150bhp supercharged one must be spectacular. Got me looking at the classifieds again.

[@PetrolPed]

Be quick prices are going up 😜

[@mrtoyotatrd6126]

I realize this video is 5 months old but I have to say that I want one! I want a classic mini so damn bad! Especially a right hand drive one. I absolutely love my 2004 Cooper S, it's red with white wheels, white mirrors, white hood stripes, and white roof with a full moonroof. Supercharged 1.6L I4 with a 6 speed manual transmission. One of my dream cars since I watched The Italian Job (2003) for the first time. So happy to have it, and it makes me smile.

[@PetrolPed]

Sounds like a nice ride. I hope you have watch the original Italian Job too ? ;-)

[@markowen5616]

Right. That’s me inspired to get mine back on the road for next summer. Thanks gents. Great film.

[@mikekennedy9383]

I always enjoy your videos, Pete - and I think I enjoyed this one almost as much as you did! What a gift to get to drive such a machine! I've always been fond of the Mini and have seen a vast array of engine and drive train modifications - the VTech, the Hyabusa, EV, etc., - and while I've always appreciated the creativity, nothing completely grabbed me. This is the first time I've seen an upgraded original engine with a supercharger and I am now grabbed! I loved the driving characteristics. Fabulous! Thanks to you and Mark for letting us enjoy his car vicariously.

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks Mike 👍

[@mikenorris5378]

If I had a Mini with 160hp I would look that serious/worried. Fabulous Mini, glad it's got the A series and not a bike engine. That makes it proper.

[@evomark4077]

Hi Mike Thank you for your interest & your comments. I do enjoy the fact that it still has an A-series engine & I believe that they only handle like Mini’s with the original engine. I enjoy driving it very much & I am pleased that you enjoyed the video. Best Wishes.

[@sbludba]

You needs bigger brakes at the front. Spring suspension instead of rubber. But beautiful. Having the original engine. And 160 horses. Double the cooper s power.

[@markellis4229]

Evomark 4077 I Love your mini I’m looking into doing the same thing to my mini 1275 any advice to give me Please if you do not mind

[@robboddcc3003]

Nervous smile at 8.34 😂 I’ve been round Castle Combe in that car with Mark, and I still remember it vividly. It wasn’t the car it is today, but still great fun, producing the odd “trouser moment” ! 😆

[@lorrainebeckett281]

After you mentioned this video on the recent Jaguar review we looked it up to watch as this was before we followed you. Love this stunning Mini, she’s a beauty and a fun drive ! Really wish I could have kept my first car which was an original red Mini and would now have had her for 32 years from new - if only !

[@PetrolPed]

I love this car 😍

[@slatergenius]

Thoroughly enjoyed watching this Pete! Your enthusiasm for your love of cars really shines through and it's so refreshing to see from a die hard petrol fan like myself. Thank you mate.

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks Jack. Glad you enjoyed it. This is still one of my favourite cars I have driven on the channel so far. Just full of character :-)

[@2.fresh767]

Love it, car to be proud of, and that steering wheel should be in an art gallery.

[@PetrolPed]

Beautiful isn't it :-)

[@chappy4424]

Great car! My Dad rebuilt a mini 1275GT many years ago. It took him 7 years of hard work nights weekends the car was superb new alloys total engine rebuild completely resprayed. The 1st week after he put it through its MOT and started driving it on the roads he shot through a junction on a dark night and hit a black cab which wrote the mini off. Luckily he was fine and no one injured. All that work gone in an instant ☹

[@PetrolPed]

Oh no 🤦‍♂️

[@spennell98]

That had to feel like a true privilege. I could see the joy in your face and the beaming pride in the owner’s face. Incredible.

[@PetrolPed]

The beginning of a great friendship 👍

[@stevenharmer9904]

Awesome car. Saw it today at the Kenley car show. What an example...

[@barefeats]

That supercharger scream is priceless. Definitely the original MINI they always should have made. And I daily give thanks for the supercharger in my 2006 Neo MINI John Cooper Works which makes me smile each time I floor it on a freeway ramp.

[@PetrolPed]

A very addictive noise !

[@johnwood518]

Fantastic sound for a mini, it sounds like the new TT AUDI you hear that whine from 100yards away breathtaking.

[@RogerDrinkwater]

❤ fantastic engineering and attention to detail. Rocket in sheeps clothing and nothing to give away the super level of engineering that's in the mini and so well disguised and shown off on the video.😮

[@sharkamov]

*Pure, unadulterated automotive **_FUN_** on four wheels!!!* - What really put the icing on this gem, is the ol' school wooden/alu 'GT' steering wheel though! - Nothing, but _nothing_ gives you the exact same feel of 'contact' with the steering mechanism and the front wheels! . . . . ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💓

[@billrose1125]

A little jewel of a car Peter! Thanks for sharing mate!

[@PetrolPed]

My pleasure Bill :-)

[@Hazeder422]

Currently rebuilding a 1988 mini with a 1275, long process with lots of welding to come but will be a great first car🙂

[@PetrolPed]

You will love it when it's done :-)

[@dennisdunham9950]

Damn it! Gezzzus!! I’ve fallen in love with this car !!!!

[@darrenstewart2415]

Currently on a Garret T-3 turbo, new T-25 included.and front mont rad included. It’s running a 4 core now. Spax adjustable shocks. High, lows. Deep sump. Well sorted car. Just don’t have the time / space to ship to the US

[@PoJoWo]

Wonderful sympathetic build. Alec Issigonis would approve of marks attitude I'm sure. I had a lovely Mayfair as my first car that I modded about and learnt about handling in. Mark is so correct when he talks about the weight distribution and how that ties into driving an original mini. Lifting off and timing gear changes is life and death with them and a turbo charged engine can just be too inconsistent in its delivery. I put a metro turbo in mine and it made it so hard to keep in the sweet spot and quite lethal leaving corners if the turbo wasnt playing the game. I eventually returned it to 1000cc with an Austin 1100 cam and big exhaust ports as per the vizard book and it went back to being a much more precise and pilotable fun drive. A five speed would certainly make for an easier time at cruising speeds but its so hard to get the ratios right. Thanks for showing us this both of you.

[@PetrolPed]

Glad you enjoyed it :-) Thanks for sharing your Mini story too. Such great little cars.

[@beemer281]

Another brilliant video ,I owned a 998cc Cooper and a 1275cc Cooper S,,whats not to love ?!! I admire your genuine enthusiasm it makes watching your videos so enjoyable....Cheers Richard

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks Richard. Glad you enjoyed it :-)

[@evomark4077]

Thank you for your kind comment Richard

[@evomark4077]

If any ‘Peddlers’ would like to see this car in the flesh, it will be on the Waterloo Classics stand at the upcoming London Classic Car Show at Olympia from the 20th -23rd February 2020. If you come along, please say Hi & mention Petrol Ped!

[@lukeroberts6246]

What engine management are you using? Distributor or aftermarket ECU?

[@evomark4077]

@@lukeroberts6246 Hi Luke, the car is running a distributor made by Bestek Engineering. It is similar to an Aldon Yellow in specification. Regards, Mark

[@GenaF]

An absolutely lovely Mini. It's taken me 20 years to own a 'new Mini'. I got my f56 Cooper S in March, 5 hours before lockdown was announced and I've been ecstatically happy, BUT watching your video has taken me right back to my teenage years with my first blue Mini 1000 EHL 395V (the blue streak, as me dad called it). I loved everything about it including the old Mini smell, it's unique and I actually thought it was unique to that particular car, but when I got Betty, BHE 909T, my black Mini 1000 which had also belonged to my Dad, but also my sister and I found that it too had the same mini smell 😂 . I would have loved a bit more power like this one as I soon used mine. I'm in love with your Mini. I'm about to enter a prize draw to win a Mini 35 with a 1380cc engine from U.K. Minis. Maybe you'd like a go too. competition.ukminis.co.uk/

[@evomark4077]

@@Oldguytechreview Hi Franken. A list of all the changes would be very long indeed. Stuart Gurr of Vmaxscart does do bolt-on kits, but this engine was built specifically to be supercharged & therefore has quite an extensive list of modifications that were included in the build. If you need a full list, please email me at [e-mail]

[@evomark4077]

@@Oldguytechreview Hi. I have not received any of your emails I’m afraid.

[@timofthomas]

I once had a 1982 Mayfair that had been re-engined a few times. The guy before me swapped in a 998cc for me as an L driver - but what he didn't tell me was it was a Cooper engine. With the 12 inch wheel conversion, front discs, and a small donut of a steering wheel it was a dream to drive - with all the sound deadening and the carpet stripped out new valves, head skim and a slight lift to the compression, 'nose' tuned (on the rocker cover) it was good for 105mph on an airfield speed-trap. I loved it but sadly it was more rust than car and had to be taken off the road permanently. I miss her :(

[@evomark4077]

I’m pleased to say that I will be taking the car to the PetrolPed meet in December.

[@PetrolPed]

Or the meet in October 😂

[@pachy444]

Lovely job & Mark's face at 11.45 when you took both hands off the wheel hahaha.. Never do that in a fast classic mini.

[@grahamaston7603]

Absolutely fantastic mini,what dreams are made of.No gimmicks definately less is more,classics for ever.😀

[@davidkennedy1077]

I love the original Mini!!! I remember a time my mate took me out in his 1.0ltr Mini (lowered, fat 10" alloys) We came off an A road sliproad that went steeply downhill to a small roundabout. My mate barely slowed down, and we flew round that roundabout at an incredible speed with the tyres screeching in protest. I thought my mate was just showing off the Minis incredible cornering ability. No, the look on his face said it all, the brakes (that had been worked on that same day) had failed!!! If we had been in any other car, we would definitely skidded and crashed or even rolled!!! Only a Mini could have taken that roundabout at that speed, after that I had a new found respect for the Mini. The car featured must be incredible fun, I've been out in tuned up 1380 Minis with better suspension, fat alloys, sports exhausts etc. But a fairly stock looking Mini with 160 bhp must be awesome. I love it!!!

[@PetrolPed]

Oh wow...scary !

[@davidkennedy1077]

@@PetrolPed like I said, I thought he was just going for it, as we were proper Boy Racers back in the day. I dont think hed slowed much from the 60/70mph he was doing along the A road, so we were doing 50+mph round the roundabout!!! It was only after we'd shot round the roundabout that he stammered out "the @#$%in brakes don't work!", face all pale haha!!!

[@evomark4077]

Hi David, that’s a great story - fairly similar to many of mine back in the day! :-)

[@davidkennedy1077]

@@evomark4077 I actually saw my mate, the driver of the Mini, a couple of days back. He mentioned another scary aspect to the tale. As we came up to the roundabout, he had realised the brakes had failed and that another car was on the roundabout heading straight for us. He just had to shoot out straight in front of it and round the roundabout!!! It really couldn't have been much worse haha!!! That Mini (although it tried to kill us!) definitely saved our bacon that day!!! Great little motors!!!

[@evomark4077]

@@davidkennedy1077 I definitely got up to stuff in a Mini in the 80’s that I wouldn’t try (or admit to) these days! :-)

[@MrOvershoot]

Nice to see Mark wore a shirt matching Petrol Ped's logo :) Pure enjoyment in an original Mini.

[@PetrolPed]

Indeed 👍

[@jackiepooley5616]

I had the good fortune to be taken for a spin in this little beauty recently and couldn't believe the power it had for such a small car. The experience was exhilarating if a little scary at times! It is its owner's pride and joy and is immaculate. He always seems to be doing something on it to make it even faster, more responsive or more manouverable, and it looks gorgeous with its metallic orange/bronze coloured body and black roof. I was told that it could corner on three wheels, so look forward to another spin to see for myself!

[@PetrolPed]

It's a fab little car isn't it :-) So full of character !

[@evomark4077]

Hi Jackie. I’m glad you enjoyed the experience, but if you were only a “little scared”, then I’ll have to try harder next time!

[@bryanstrange7094]

What a fantastic car! Great video PP, and thanks to Mark for allowing access to your very precious masterpiece. I think you may have created the perfect Mini. I loved my 70's 750 mini. It consumed petrol, oil and water in approximately equal quantities but somehow kept going and it was always a hoot to drive. Of all the cars I've parted with, it remains the one I'd love to have back.

[@evomark4077]

If only mine would consume petrol at the same rate that it consumes oil & water. Slurps at about 16MPG when really going for it! Regards, Mark.

[@abboblue78]

Loved my mini in my youth, just wish I’d got it now.

[@RenoLaringo]

I almost had the identical same car with same mods. Mine was dark blue with a whit roof and white 10" wide offset rims and Yoko tires. Central 50mm exhaust from end to end; tuned cylinder head, bigger bore double coil valves, lightened flywheel, etc, etc.... I ended up to have to seriously reinforce the front half chassis cse it ripped through my "A"panels like if it was nothing... too much torque. It has been the most fun to drive car I ever had, and I've had my bunch of tuned classics. This one topped them all !!! The only car I really miss. It had a real personnality of its own with some electrical quirks. Some time it was in a bad mood, sometimes everything worked fine, with no apparent reason... like if it was possessed, I'm not kidding. You are right about the smell. I still clearly remember it, it was unique.

[@1chish]

Doesn't this show just how far ahead of everyone else the British automotive industry was 'back in the day'. Issigonis was a rare genius who changed millions of lives. And you want space? There is still more space in an 1100 / 1300 than a modern 'Mini'!

[@PetrolPed]

LOL !

[@stevefuller1779]

You are so right, it is a total tragedy that we let our car industry die, can you imagine the Italians letting Ferrari be sold to the Chinese!

[@user-ks5ff]

Britain created the past 400 years of history.

[@stepheneldridge6998]

That was great...brilliant mini!....Very kind of Mark to let you drive his baby....he did have a slightly 'don't blow it up' look at times! Steve

[@PetrolPed]

It's a proper pocket rocket and Mark is indeed very kind :-)

[@gusgus3093]

Loved the video - very professional. I've know Mark for over 30 years and only ever been a passenger... I once sat in the driver's seat but the keys were nowhere to be found!

[@PetrolPed]

I was very lucky to get behind the wheel 🙏🏻

[@arkhsm]

I've owned an original 850, and the best fun is had using it's nippy-ness to keep any, and all momentum that huge 30hp could deliver. Also loved to drive into parallel parks head on; non of that backing in stuff !!

[@arkhsm]

P.s., love tha the whole Mini character is retained by keeping it A series-ed, as they are torquey little things !!

[@davidsmith2356]

In the 60s my mate had a F1 Mini Cooper, it used to produce sparks when he went down the undulating road surfaces.

[@PetrolPed]

👏👏👏

[@jameshastings8831]

this is my sort of thing 😍😍dreams build !!

[@PetrolPed]

Mine too James !

[@streakyfish]

A tuned Mini is always something special!

[@FezzaYT]

great video mate. Really enjoyed watching that. It looked like huge fun. Love the originals and it must be incredible with a supercharger!

[@PetrolPed]

Mate...it was bonkers ! Such fun to drive and I really didn't tap into it's full potential. Mark car drive this car like you wouldn't believe !!

[@justin6378]

I'm glad he didn't go the turbo route!

[@SANDSCORCHER]

Glorious little gem. Lovely colour choice too.

[@PetrolPed]

It's a little corker :-)

[@drveritystrange-fish4685]

I gave up the BMW Minis years ago (Mini Cooper, Mini Cooper S and finally a Mini Cooper S Works) all of which promised everything but were nothing but trouble. Bought a 1999 Mini Cooper Monza six years ago and have never looked back. Because it's a rare model, I've been told not to modify it; I'll certainly look into this though!

[@PetrolPed]

Sounds like a future classic there :-)

[@drveritystrange-fish4685]

I certainly hope so, but that's the trouble. Everyone tells me to keep it original!

[@johnmcfarland2055]

Many years ago I owned a 1965 Mini Cooper S, white with a black roof. Wide wheels, covered arches, custom dash and a very small leather steering wheel. It wasn't tuned like this one in the video, but it went like a rocket.

[@PetrolPed]

I bet you wish you still had it ? It would be worth a fortune now !

[@chrisd3697]

I love the Mini. I had a 1969 gold seal 850 as my first car. absolutely loved it. wish i could have another one.

[@PetrolPed]

I wish I could have this one that’s for sure 😍

[@FOOKYOUTUBENUMBERS]

Credit to the Owner Topdraw Mini Love Minis, My First Car paid £40 at age15 done it all up my Self sold it for 2k, regretted it ever since, this makes want 1 again.

[@PetrolPed]

Mark is a top bloke and I love his Mini too !

[@DMX-PAT]

I just bought one today, drove it home in the rain and a bunch of water came in through the air vent and got on the headlight switches and I was just glad it didn't short them out...

[@PetrolPed]

Oops !

[@evomark4077]

Welcome to the world of original Mini’s. Loads of quirks, but loads of fun!

[@finlaydownham-white6823]

I think I may have fallen in love with it. This has got to be my dream first car, a lovely little mini like this, with all the interior trim, looks and power haha! Really intriguing video

[@evomark4077]

Thank you for your comment Finlay. I love owning it & it is wonderful to discover that others like it too.

[@pub6023]

Great job by the owner, great vid also....a safe bet will be that you will be the first and last person he lets drive it! It almost killed him being in the passenger seat, not that there was anything done wrong....it’s just a true enthusiast thing, it’s just too painful. Well done gents!

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks Peter. I was a very lucky boy being able to drive this brilliant little car :-)

[@FizulNizam]

Love the build so much 😍😍😍😍

[@finlaydownham-white6823]

If this could be my first car it would. Hopefully my first car will be a classic mini, if I can get one for a reasonable price that is good enough to work on. But this is different. Brilliant little car! What an owner and what a car!

[@cuppatea9117]

Finlay Downham-White I'm hoping to get enough to mod my mrk 4 golf (not rice)

[@roycesmart8019]

Finlay Downham-White i have one for my first car just have t9 figure out try to find 1275 3000. Or bike or honda diahtsu

[@markh6997]

Owner's expression priceless!

[@PetrolPed]

He was very trusting :-)

[@ivancarter7564]

My dad worked on the minis used by the italian job ...in fact it was my dad who pointed the drains under coventry to the producers

[@ivancarter7564]

@Jax Teller ok you clearly know far better ... I must regurgitate that dinner they took us to at the allysley hotel

[@ivancarter7564]

@Jax Teller you obviously know better

[@ivancarter7564]

@Jax Teller come on tell us your version

[@geofo60]

Definitely worth waiting for Peter. A really well thought out Mini & the colour a tip of the hat to the original 'Orange Crate'. Supercharger fits in like it's a factory unit ( is it a Shorrocks ?), it has a very low line & capped off with the Weber carburettor = perfection. Handling was really good, brakes seem to do their job well & the icing on the cake - huge smile from ear to ear. Congratulations to Mark for building a really well engineered Mini of which I'm 💯-% sure he's as proud as punch. Peter you were right, I was definitely not disappointed. Thanks to you both for sharing this video. 10/10 & a gold star ⭐️ to Mark for building his dream. All the best guys from the depths of paradise................Gloucestershire.

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks Geof. I thought you would like this one !

[@evomark4077]

Thank you for your generous comments Geof. I am very proud of the car & appreciate feedback such as yours. Best Regards.

[@geofo60]

evomark4077 You are very welcome Mark. Took me back to a time in my life when Mini's were everything. I passed my driving test in one back in 1971 (in the snow) & owned several afterwards. Now I'm a fan of the 'new' MINI, on my 7th, but never forget those wonderful times. All the very best, Geof.

[@robertcollins5307]

That's a supercharged video too ! Great channel and mini my favourite car :)

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Robert, this is a supercharged comment and I'm glad you enjoyed it :-)

[@tante0leen]

in one word.. beautiful!! It spurs me on to finish my mini because driving it is more than half the fun and seeing this video just makes me miss it more.. so thnx for a fantastic video and and a great push into working more on my on project! i hope to see it on next years imm in england!

[@PetrolPed]

Good luck with the project. Get cracking and let me know when it's done :-)

[@tante0leen]

Petrol Ped. I might even do that. ;)

[@46danz]

Wow...stunning car,proper sleeper.The engine bay looks great..

[@PetrolPed]

I love this car !

[@darenderbyshire1089]

Stunning classic mini and Ruby looking great 👍🏻

[@PetrolPed]

Thank you 🙏

[@evomark4077]

Many thanks for your comment.

[@nikberni5857]

Wow the colonel does gravy ,cars nice too.

[@lclarkwells]

Nice Rokee dash! And I love the little bracket that lowers the steering column - those are hard to come by (or they used to be). Very enjoyable video! I once owned a heavily-modified 1966 Morris (like this one) Cooper S, and, if there was an audience, I'd drive the car into a parallel parking space at an angle, nose in and tail out, and then get out of the car and walk around to the corner sticking out, put my back against the rear corner and pick the car up by the wheel well, and slide the whole back end in to the curb! My favorite car out of many!

[@PetrolPed]

LOL...love this !

[@evomark4077]

Hi Clark, you’re clearly a very knowledgeable man regarding old Mini’s. Very few people recognise the dash as being a Rokee & even fewer would notice the column lowering bracket! I’ll award you 100 points out of 10 if you can tell me where the rear-view mirror came from!!!!

[@lclarkwells]

You've got me there, because I'm only really familiar with British cars of long ago. I'm in the USA and minis weren't imported after 1967 or so. But one thing I did notice was that a bit of the music early on was taken from The Italian Job movie (1969), and you, as owner of the car, must be a big fan, too! "Croker/Bridger" on the sticker on the back of the car were the names of the characters played by Michael Caine and Noel Coward in the movie! To get back to this car - the one feature that I think would make a world of difference, and of course improve driving pleasure, would be to swap out the gearbox with a close ratio Cooper S one. Jack Knight and KAD make gearboxes that have not only the 4 close-ratio gears that the Cooper S had, but also a 5th (overdrive) gear, but of course these boxes are quite expensive. Your excellent video brought back many great memories. I can just imagine the sense of accomplishment in keeping such a treasure operating as if new. The mini did so much for the economy that the designer, Alec Issigonis, was knighted. When Soichiro Honda, stepped down from running his company, he mentioned that a large part of Honda's success should be given to Alec Issigonis's, who's venerable mini design ushered in a new class of car - with front-wheel-drive and a transversely mounted motor. Your classic car is a little piece of history.

[@evomark4077]

You are spot-on regarding the gearbox. A close-ratio 5-speed is one of the few things left that I plan to do to the car, hopefully over the winter of 2018/19. You are correct regarding the ‘ItalianJob’ references & of course I’m a fan of the film, what Mini owner wouldn’t be? :-) The rear view mirror btw was from a De-Tomaso Pantera & features indicator repeaters in the mirror glass itself. One other item that is now very rare is the centre console, it was standard equipment in the 1979 Mini Special, but they are as rare as hens teeth these days. Many thanks for your interest in my car & the Petrol Ped channel, your enthusiasm & knowledge are impressive.

[@lclarkwells]

I have driven many cars in my 50+ years of driving, and the most satisfyingly FUN driving has been behind the little thick black foam (11"?) steering wheel that I had installed on my Morris Cooper S (selecting the MGA spline). Driving it felt like driving a go-kart, with only 1 7/8 complete turns of the wheel from all the way right to all the way left. It's all about power and weight, and my mini was pretty evenly-matched to the V8 powered Mustangs and Camaros I would drag race from stoplights. The mini had a bit under 1/2 the power of the small V8s, but the mini also weighed less than 1/2 of these American "pony" cars. And, as I mentioned earlier, it was more fun to drive than any of the other cars I have owned, including: an Austin-Healey 3000 BJ8, Sunbeam Tiger, English Ford Anglia, 2 MG 1100s, an Austin America, 9 or 10 Morris Minor sedans and Travellers, a Jaguar XJ6, a 1966 Buick GS400 convertible, a 1971 BMW 2002 Alpina with 2 2-barrel Weber carbs, a ZF close-ratio 5-speed, etc., and many others cars. I love my 18 year old Saturn wagon with it's 128 hp DOHC engine, MacPherson strut front suspension, front and rear ant-sway bars, close ratio (automatic) gears, and plastic body panels. But what I love about it is it's light weight! It actually weighs less than a new, tiny, Fiat 500! But when I dream? I dream MINI COOPER Ss!

[@Holdeenio]

His expression when you revved her out was hilarious. Great video and amazing car.

[@PetrolPed]

Mark is a VERY cool guy for letting me drive his car and he was egging me on to go quicker !!

[@weedaviec]

Awesome mini. I've had a green 1000, a white mini van (why did I sell it???!!!) & a yellow 1275 with 165/10s on Weller steelies. Incredible cars.

[@theondebray]

I'm in the process of rebuilding my 1400cc Vizard spec 1981 Minivan, as a retirement present to myself. (It featured in CCC mag October 1982.) Nothing to beat it.

[@matthewshaw6275]

Very nice Mini The Old one,s are much better looks like alot of time,s gone into this one Love Engine Bay & DASH Clocks

[@PetrolPed]

This car is VERY loved !

[@MrAndyLocksmith]

“Everything I’ve done to this car I’ve done as that’s what I wanted to do to it”. 👍🏻

[@larryfleck8369]

Great video !!!. My first Mini was a 1071S that I had while stationed in the USAir Force at Alconbury, back in the 60"s, wish I had kept it. I now drive a 05S and love the wine of the supercharger, had it since new and it has 170k miles on it and I will be keeping it. I would love to have a Mini like Marks as a sister car. Again, great video

[@evomark4077]

Thank you for your positive comment Larry. I’m glad you enjoyed the video. I sooooo know why you wish you’d kept your 1071 (bank balance!!!!). :-)

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks Larry. This is still one of my favourite cars so far on Petrol Ped :-)

[@Stambo59]

Lovely little Mini, bet it surprises a few people at the lights. I have a customer that has a 45000km original condition 1976 Mini. Two owners, guys mother bought it new and he inherited when she passed and kept it. Lives in a shed and hasn't been out on a wet day in over 20 years. I'd love to get hold of it but at 15k $NZ it's a little bit out of my reach. Would probably be an automotive sin to do something like this to it though, as much as I would love to.

[@PetrolPed]

That little car is only going to increase in value. I agree it would be great to tune it but probably not the best thing to do !

[@evomark4077]

Hi Stambo, thanks for you comments. The lights are indeed my favourite place to surprise people, it’s not often that it gets beaten. The customers car sounds like a valuable find, but I agree with Peter, it’s probably more valuable in its’ original state - I started modifying mine 30 years ago so all originality is gone so it has to stand on being what it is now, which fortunately, I love!

[@apprentice_pleb]

Supercharged mini 160, I find that hard to believe. I had new rebuild 1380 s/c mini, no money spared and it pulled just on 100. My new honda B18 engined mini is pulling 160 and there is a hell of a difference. . I would like to know how much boost you are running and what RPM as it would have to be phenomenal and really bad for the life of that engine

[@ronsimpson261]

Real mini most fun you can have with your trousers on . !!!!

[@PetrolPed]

LOL...they are fab little things !

[@carllynch8798]

Great vid as always and a very special car.

[@PetrolPed]

It is indeed very special !

[@SchafjuanS]

Cute review , cute mini ..original cutey beast

[@evomark4077]

Thank you for your comment Abdullah.

[@miniac91]

My Mini Mayfair has a 1300cc and now I want to supercharge it. Oh my!

[@PetrolPed]

Do it :-)

[@loveitorscrapit6673]

Great little car I can remember driving a mini25.

[@133Gordini]

Great vid mate..keep up the good work.

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers, will do 👍

[@trailwayz]

never trust a driver who takes eyes off road and looks at passenger while talking.....

[@PetrolPed]

😂😂😂

[@theun-personing5674]

I knew a guy who would have a conversation with you if you we're in the back seat looking at you nearly the whole time. It was Bloody scary 😂🤣

[@LarryKippings]

trailwayz And drives with one hand at the same time. The passenger looked a bit nervous!

[@badfairy9554]

@@LarryKippings Never look at a nervous passenger.

[@andymcneil7660]

Wow! I’ve always loved minis.... even more now... I’d love to own one even though I don’t drive. I just think they are so pretty compared to modern cars/lumps.

[@evomark4077]

Hi Andy. I agree with your sentiments exactly!

[@MichaelOZimmermannJCDECS]

Very cool Mini! LOVE IT, the interior, the gauges, the super-charged engine! A1! A well designed car, not so well engineered car, and often poorly produced...

[@PetrolPed]

She's a corker !

[@evomark4077]

Thank you for you kind comments.

[@HazelHaskayne-zl1ck]

Fantastic car!! I was lucky to be taken out for a spin in it today. A total piece of art!!

[@PetrolPed]

Right on!

[@robertdelalande7734]

That gearbox whine brings back memories of the Cooper S I had in 1970. It was lightly worked but the biggest drawback was the gearbox and the lack of an overdrive 5th gear.

[@docpitufo]

What an awesome mini

[@Rlee571]

Great video. Great mini

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks, and yes she is :-)

[@edm418]

So frustrating! I was waiting the whole vid for one of you to wring it out :) still, awesome little car and well presented vid, thanks for sharing!

[@evomark4077]

Hi elm Thanks for your positive comment, if you could let me know what you mean by ‘wring it out’ I’ll be happy to answer you further. Best Regards, Mark

[@edm418]

evomark4077 haha! It’s a colloquial term meaning hit the redline in every gear :) if you’re ever in New Zealand, hit me up and have a play in my Suzuki...

[@PetrolPed]

Oh I did that :-)

[@sonicgrunt1931]

I love love minis they are growing on me

[@PetrolPed]

Great cars :-)

[@denniscat9395]

Projet Binky I expect will make this still worthy endevour look like a milk float

[@evomark4077]

Hi Dennis Thank you for your comment & your interest. I am sure you are probably correct about Project Binky, although I am not familiar with the project. I never set out to build the fastest or bestest Mini in the world (they’re all great!), but I decided to include everything that I would like in my dream Mini, this is the result & I’m very pleased with it. It’s fast, but probably not the fastest, but it makes me smile every time I drive it & seems to make others smile wherever I take it - that’s good enough for me! :-)

[@porky00000000000]

if your a highly modified mini fan then watch the project binky build , its basically a toyota celica gt4 engine and 4x4 gear compressed into a clasic mini shell , the fabrication and pannel/body work is very high standard, 4 years plus and endless thousands spent in money and time , give it a watch, you will be impressed ;) @@evomark4077

[@justindaley2460]

Project Binky is not really a mini any more. And if you're into watching videos about fabricating speaker brackets, then PB is for you.......

[@talbenavraham1385]

Project Binky? After 30 odd installments still not ready?

[@984francis]

The difference is this is almost original but with a supercharger, not a shell with completely different underpinnings. They are both great both not to be compared.

[@fine46p]

I would like to see a picture taken from a different camera from the outside instead of the image from the inside

[@johncunningham4820]

That was EPIC . Little Beast looks like a normal Mini . " Movin' right along , Nuffin to see here " . Effing BULLSHIT there isn't . Love the Blower Whine . And Mini's were Always sharp handlers . WHAT a sleeper . Many a V-8 owner will be going " What the F--K just happened ? " .

[@evomark4077]

John, that’s one of my greatest joys with this car. Just leaving others from the lights with no effort - makes me grin every time!

[@johncunningham4820]

@@evomark4077 . Of Course it does .

[@FairlyOldGit]

I'd be interested to know what driveshafts are fitted. Friend of mine had a 140BHP (approx) Mini many years ago but it only did about 60-70 miles to a driveshaft!

[@PetrolPed]

I will try and find out for you ;-)

[@evomark4077]

Hi RWA. It has original Cooper S driveshafts & no problems with them. The only short-lived items are the from tyres (600 miles a set) & the fuel in the tanks!

[@stevefuller1779]

It may be the way the power is delivered that saves it, i remember reading about some turbo'd mini's years back and they reckoned to change the gearbox at least once a year.

[@daviddalmon277]

Mark. We meet at the world's end in patching. Tonight (1st April) just watched you mini on KZbin. Might I say woo and what an amazing peace of engineering you have there. Gayle and I would love to see it in person. Many thanks. And the dogs are beautiful to.

[@evomark4077]

Hi David. It was great to meet you & Gayle too. Glad you liked the video (& the dogs!). 😁

[@PetrolPed]

How cool 😎

[@donraggo77]

one of the very best videos I've seen on YT !!! :O

[@PetrolPed]

WOW...I'll take that :-)

[@donraggo77]

@@PetrolPed truly awesome, I absolutely love your fanaticism, I like to see a happy face when regarding cars that should never have seen such expectations tbf, subbed all day, only wish I could have done it sooner ;)

[@evomark4077]

Thank you for your kind comment Don

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks for the Sub Don. Welcome to the channel :-)

[@Dkmode1]

This is a lovely Mini. Would be interested to know what it actually pulled on the dyno in the end! Its looks like a very progressive power curve based on the noise/handling shown on video.

[@evomark4077]

Hi It made 156BHP when last on the dyno. You are correct in thinking that the power curve is progressive, that’s what makes it so driveable & so quick in the real world!

[@SterlingMess]

Great video guys. I had a '72 Clubman which I modified and a '76 Innocenti Cooper S which was very rusty! I'm intigued by the brakes on Mark's Mini - he said it has Cooper S discs and Mintex pads but the Coopers had a servo. I fitted one to my Clubman becuase it had a simple (but risky!) single circuit. The Innocenti had a servo too but although there were two circuits the fronts were on one (and were servoed) and the rears were not. So my question is - does Mark not fit a servo becuase a) there's no room due to the extra pipework for the supercharger b) becuase he's got a dual circuit system crossed front/read and would therefore require two servos c) it doesn't need one! Cheers Paul

[@PetrolPed]

Hi Paul. Thanks for the questions. I'll ask Mark and get back to you.

[@evomark4077]

Hi Paul. The car has single circuit brakes & originally had drums & therefore no servo. When I upgraded to discs, there was not really enough room for a servo, but one could have been squeezed in if absolutely required. However, I found that the brakes are perfectly adequate without a servo (although you do need to push firmly - Peter?). When I then converted to the supercharger, the fact that there was no servo in the way just made life easier. I have never missed having a servo & actually enjoy the feel & firmness of the pedal without one. Regards, Mark.

[@evomark4077]

Hi Simon, it is an additional radiator that is plumbed in via the heater outlet on the cylinder head. It has a small thermostatically controlled electric fan on it & helps to keep the temperature down at low speed/stationary conditions in high summer temperatures. It also helps to avoid the a-series problem of being hot at the clutch end due to the in/out nature of the standard cooling being at the same end of the engine. Regards, Mark.

[@Gazzer1966]

There's room above the passengers feet below the parcel shelf for a remote servo. I had a 1399 with 74mm omega pistons. The brakes I had were split front to rear, servo just on the front disks, super minifin drums on the rear. I had mintex 171 pads on the front and stock shoes on the rear. I also had a brake bias valve in the rear line as the drums operated first and braking hard was like stopping with the handbrake (scary). Tyres were Yokohama A008's.

[@marcusskyfall]

One hell of a sleeper 😂 He probably should have told you about not lifting off mid corner before he let you get behind the wheel.

[@PetrolPed]

He did :-)

[@catweasle5737]

Hell, I want that car. I thought my '69 mini went ok, but jeezus.

[@evomark4077]

Thank you for your enthusiastic comment, but I’m afraid you can’t have it! :-)