73 Mini Innocenti 1300 Export

[MiniDave]

Finishing up some details on the Inno to get ready for our local All Brit show on Sat.

First I had to sort out the brakes, Dan said they were really noisy - I had blasted the rotors and even tho I put in new brake pads they didn't seem to bed in, so since I had a set of new rotors in stock I went ahead and changed them out - rechecked the adjustment in the rear and bled them - that seems to have done the trick - the pedal is right where it should be and they're smooth and quiet.

I'm going to bleed the clutch, it releases right off the floor tho it works just fine, I can get all the gears and nothing grinds, even going into reverse.

I also sorted out the steering wheel, the hub was rubbing on the shroud when I tightened the wheel down, so I had found another Hellbore wheel and swapped out the hub - bonus I got a horn button with the new one, unfortunately there were no "works" under the button, so I'll still have to figure that part out. Still, it steers nicely now.

Lastly, I got to drive it today!!!!! First real drive in it since we got it.....this motor is STRONG! I haven't pushed it yet but it sure pulls like a train even on light throttle. Still lots of fettling to do, need to get a proper alignment and of course put the dash back in place and finish up all the wiring .....but a successful test drive is always a great motivator.  77.gif

[Jimini II]

Looks great Dave.

[MiniDave]

Both cars made it to the KC All British show on sat. I towed the Inno behind the blue car and about2 miles from the show site I had to drive thru an intersection that was flooded with water, the cars around me sprayed the Inno, my car sprayed the Inno, and it was so hot that by the time I got to the show to unhook it was covered in dry mud, and I got to spend the next half hour cleaning it again! PITA!

I then drove home in my Blue Clubby and got in the Racing Green and drove it down to the show, this time I took a different route and avoided the mess!

[MiniDave]

Drove the Innocenti over to the alignment shop today, post alignment it really drove well!

The brakes are "interesting"......It has a vacuum brake booster that doesn't seem to do anything at first, then seems to overboost. It just takes a little getting used to..

But boy howdy is this thing a runner! Tons of low end torque and wants to rev like mad! The gearbox is a little noisier than expected, but then I never drove it prior to rebuilding the engine.....it's not bad, just a little whiny.....works perfectly tho.

All in all the nicest most powerful Mini I've ever driven.....almost hate to sell it!

I still have a little electrical work to do to it yet, and some minor tuning on the carbs - seems a little lean coming off idle.

Need to get some more miles on it now.....it's so hard not to put your foot in it, it's so eager to rev and pulls so strongly!