P&L minis

Author
Discussion

twit

Original Poster:

2,908 posts

271 months

Saturday 30th August 2003
quotequote all
Hi All

Just noticed there was a mini forum... DOH!!

Anyway having been away form them for a few years I am now thinking of jumping back in. I do a a lot of kite boarding etc and have thought about getting a mini van for day to day use and shifting all the kit etc. P&L minis seem to be able to build some pretty spanking machines - has anyone got any experiences good or bad? Or, would I be better of buying a well restored van rather than having one built? I will be looking for an updated van with a decent engine / interior / wheel / brake upgrade.

I'd sell my Integra Type R to fund the purchase etc (found out this summer I can't fit all the kit in!) so I should have a decent budget - 9-10K I would reckon, so what do people think, is it a good idea? Should I go to P&L? Or buy another one...

Cheers for any help etc

Twit

danger mouse

3,828 posts

268 months

Saturday 30th August 2003
quotequote all
Put in the mill from the ITR, it has been done I belive, and it sound's like stirling idea.

Minis are always great but if you are going have one built, you will end up paying for all the labour, and loosing that money if you ever sell the car.

P&L IIRC usually have stacks of secondhanders as well as being first rate builders.

They may already have what you're looking for and someone else will have already taken the blow to the wallet for you.

...just a thought.

Mouse

plotloss

67,280 posts

277 months

Sunday 31st August 2003
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As Mouse says the B16 R Spec motor will go in a Mini with a modded Metro subframe...

MBM in Bristol have got a rather nice pick up with a tonneau at the moment...

robp

5,785 posts

271 months

Sunday 31st August 2003
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Drop minimax an email, he brought his from P&L, dont think he is around for the next few days so he might miss this post!

He got a very good motor, but has done lots to it since

phil hill

433 posts

283 months

Monday 1st September 2003
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I've not had any personal experience of either of the mentioned co's. However I have heard a few things about both these co's, and not always good......

If you are interested in a van (pickup or clubman estate) you have to remember it will be at least 23 years old, the last ones were built in 1980. The vans and pickups are desirable so command a high price for what they are, you might be able to get a clubman estate for more resonable money. Restoration wise the vans are no more difficult than other minis, some panels are made of "unobtainium", some are available from mini-machine in Darlington. I'd go and see your local mini specialist and see what they can do first.

danger mouse

3,828 posts

268 months

Monday 1st September 2003
quotequote all
I thought Motor-Herritage (or whatever they are called) were working on repro-OE panels for pick ups and vans now, so getting good straight metal should not be difficult, but may well still be pricey.

If you do go P&L, FFS don't let them put on their silly zip stickers. There was P&L car running around Cov' when I lived there with them on and it looked absolutely ridiculous....

...IMHO of course.

What ever you do, enjoy!