Classic Mini - A True Cafe Racer - 1380cc + Straight Cut Gears

[@surfbodi.0015]

I just bought my first mini in almost 20 years. Its hard to put into words just how great it feels. It turns heads and gets smiles and random thumbs up everywhere I go. It's just a 1000cc so would like to do some tinkering to give it a little more poke but to be honest part of the appeal to me is that it is just so much fun at slow speeds anyway. Great car by the way 👏 🙂

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Welcome to the mini family. Minis are fun no matter what engine is fitted or how they look. He’s about the journey and how the drive makes you feel. All the best with your classic. Cheers for watching 👍

[@jimmyd7071]

My brother I completely rebuilt his 65 Cooper S into a rally mini. We were the first to ever run a mini in the la Carrera Panamericana in 02, ran in 03 and 08. Our engine was built by Bryan Slark. He and his wife even crew for us for all three years

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Hey thanks for the comment that sounds like a truly awesome little car for sure and many memories made 👍

[@classicminiworkshop]

I love the look of this car. My first Mini Magazine was Mini World December 1992, I was 17 and just got my first Mini. Jeez I feel old LOL. I still have the Mag too 😀

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Cheers Keith it’s a great little car this and proper part of sam which is so nice to see. It absolutely shifts as well such a fun car.. 👍

[@andymeek9053]

My First mini world mag was 1992 at 17. first Mini run in 93. Lol

[@C.I...]

Love the straight cut gears! Sounds like it's off to win the Monte Carlo rally!

[@SimpsonsClassics]

The sound is absolutely stunning isn’t it. Proper old school mini

[@gavinivers8941]

Great car. Who cares what others think, it's his car, how he wants it.

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Exactly buddy he has built exactly what he likes and it’s turned out bloody awesome 👍 thanks for watching

[@patrickcallaghan1714]

That's flipping awesome. I need that car, but building one like that in the USA would probably cost a fortune !!!

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Hey glad you like this little beast, Sam has built exactly what he wanted and it’s turned out great. I am sure you could get the bits in the USA to make something just as good 👍

[@geofo60]

This was like watching a Petrolicious story. The history of the car 🚘 & how it’s developed over the years & the aspirations of the owner and how it’s gone through the ideas stage to become an inspiring example of a classic icon. Thanks for sharing your story Sam, it’s a credit to you 👏👏👏. Geof (1968 Mk1 Australian Cooper S). Forgot to say ; Subscribed.

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Hey thanks for tuning in and subscribing to our channel we have more videos like this coming for sure. Like you say the story and the plans of what owners want for their cars is so inspiring. This little car it a credit to sam it really is. Also sounds like you have a great little car... 👍

[@geofo60]

Simpson's Classics It’s that connection between car and owner that I enjoy. I’ve built many cars over the years but as I’m in my very late sixties I don’t have the time or health to build another, so for once I thought it made sense to look for something with provenance. The car belonged to Rover/Jaguar collection, was restored and in later years was owned by Lewis Hamilton’s father. It went through an online auction at Silverstone in early August and it’s now in my “care”, hopefully for the next few years.

[@Bertsretrorides]

Just showed my wife this and I said it was (apart from bert) my favourite mini Ever and she said get another and make it like that!! Result! 🤣🤣

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Haha that’s ace buddy H7 really is a stunning little car and I think enough people really want to see her more ok the channel 👍

[@Bertsretrorides]

Beautiful! It sounds freaking awesome and looks superb! 👍

[@SimpsonsClassics]

It’s epic isn’t aha

[@graemew7001]

Thanks Sam for allowing us the up close and personal on H7, what a little beast, loving the Britax look, I've only ever seen black and white photos of that. Buttertubs definitely would be memorable in H7 although my grin would be painful and hard to remove!!

[@SimpsonsClassics]

It’s a great little car isn’t it. Absolute credit to sam it really is. I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time I was in the car it’s so dam cool everywhere you look there is another personal touch.

[@graemew7001]

@@SimpsonsClassics I'd have been crying that it wasn't mine, your channel keeps coming up with cars that I really want....that I'd never have the funds or space for 😂

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Graeme W never never say never Graeme they have all been built up from nothing is anything is possible.

[@graemew7001]

@@SimpsonsClassics I might think differently next year once I've had a year's salary under my belt, we'll see.

[@bradleycrandon24]

what an amazing story of owner and car love it!!

[@romario11star]

The MINI is a cute and fun car, isn't it? I am riding a MINI in Japan. I liked to see other people's MINI and visited.

[@SimpsonsClassics]

It’s an awesome little car 👍

[@yokingtomcat]

mint mini!!!!

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Thanks buddy 👍

[@louiejonesponation]

It’s very retro looking, I love it!

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Great looking car isn’t it 👍

[@louiejonesponation]

@@SimpsonsClassics it’s beyond great looking

[@Paulsmithmini191]

Dream car right there 😍 can’t beat the straight cut sound

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Aha I know right it’s so dam nice!

[@yokingtomcat]

sounds so good!!! I miss my mini!!!

[@SimpsonsClassics]

She definitely sounds epic, pure mini sounds...

[@27yousaf]

One of the nicest mini video I've seen on KZbin well done

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Cheers thanks 👍

[@ryanharriss7950]

Love those seats. Would look good in my clubman. 😀

[@SimpsonsClassics]

They are awesome aren’t they. Proper comfy as well

[@CooperSTraveller]

Love it. Totally agree that you design your car for yourself and no one else. Like I did with the Traveller ... I know there’ll be haters and comments but I don’t care lol I must get the straight cut box I always wanted under my plant 😎

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Exactly buddy you should always build what you enjoy and what you like as at the end of the day it’s you that has to open that garage and drive it. Cheers for watching... that gear box omg aha

[@rustyautocitye7381]

Awesome little car, looks the part, goes fast and sounds great. What more could you want? Loving the videos giving a closer look at some of the cars seen in previous uploads.

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Exactly it’s a true classic mini in every sense it’s absolutely spot on in our view. Sam has done the car proud and made it better and better as the years go on. Cheers for watching 👍

[@adsminibuild5791]

Lovely car. Very very nice indeed ✌️

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Thanks dude

[@anthonyrukin8564]

hi sam! did you fit the britax cooper decals yourself? i've bought the sticky fingers decal set,but it looks difficult to fit, any tips on fitting? or do you know anybody in the manchester area who would fit them for me .thanks.

[@MidasMk1]

Hey Anthony, yeah fitted the decals myself, mine will be the same from sticky fingers. The door forwards are new this year after I resprayed the doors and A panels. The full kit probably took me 8-10 hours in a cold garage, the trick is to get take the time getting everything aligned with masking tape and then don’t rush applying. Doesn’t help with the main stripe being all separate decals. A proper spreader, pin for air bubbles and a travel type hair dryer - don’t over do the heat though, easily done. The bonnet / wing circle has gone the hardest one aha. If you want any help just let us know :)

[@anthonyrukin8564]

@@MidasMk1 brilliant, thanks for the advice sam,much appreciated.

[@Spanish4Point4]

Awesome lads! Love the sound of the power video. Building an SPI Mini at the moment and would love to hear your advice on the cheapest way to get some power into it!

[@nudgerss]

Cheapest would be air filter, lcb and exhaust. Then it's head and rockers. My spi Cooper used to really shift with those mods.

[@SimpsonsClassics]

I would say the same as the above comment. It’s also something I am thinking for my spi mini sidewalk. The original ecu can take more power than you think. Check out videos on the JCW cooper out... 😉

[@squirmyrouter]

Buzz out the Wedges inside the Inlet Manifold ;-) They are there for a reason but i dremmeled them out on my last Spi Cooper afew years back and then it was quicker...done it to my lastest one i have now

[@angelsone-five7912]

Very nice, envious.

[@IsraelitesUnited]

Hi bro great videos. I was wondering if you take the distributor out to clean it and you've moved the car but want to put the distributor back in how to set it up that the timing a correct.

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Thanks mate, yes you can take it just don’t roll or move the car. As that would knock the timing out. Also make some sort of mark on the distributor and block so you know it’s gone back in the right place. We did a similar thing on our 72 clubman and 940 Volvo.

[@IsraelitesUnited]

Problem is I've already done and moved the car so the timing is definitely out.@@SimpsonsClassics

[@SimpsonsClassics]

@@IsraelitesUnited then the car will need to be retimmed this can be done using details online or the Haynes manual

[@richardwalker5906]

Beautiful

[@sdungworth]

You wouldn't understand it's a Mini Thing! ❤️

[@SimpsonsClassics]

😎

[@thegemhiveantiquejewellery796]

Love the seats, would like to know which leather Recaro seats would fit in my 1275GT?

[@SimpsonsClassics]

The seats are epic in this car. Most recaros will fit but will need custom frames to fit them. Like this car has had made

[@thegemhiveantiquejewellery796]

Is there a model number that i could search for? I have seen the Recaro ls, slso i have seen Alfa seats fitted. I presume its preferable for the seats not to have not to have seat belt holders integrated on the seat?

[@SimpsonsClassics]

@@thegemhiveantiquejewellery796 no the seats from a 80’s Ford RS I believe not sure on the rest of the Ford details but most recaros of that era are the same size. The ones in this car are the ones with the larger bolsters which makes them rarer, they are fitted using universal seat runners on custom mounts. Another good idea is the rover 800 recaro seats again they fit in a mini nicely

[@owencook2332]

Nice video, stay safe!

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Thanks buddy 👍

[@joesivnarain7682]

Lovely pocket rocket

[@aleddavies770]

This is exactly what I'm after

[@SimpsonsClassics]

It’s a beauty it really is buddy

[@carmanreviews3632]

What is the bhp in this I have a 1380 engine and drop gears to

[@SimpsonsClassics]

This one was on the dyno a few years back and did 107bhp

[@not_herobrine3752]

came for the sounds of a straight cut gear, found something more fun

[@Darrenfive0]

Mint 👍👍

[@dc1316]

Can you put me onto the guy or any social media for more pics please. I’m after a rover mini as my retirement present and this mk1 look is exactly what I’m after copying 😍

[@SimpsonsClassics]

No worries it’s @midasmk1

[@johndavey72]

Are the Cosmics original or replicas ? The outer rims look wider than l remember .

[@SimpsonsClassics]

These are copy cosmics you are right the original ones are slimmer 👍

[@johndavey72]

@@SimpsonsClassics Well , thanks for that very quick reply . Does this mean you've got nothing better to do ? 😅 I could bore you shitless with all my tales of Mini's from my past. l never owned a Cooper or "s". But my father had the very first Morris Mini Cooper (privately owned) back in 1961. He actually held the Oddicombe Hill Climb record with it for a couple of years. (In it's class) The only modification was a clamp on hand grip so he could steer with one and change gear with the other. Thanks.

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Aha nope busy as always but was just checking on some messages. It sounds you will have a very keen eye for the mini then 😎😎

[@johndavey72]

@@SimpsonsClassics I've restored /repaired many, 50 + predominately pre-1980 . The last was a '64 "S" for historic (6years back) but l 'm a numbtie on mechanical ! Thanks for replying .

[@willgrime]

Original Cosmics came in three sizes: 4.5”, 5” and 6” I think. Multiple diameters too, but ONLY 10” for Minis

[@jasonharman7636]

What sparco steering wheel is this ? 12” ?

[@SimpsonsClassics]

I believe it is a 12" wheel yes.

[@jasonharman7636]

Where did u get the steering wheel

[@SimpsonsClassics]

I believe it’s from demon tweeks

[@jasonharman7636]

@@SimpsonsClassics ok thankyou

[@Tejvir7]

Nice

[@porroh869]

Sweet

[@miniman2645]

What arches is Sam running

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Mini Man group 2 arches buddy

[@blacksupra001]

What seats are those ??? !!!!

[@SimpsonsClassics]

For escort RS recaros I believe

[@jasonharman7636]

What exhaust and size is this

[@MidasMk1]

Maniflow 2” Id system

[@jasonharman7636]

@@MidasMk1 thanks for the reply so it’s 2” lcb also ? Sounds so good

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Thanks Sam for the reply, this car does sound epic..

[@MidasMk1]

@@jasonharman7636 Yeah it’s large bore stage 3 (hate stage name) maniflow race lcb so needed the larger 2” system, isn’t that loud on the motorway 😊

[@jasonharman7636]

@@MidasMk1 ok Sam thanks for your reply I’m going with the same ! Love your mini keep it up 👍

[@andrewnewell7509]

I really appreciate this video as an American, any chance you could redo it in English?

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Not sure what you mean?

[@MidasMk1]

I’m sorry I can’t speak American.

[@mact153]

Dogs nuts

[@jamesryan2377]

H7 is rapid, there's no point in trying to keep up lol

[@SimpsonsClassics]

It’s doesn’t hang around does it it aha

[@guidorollard2944]

classic mini anytime, not this new mini crap, aint no mini anymore

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Dam straight 💪

[@DavidMBanes]

I'm no biker but isn't a cafe racer a bike, motorbike?

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Yes the turn comes from the biker scene but the style and idea behind a cafe racer is used more and more with classic cars now.

[@DavidMBanes]

@@SimpsonsClassics Ah, first I've heard it used for cars and been driving classics since they weren't if that makes sense! Currently got an Alfa GTV and a Marlin, previously Triumph Tr7, Vitesse, Rover SD1 etc. In fact I used to have an Innocenti Mini, the round style, not the square one, with 5 dial dash. More recently owned a modern Mini Cooper S, Mini Paceman, and a Clubvan. I'll have to go searching now, I can see me getting back into Mini's!

[@SimpsonsClassics]

@@DavidMBanes yeah there is a few classics now taking the style. @stevestonmotorco have done their take on the car also. It sounds like you know your classics. We have many minis on the channel and more classics to come as well. Cheers for watching buddy

[@bigedd555]

Why do you call it a 'Cafe Racer' cafe racers were motorbikes in the 50's and 60's when rockers used to race from coffee bar/cafe to coffee bar/cafe, short distances at speed. I was there, they were never cars.

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Keith Fisher the look and style has also been adopted throughout the car scene all over the world.

[@bigedd555]

@@SimpsonsClassics I am not on about the look and style, i own one. But i would never call it a Cafe Racer, its not! I have owned Mini's since the 60's. I passed my driving test in one. My first was a 850, second a 998 Cooper, Third a 1275GT and my current a 1275 Cooper. None were or are called 'Cafe Racers'

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Keith Fisher like mentioned it’s a term that has been adopted over the years I guess more recently. But it’s not the first time term has been used it’s very popular in the car scene now. Fact.

[@MidasMk1]

@@bigedd555 I don't think you get it, its a styling type, not model type. Thanks for being positive (y)

[@bigedd555]

@@MidasMk1 I don't think you get it either. Please put an internet search in for Cafe Racer see what comes up. Not a car, not any car. Its a style of motorcycle, i know i had one.

[@bazzookabod5250]

Wtf was the Speedo doing

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Do you mean the Rev counter?

[@HOBBL3]

Barely any driving footage!

[@SimpsonsClassics]

It was a review of the car. We couldn’t sit in the car and talk it’s to loud. There will be more to come on this car don’t worry

[@HOBBL3]

@@SimpsonsClassics cars are made for driving though! How can you review a car without playing on the roads 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@MidasMk1]

@@HOBBL3 we’d done over 120 miles that day.. 🤷‍♀️