SHED RACING - Old Boy Racer Mini Test Drive

[@rogerpritchard]

Sorry to hear your news about your beautiful cat. I have 4 strays and know how much they have their own characters. You gave her a wonderful home! Nice video my father had a red cooper in about 1964 when I was 1.

[@martinda7446]

Roger, I've had three Minis, but 4 stray cats is even nicer... And I think if my math is correct we are both of '63 vintage. And by the law of averages I'm very likely a little bit older than you... I'm a New Years Day lad. Edit: It was upsetting news about the little puss. We will all miss him. At least we know he was loved.

[@adrianchetwynd1334]

@@martinda7446So in 2026 you’ll be 63 and of 63 vintage.

[@peterbellwood5412]

Hello Ivan. First of all, I'm so sorry you've lost your cat. They're part of the family. A loved one. What a fabulous job you've done on the Mini. Top notch, sir. As for 'Christmas', I don't like it either. I stopped celebrating around 44 years ago. One of the best choices I've made.

[@nygelmiller5293]

To PeterBellwood. They even do hotel bresks - WITHOUT christmas!

[@ianbrade7754]

You're a national treasure, Ivan! Not to mention an inspiration with your joy de vivre. Nice to see you shrugging off the advancing years. I loved the montage at the start of this video and the music was the perfect quirky complement!

[@clivemillington8452]

Ivan , you got yourself a well made mini , with your and Johns Golden touch , a JOY to watch as always 👍👏👏🤟🤟🤟

[@Oh-Jay52]

RIP to your cat , Sorry to hear it ! Mini looks fabulous !

[@alexjohnson1612]

My pal had a 1450 in the 80s, 105 mph with 5 of us, soon got there, you did a great job of yours, sorry to hear about the cat

[@BRaff-hl4ip]

Always a joy to watch a bloke enjoying himself in his shed...or in his immaculate workshop. That's where we belong.

[@minivan6098]

Those twin SU's give a excellent throttle response and correct period look 👍

[@cybersurfer2010]

What a nice workshop!

[@RobinTheMini]

At last another Mini video. Love it!

[@blacksquirrel4008]

Oh, so sorry to hear about your cat, I always looked forward to his appearances. Having a pet is also knowing you have a date with heartbreak sometime in the future. Your solutions to the technical issues you encounter is what makes your episodes great. Mini looks fantastic.

[@kevinharms7578]

Mr Ivan, always look forward to a new video. Mini turned out very well. Your video's inspire me to get off the couch, and into the garage, get something done.

[@davegreenwood7575]

The Mini is real credit to you and John. Loved the video, superb. So sorry to hear your cat passed away...really sad when a friend and family pet leaves the home.

[@A2CVMAN]

Again brilliant, thanks

[@gerrymcivor374]

What a cracking little Mini. That brought back memories.

[@chrisemery3871]

Really enjoy your videos Ivan and Tanya, I remember my Mum's first mini. It also was a Speedwell I think the registration was 2242 NC, present from my Dad. She kept it until My Dad replaced it in 1966 with red and black Cooper FNB666D, happy days of my childhood..

[@northstar1950]

That car is looking lovely. Sorry about the loss of your cat Ivan.

[@jeffreybellman7250]

RIP Kitty. Beautiful Mini, Kudos to John’s float chamber conversion.

[@philhermetic]

The tubular LCB manifold won't fit cars with the early rubber maltese cross drive joints, as you have found, but there is an intermediate pressed metal exhaust manifold, made out of two sheet metal pressings welded together clamshell style, and they did give a performance boost, and I believe they will fit with the old style rubber joints, although the rubber joints are fairly inneficient, and I used to fit the hardy spicer conversions which fit the original driveshafts, and have a proper U/J in them. Did you fit the engine stabiliser bar with the conversion kit that really stiffens it up? just solid metal cones instead of the rubber bushes. this stops the exhaust manifold joint failing quite as often as they used too! Talking of mini exhausts I made an interesting discovery many years ago, remember the old style outdoor toilets with the cistern mounted high up on the wall with a pull chain? if you take the flush pipe off you will find you have two pieces of galvanised pipe, one being straight with the bend for the toilet pan on one end, and the other having an offset to go out from the wall and connect to the cistern, perfect fit for a standard mini with the offset piece at the back to go to the standard Silencer! Not a lot of people know that! Very enjoyable watch Ivan, and cracking job on the mini! I love Johns carb top conversion!! I used to grass track race minis in the seventies, much fun! Phil, East Yorkshire

[@tonycamplin8607]

That exhaust was a 997 Mk Cooper one, the bore is too large for an 850 though. Mk1 Minis don't like large pipe exhausts.

[@TonyBarnden]

Yes include the other videos

[@bobadkins7377]

Oh my, very enjoyable presentation. I have followed this project but haven't see every episode. So great to see the "Old Boy Racer" out on the road. Excellent. My wife and I watched this one last night.

[@mikecarton2866]

Absolutely beautiful mini you are building, pride in your work is an art. Sorry about your kitty.

[@stephenhenion8304]

I never could see the logic to that original manifold clamp. I had Spridgets, and manifold problems too. Love your solution Ivan.. thanks for sharing your World!

[@ronsimpson261]

This takes me back to the seventies my first job in a garage . rubber cross joints and loose knuckles on the back of the engine made the magic wand gearstick hit the dashboard and seats proper stirring porridge ,and steady bar bushes too . 850 was most fun foot to the floor everywhere . ahh happy days .😊

[@duggy788]

sorry to hear about your lovely cat, loving the down to earth mini project .

[@rickydub6950]

Sounded great when you opened the taps on joining the road 😎👌

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

More progress showing than on Binky...

[@jamestregler1584]

Good to see you Ivan ; so at 67 starting over and like you got a gorgeous lady and now must get my shed poping . Best wishes from old New Orleans 😎

[@leemilan5693]

great video brings back memories of my mini 850 and cooper and cooper s great cars, sorry to hear about loosing your cat as they are lovely friends and you do miss them.

[@pauldrury9695]

So sorry to learn your wee moggie has passed. Sending my sincere condolences for the Shed Racing Mascot.

[@jorgefernandez-mv8hu]

You guys should be very proud of that Mini. It looks fabulous and it sounds even better. It is going to be really quick when you dial it in. You can hear that it wants to run. The engine compartment looks really smart and John needs a good pay on the back for his work especially on making those adjustable covers so they could be moved around. You could probably make some money on that invention. I am looking forward to seeing it on a proper run.

[@danstewart8218]

Just a heads up... the reason that the float chamber spigots are facing the wrong direction is that the carb is a 'single' ie its not meant to be a pair. True SU twin carbs have a float bowl on opposite sides, this allows the linkages for the butterflies, chokes etc to meet in the middle with neat little rods, thus negating needing twin cables etc

[@skdinterceptor2828]

Great little car, lots of power indeed. You've done a grand job.

[@robertmcconnell3788]

Sorry for the loss of your cat. The mini looks great!

[@daleskidmore1685]

Great to see "The Red Peril" back on the road.

[@DavidLucas-hf1cx]

Great looking package. Can’t wait for the Speedwell wheels.. sounds good too.. oh and sorry about your cat. Always tough…

[@theondebray]

Love this guy, have seen vids of him a long time ago. Just goes to show how important it is to keep yourself as busy as possible, mentally & physically, for longevity & quality of life. Pure inspiration. 👍👍 Am I right in remembering that he made a TWO cylinder A series engine awhile back?! AND, he looks a bit like Stirling Moss to me!

[@johnrebus1641]

Ivan drives a bit like Stirling Moss too !

[@charlietabone6162]

Good on you mate you’re a good inspiration I hope I’m doing what you’re doing when I’m your age I not too far behind you. Good luck with the mini mate

[@gazzafloss]

Nice '59 Mini, "old boy"! Great result Ivan and John, nice work.

[@yesh3279]

Sorry to hear about your cat. I tip my Hat to you! Always been into Cars ( spent way too much on this Hobby, ( LOL) and can appreciate your work. Well done!

[@sneakycharlie5159]

Amazing work Ivan, keep the exhaust set up , it souds great, proper old boy racer. There are some very well restored old minis out there , but seeing the work done on this , i think you would struggle to find a better one , certainly of that age

[@scuderiaortiz]

I am sorry about your cat. I lost my 16 year old dog when I was preparing my car for the race in Mexico. I am sure your cat is watching you at the garage. Keep it up. 👍

[@austinblanch1715]

In respect to the exhaust flange it has always been a pain in all the early BMC...i found by using high temperature grease on the face and also on clamps it would usually seal. The grease allowed it to pull up nicely.

[@jw6767]

Hi Ivan.... we used to use a MK1 Sprite silencer.....extending the outlet out the back ......first class and cheap. Also watch those petrol hoses I used some and the new petrol mix made them all floppy! Enjoying your build ....crack on!±

[@johngibson3837]

It's an old boy Racer so probably supposed to be floppy

[@fcukmegently]

jw6767...Used to put those midget/sprite silencers on my M.1000. part AN19 (many many years ago)

[@steveliversidge7357]

The cooper S never had wheel spacers just off set Steele rims from factory on the Mark One S . Chave ! ,Having started my apprenticeship in 1970 work on mostly BMC vehicles with Passion of Mini's. Spent a fortune on rally preparation of Mini's. I suspect the old boy and I are of the same age but I've grown up some so early MGBs are now my passion n.

[@nygelmiller5293]

Very very original programme! How many things on TV can claim that?

[@Senna-xi1gr]

Well done lads good job. A love old minis. Better than news cars with all these daft big touch screens for no reason. Keep it up. 👍🇬🇧🏆

[@TomDoughty]

The old pussy cat will be missed I'm sure. He seemed a friendly old chap and who had bonded with Ivan. As usual, Tanya has developed great editing and filming skills tying this lovely project together. The car is such a credit to you two shed boys. :-)

[@helpallofem4428]

Over here in the U.S. We have logging trails smoother than the roads you have! BTW, I just found this channel and subscribed. Have no idea how I will find the time to go down this rabbit hole.......

[@unpob]

The pride demonstrated from a skillful job well done

[@Keith-l2s]

Great post! Cover for the SU pump is a good plan. I made simple bent aluminium covers for the pump and the frontal distributor area for my old mini years ago. Well worth it, the pump was the most unreliable part of the car! Those rubber UJ's took me back too. I hope they're better these days than they used to be!

[@andyMSH700]

always horrible when a pet dies...as we get older it reminds us of our own mortality...at least you outlived the cat as he would have been lost without his owner. When i was younger i popped a 1300 cc engine into a mini on a 1.5 insch SU carbs and it was like a rocket on wheels....standard pad brakes which dissappeared once you started to drive FAST.

[@superseven7947]

Wonder work on the Little 850!! 😊👍 I remember having a back box from a Vauxhall Ferenza on one mini and on another I used an exhaust from a fordson Dexta! Really sorry to learn about your Cat. It had a good life and well loved and cared for 🐈

[@badgerbob8776]

Sorry to hear of the loss of your cat x

[@tomkinney1438]

Well done, very informative and entertaining, very successful first test drive. Congrats on nearing completion

[@alanreynolds2125]

Worth the wait! well done, lovely👍👍👍👍

[@andythorne1261]

hi ivan we used to run 850 mini vans in early70's with modified Morris 1000 heads lighten con rods dual timing chain hi lift Kent cam 2 and 1/4 inch SU carb, punch the baffles out of the silancer, modified distributor more advance on top end they reved to 8200 and stay together, and ran hillman imp 12 inch wheels on the front with Avon safety wide tyres

[@rallycrosscraig]

8200? Wow !

[@Radioman1937]

Great progress and a great effort, much appreciated being able to view. Thank you Kind Sir!

[@crumblefest]

So sorry about your cat. I lost mine recently. Heartbreaking.

[@tonycamplin8607]

Very sorry about the cat, they're such good company. My the Mini is definitely looking great, well done. That exhaust is fantastic and a real work of art. However I have got some comments to make about it. That manifold to pipe joint was used by BMC for donkeys years and never caused any problems (it never failed on the works minors). The art was to make sure that it was clamped firmly to the gearbox, like you did, then it moves as a unit with the engine and consequently never is strained. Sorry but I disagree with you about exhaust mountings, they should always be as flexible as possible, this is why rubber rings are used on a lot of cars, so as not to put any stress on the pipe joints. This is particularly relevant on a mini with the fore and art movement of the engine, this is all absorbed by its relatively flexible exhaust mountings. All of the problems that you had with the carbs especially the fuel lines is because you haven't got a pair, just a duplicate of the original. Both your float chambers are on the same side, they should both face outwards, you should have used one left and one righthand carb as on the Cooper. I'm really looking forward to the next episode, your car brings back my gp5 racing 850 of the early 1960s and the lap records it held, we only gave up racing it in 1963 when S's came into use and the professional tuners etc. dominated,we just couldn't afford to keep keep up. Finally don't fit spacers to the wheel hubs this was the one thing that really upset us in the competition dept.. All BMC tuning data for early normal minis warned against doing it, the hub bearings aren't up to taking the extra strane. S's had completely different wheel bearings that's why they were able to build in those rear spacers into the brake drums.

[@CurtisCooper-ws5jr]

Happy the mini is so good.sorry about your cat thanks 😊

[@mstravels988]

Sorry to hear about the cat, we met the cat when we came to see you. The mini looks and sounds good.

[@rallycrosscraig]

Great first drive was looking forward to see this and Looks like a good start you could hear it coming on cam when you revved it. Sorry to hear the shed cat has left you always as when they depart … We all look forward to to your nexts video !

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

Great little mini!

[@daviddjerassi]

IT Sounds great wow thank you First Gript Tania for all these videos and John Top Man with the Boy racer at the wheel love the video thank you all.

[@gerritleemburg6777]

Sad to learn about the passing of your cat, but like you said, that's life. The Seven has turned out beautiful, still looking much like a standard Mini, but with some fine tweaks. By the way I saw some interior trimming near the rear side windows coming lose. One day this car will be perfect.

[@77Sunsetstrip]

Sorry to hear about your shop cat... I have a black and white shop cat and I don't think I could stand losing her. I took her in as a kitten. Love the Mini! I used to drive around Southern California in my 850 and later put a 1275cc which became unsuitable. Cheers! from California.

[@nygelmiller5293]

To 77SunsetStrip. Why did the 1275 become unsuiya

[@FMFGUF]

@@nygelmiller5293 I was wondering the same thing. I have one from an MG Midget in my 1970 Morris Minor Traveller, and it goes pretty well.

[@retromechanicalengineer]

It goes great guns Ivan. Sorry to hear about old Puss. Best wishes, Dean.

[@MrGig2010]

Excellent progress Ivan. Will we see you at Bingley hall, Stafford on Sunday ?

[@paulsnook5408]

The carburettor mod was brilliant bit engineering. Working with su’s the float bowl entry was always a problem sometimes this mod could have a market ?.

[@porroh869]

Great stuff. I did the same with my mini, only spent what I had to. Most of the sheet steel came from an old filling cabinet. Keep up the good work.

[@richardhalliday6469]

Great episode

[@paullawrence3541]

Paddy Hopkirk wing mirrors might be about the right period.

[@raychambers3646]

A Raydot clip on mirror on the door pillar was on my 62 mini .

[@paullawrence3541]

I’ve seen those too. 👍

[@danstewart8218]

Hey Ivan the Mini looks great! Sorry to hear about your little black mascot. He was a charmer,,,;D Just a heads up that you might know already, on those brass dash pot lids you can drill an extra tiny hole (ie about 1mm) which allows the throttle to lift them quicker and breathe better (they did it on a few works cars, so it might help - you never know) it might be better to try on the plastic dash pot lids first as the brass ones are getting quite rare now. Best wishes to you and the crew for the New Year.

[@paulfarghi]

Sad cat news 😿, lovin the mini project but the pride of the show... The gaffer taped Berghaus ski jacket....

[@suziepilkington5600]

The down jacket was mine. It already had a gaffer tape patch on when I lent it to Ivan. He couldn’t believe how warm the ‘magic jacket’ was so I gave it to him and he wears it daily. He tweaked the tailoring and got rid of the hood - and had added some more gaffer tape

[@johngibson3837]

All down jacket's end up leaking and gaffer tape is the saviour

[@kingearl2596]

Respect! Only very good Mechanics can handle this sh*tty carbs; one of them: Problems. Two ore more of them: Never ending troubles...

[@FMFGUF]

SU carbs are one of the most reliable, if they're in good condition and correctly set up. Webers, on the other hand, can be a real finicky PITA.

[@michaelweeks6022]

Love watching you and John doing what you guy's do best ! been working on MG's and the like most of my younger years here in the state's in San Francisco and also love your vehicles there even though Lucas wiring sucks.Hope too watch many more of your shows !

[@johnsheppard7935]

Why do yanks always complain about Lucas? I've had British cars with Lucas electrics for 40 years and never found them to be worse than any other make.

[@johngibson3837]

​@@johnsheppard7935the prince of darkness

[@richardcross7633]

Just a thought, if you turn the float chamber top won’t it also change the axis of the float pivot. This might affect the fuel level when you’re exploring the centrifugal forces of high speed corners, S you are inclined to do. 🤔🙂

[@shed_racing]

doesn't seem to affect it

[@brianboys9015]

What a gem

[@mikesage9544]

Oh Ivan.. The pusscat was as much a part of the builds and mods as you and Johnboy. His cheaky spirit will live on in the mini I'm sure. Can it really be that I have aged to the point that the Peco silencer is no more?? I wouldn't go big bore on an 850 engine if I were you. Use the lack of bore to keep the gasses flowing for a speedy exit at the rear. Take care all of you. Best wishes from the Forest of Blackness.

[@Fintoman]

Just have to love the mini Ivan. Did I see a whiff of blue tyre smoke on your standing start? You truly are a incurable boy racer. 😅

[@nigelsears7191]

so sorry to hear about the cat , wow isn't the mini looking grand and sounding very 'old boy racer' look forward to seeing the next video on it , i do wonder how poor Tanya copes with sitting passenger side in some of Ivan's amazing cars must be like a white knuckle ride at the funfair

[@BokorRider]

well done looks and sounds great

[@davetheglidingbum]

Looks fantastic, better than new,,

[@lauriecooper8194]

Sorry to hear about your brilliant cat. That's a very nice little mini though.

[@Praterphil]

You're always amazing!

[@FMFGUF]

Nice bit of SU dashpot fondling at 19:42, phnarr, phnarr!

[@flatbrokefrank6482]

I am really surprised that you haven't bought a four post lift as you spend your days working on cars - Drive safe!

[@buffplums]

Oh bless I’m so sorry to hear about your cat. 😂

[@paulboyle6857]

Sorry to hear about the cat,you get very attached to these animals as we did with our black & white moggie who lived to 19yrs. Just wondering about the plug leads & caps,maybe some proper comp leads with insulated caps might be better? Like the "Ferrari" silencer(!) & good to see you,ve done a nice straight through exhaust.Cheers

[@josephbarker5883]

Nice post Ivan. From one old boy-racer to another 😂🤣 wonderful project - well done to you and all around you! 👏👏

[@larserikolofosterling2338]

Just Lovely ❤

[@morris2450]

Brother's n I have sum great pics of us in early Mini's going sideways thru gravel corners on public roads. Oh those were the days, but I supposed that's how we got into rallying.

[@tonyking9235]

I THINK YOU AND JOHN HAVE DOES THE OLD GIRL PROUD . YOU TWO CAN PUT YOUR CAP ON AND GO HOME EARLY

[@slartybartfarst9737]

Bloody hell Ivan takes me back to my youth, minis for £14! Went like stink, crash it into your mates get another.

[@alexjohnson1612]

The most we paid was £5, we even got a mini van same price 😂

[@slartybartfarst9737]

@@alexjohnson1612 We did the £5 a mini. On one deal Id only got £4.50 on me so the rest was on tick. The £14 deal was done at my local. Wandered in for a swift one there was a Green 850 Austin Mini parked with a £40 ono full tax MOT in the window. I went inside there was a new guy at the bar, "is that your mini for sale?" "yea you want it?" "Ive not got £40", "What you got?" "£20?"............"Are you having one?" "Yea go on" .......at least 5 pints later. I wake up after walking home, mini key on the bedside cabinate.....huh! Bugger I think I bought a car!

[@alexjohnson1612]

@@slartybartfarst9737 I never had the cheek to hagle so I would get my mate, I would be quite happy to pay £30- 40, but he would actually kick the tires sometimes the car, so embarrassing, but £5 everytime, we were only 13 then ;)

[@slartybartfarst9737]

@@alexjohnson1612 The £4.50 one was a superb white 1000 it had "collapsed" on one side. I looked underneath "wtf whats all these tubes with oil pissing out" (Hydragas) Hmmm looks like 10mm heating pipe. I wonder if I cut out the pipe where theres a hole and put a brass joint? I took my collapsed mini with a brass joint to the garage I used to work at as a school job "can you pump this up mate". Then I drive home in my perfect new mini passed the guy I bought it off whos walking and not happy at all. 10 minutes later a knock on the door "you bastard you knew I was skint you knew you could fix it" I didnt but then again Im bloody good at seeing engineering solutions (made a career out of it). Anyways sold it back to him for £10 covering the brass joint and the backhander to the guy at the garage, he was not happy, lesson in life no one likes a smart arse. Weeks later we see him in the same mini with the front end 2 foot up in the air! He pulls up along side and as he puts the brakes on the front drops to the floor and the arse end pops up 2 foot! Turns out you should bleed the air out of a Hyrdagas before filling, looked bloody hilarious though and sold as seen sir....twat.

[@alexjohnson1612]

@@slartybartfarst9737 😅😅 That's hilarious, I'll never forget the mini van, in racing green, we didn't even give it a thorough check, turned the key & drove off, we checked it when we arrived back on our estate, opened the rear doors & they fell off like dead leaves, you could flick a hole through the rust 😅🤣

[@martinda7446]

PS Would like to offer my sincerest thanks to Tanya for letting Ivan do his thing with such care and quality. We are all so grateful. PPS. Washer bottle top looks like a Robinsons Strawberry Jam lid with a hole in it... Edit: PPPS. Remember everyone to thumbs up Shed Racing because it really will help the ones and zeros assemble in the most useful manner.

[@jameskelly9717]

So sorry about your cat Ivan.

[@meeshker]

RIP Shed cat. We lost our Husky Shaer who was 19 over Christmas too.

[@johnpearson492]

I really like your exhaust clamp. I need that setup for my 1098cc AH Sprite. Just about once per year the factory clamp setup comes loose and leaks.

[@gajiraanorimaki]

it purrs like a dozing feline 👍🤟👌

[@petergardner2334]

a really nice job ivan

[@shauntvr4312]

So sorry about your lovely cat