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Just purchased a 1974 Leyland Mini in the USA
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Author:  buddylove [ Tue Dec 13, 2011 12:16 am ]
Post subject:  Just purchased a 1974 Leyland Mini in the USA
Hi All,

I recently purchased a 1974 Leyland Mini. We don't have too many of them here, so I don't have a whole lot to reference. I have been trying to find as many photos of the interiors of 1974 models as I can, and have been able to figure out a few items.

A couple photos of mine:

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It seems like somone moved the ignition switch off of the column, and into the center console as some point in its life. I also don't have the original heater and controls anymore. Somone, installed a UK heater which isn't currently setup. Does anyone know if the heaters and controls are hard to come by?

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I would like to put the dash back to standard eventually. A couple questions that I have about the dash area is:

What is the putton to the right of the steering column for? It has a big P on it.

Where is the choke on these normally? Mine is to the left of the steering column and kind of looks like a hood latch pull.

I have also been told that the front seats might not be factory? If anyone can shed any insight, that would be great.

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Any finally, some questions about the body. The Mini seems to have been resprayed quite some time ago. I did find a couple areas that have chipped off and its a flat brownish redish color. Does anyone know the color options for this year? Also, my hinges on the doors are fairly worn out. Is there any place that sells good ones? Are they interchangeable with Mk1/2 hinges? And, finally... Seals for the doors. Mine are pretty much shot, how much of the seals are shared with a standard mk3 mini?

Thank you for taking the time to read this and answer my questions. I am hoping that you all can help me!
Author:  buddylove [ Tue Dec 13, 2011 12:17 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh! Another question: Does that column shroud look factory?

Thanks!
Author:  willy [ Tue Dec 13, 2011 12:23 am ]
Post subject: 
It shouldn't have the 'tombstone' seats if it's a 74.
It should have a lowback style seat, with a separate headrest (adjustable).

The 'P' switch I was always lead to believe was the brightness of the gauge lights. But I may be wrong! It's been a fair few years since I owned my Clubby.

All Mk1 hinges are the same.
Any kit for external hinges will be fine.
Not many seals at all would be common with a Mk3 at all. Maybe even doors only.

Choke is normally to the left of the steering column.
Yours sounds about right for that era.

Happy Mini-ing.
8)
Author:  willy [ Tue Dec 13, 2011 12:24 am ]
Post subject: 
And yes, your shroud looks correct.
Author:  buddylove [ Tue Dec 13, 2011 1:08 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the help! Do you know of any sites that could help me out with seals for the doors? Is there any way for me to tell if its actually a '74?
Author:  74snail [ Tue Dec 13, 2011 4:14 am ]
Post subject: 
There are places on the car with dates , the wiper motor etc

If the car has been resprayed the body tags may have been moved and the body stamping may be hard to see

It would be interesting to find out if its an Australian or English one , the engine No could point us in the right direction if the body tags are interfered with/ missing

.
Author:  doogie [ Tue Dec 13, 2011 4:29 am ]
Post subject: 
The sqaure badges on the A panels suggests its a 71-73 model, but saying that someone could have always put them on the car.

Doogie
Author:  buddylove [ Tue Dec 13, 2011 4:56 am ]
Post subject: 
The wiper motor says 73 on it, but the motor has been replaced with a 1275 power unit when it came to the USA. There are body tags on it on the front right wing. One still has the vin # and all, but the 2nd tag I can't read at all because it is so faded.

Do you mean Australian or English Clubman? I thought with the doors and exterior hinges, along with the Mk1 elements. It could only be a Australian one?
Author:  bnicho [ Tue Dec 13, 2011 6:29 am ]
Post subject: 
It's definitely an Aussie built car. Only Aussie cars had those doors and that lower dash pad.

The heater and controls are very easy to get in Aus. I have at least one set in my shed.

The front door seals are unique to Aussie cars, but any Aussie mini specialist could sell them to you and post. The rear side window and rear window seals are the same as a MkI and the windscreen seal is the same on all Minis.

Under the bonnet you should find an Australian Compliance plate which shows the month and year of despatch when new. It was probably made in 73 but sold new in 74 and therefore has 74 on the compliance plate.

Cheers,
Brett.
Author:  grey 64 [ Tue Dec 13, 2011 6:32 am ]
Post subject: 
If it is an early model the centre ignition is correct.
Author:  JC [ Tue Dec 13, 2011 6:42 am ]
Post subject: 
buddylove wrote:
Thanks for the help! Do you know of any sites that could help me out with seals for the doors? Is there any way for me to tell if its actually a '74?


http://www.7ent.com/

www.minisport-usa.com
Author:  adamstuart [ Tue Dec 13, 2011 8:17 am ]
Post subject: 
grey 64 wrote:
If it is an early model the centre ignition is correct.


If it's an early model, shouldn't it be a pov pack switch setup then?

I don't think i've ever seen a clubby with the clubman switch panel with ignition on it too..

Seats are clubman, but not right for your year

And yes, the P switch, you twist it to dim your dash lights
Author:  Mike_Byron [ Tue Dec 13, 2011 9:19 am ]
Post subject: 
Hi

I agree with many of the points made by others. The seats are clubman but from a later model and have been re-upholstered at some stage. They are actually better seats that those fitted originally bit I suppose it depends on the level of originality you want.

As for the door seals - I have just purchased and fitted a set. They came from www.minisport.com.au and were A$30 a side. Easy to fit using a small rubber faced mallet.

The flairs extensions over the wheels are not a standard item but often necessary depending on your local registration laws and the width of your wheels. Here in Australia a mini fitted with a 1275 motor also requires disc brakes to be fitted (on the front). Does yours have disc brakes ????

There is an abundance of the correct heaters available as second hand and you could try www.miniking.com.au for one. As for the heater controls (again depending on the level of originality required) most of us get rid of the original hot water controls because they were badly designed and prone to collecting gunk and seizing. We find it much simpler to simply use an inline tap under the bonnet or the Cooper S type control that attachs to the hot water outlet on the cylinder head.

You may find www.ebay.com.au a very useful tool for sourcing many of the parts you may require for your clubby. Particularly workshop manual in either hardcover or on CD as well as exploded diagrams of the components. There were a number of design changes between the Australian clubbys and the british ones.

Yes - the dash is attrocious and coud do with a replacement but the factory setup looks about right. Is your instrument cluster a three unit setup or a two instrument set up. ??? They came with either here, The three gauge set up included a tachometer and was suplied on the more upmarket levels of trim. ???

Mike
Author:  TK [ Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:06 am ]
Post subject: 
"The three gauge set up included a tachometer" or clock
Author:  buddylove [ Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:30 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for all the help! It has a 2 guage setup, no tach. It also has all 4 drums, I plan to put discs on the front eventually.

This is the choke setup, can someone verify it? The cable to the carb just doesn't seem right.

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This is the steering column and rod that we pulled out of it since it was damaged. The rod measured 25 5/8 inches, where the standard steering column rod is 27 5/8 inches. It also has a steering lock on it.

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Also, the Mini has been fully resprayed at one point, but I keep seeing this dark orange everywhere. Does this look like a factory Mini color to anyone?

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