... Home ... Forum ... History and Facts ... Other GRP/Minus Creations ...

The Minus is basically a GlassFiber(GRP) replacement body/chassis unit for any ageing and invariably rusting, classic Mini. it also has a shortened body height of 3inches.
But can use ALL the same components as the classic Mini, like; front subframe, engine, gearbox, radiator, suspension and steering, the rear subframe, the windscreen and all glass, headlights, rear lights, front seats, exhaust system, wheels and brakes.

Now due to the reduced body height, the components that need modification are;
the Doors, they need shortening by 3inches, normally lose everything under the base of the bottom hinge,
the Seats front and rear, again height issues here, so front seats have their mounts shortened, and the back seats need complete alteration both in height and width,
the Wiring loom needs addidtions earths (as GRP does not conduct electricity, and its the body that is normally used as the earth)
the Dash also has to be thought about due to less height between the dash 'bars/rails'.
the bonnet needs thought too, and normally requires buldges (due to less height in the engine bay) items that will foul the bonnet without further modification are the radiator (which can be lowered ) the brake master cylinder (using single line requires no buldges), the type of rocker cover also needs to be correct, otherwise theres no room for the oil filler cap/neck.

Performance and economy are said to be greatly improved due to the fact the cars height is reduced by 3inches, (less wind resistance)
and is lighter which also benefits the overall performance.

Alls seems to good to be true, well yes...... well there is one problem, they stopped making the GRP mini minus back in the late 90's so only 2nd hand shells are avaliable

** NEWS **

I know its been along time (just about 2 years !) since I last done a update.
But just had a VERY bad email from my ISP,
saying that they LOST all my data so have re-uploaded my last backup, also because of this most of the forum posts have been lost !!
althou all posts are emailed to me so the actuall info is'nt lost, its just not 'public' or easy to get to ! (so if you do need any of the info email and ask me)
wont put direct link to email due to SPAM ! but it is
web ...AT... miniminus.co.uk

Not sure where that time's gone (well i do have been doing extensions to my house!)
but anyhows due to ISP failure its now been brought up on pirioty list,
but for now its JUST this text to let everyone know whats happerned, and to say a new update of cars/photos etc is in the pipelines!

thankYOU for all you continue'd emails, and updates im so sorry my replies are so delayed, and i never get/got round to updating the site with your pictures
im sure i have a couple more to had to register (only ebay ones i think)

Also im told that new shells (complete) are now being made !
will try get some hard facts and some info etc

last updated -
21.06.10, re-uploaded my backup as ISP lost the lot :( many forum posts lost
20.05.08, added #47,#48,#49,#50,#51,#52, updated #21,#46, changed email, edited othergrp section, adding the new minus spaceframes, and 4r2 prep.
01.10.07, fixed some spellings, added the news section. will only put up real important changes/news/info/links that everyone should know about !....
27.09.07, added #43,#44,#45,#46 added/changed info #5,#8,#30,#35 seperated/sorted out entry #16(due to #46) changed background so its easier to read text, altered main text above, added brochures
07.06.07, text updated #13,#20, pictures and txt updates #27,pictures and text added to #6,#33,#37, text changed in #36.#38, added minus #40,#41,#42
03.05.07, added more info and pics to #39 (forums, added text to register and login/out)
11.04.07, had to impliment rules n the forum, so that u need to register to post, to eliminate the spaming !!
30.03.07, Increasee minus count to #39 !!fixed picture links on #9, added additional picture and info to #23, and #32, and some info on #13, #31
21.01.07, general text updates thoughout, picture update to #1 and #33, added text to #29-36. added minus #37, and #38. Additional other GRP mini page.
10.11.06, fixed links on #22#, updated #35#. changed greeting text, added simple forum, and started the history/facts page
3.11.06,started adding these updates !!, updated, #8#, #16#, #22#, added #29#-#36#

Ok now onto all the info and photos of all the Minuses found so far !
click on each Image for a Larger View

#1# rolling shell, MINE !
http://www.miniresource.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=14863
Not much has really been done on mine attal sadly ...still much as these pics, just on 10" rims all round now
21.1.07, have added pic which has been sent in of my minus when is was on the road and used as the 'demo' car by kieth !

#2# TPX 77F, owned by AndyRolye (still ??)
the red one Fetured in lots Mags...
cost 30,000 for sale for 16K
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=41884&s=151

#3# OBK 227J, owned by Nigel Waterfall
shell number 73? (think he said)
All complete in blue used mainly as a hill climber.. also seen at entry #16 and #46 (3 minuses together picture)
first found on marcos website, since meet up in the flesh !
http://www.minimarcos.org.uk/altpics/status/minus.html
was featured in magazine in feburay 06

#4# 770 CRK, owned by Geoffrey King (back in 1989)
Compelete in White, found here,
http://www.minimarcos.org.uk/altpics/status/minus3.html

#6# UVF 410H was owned by a Gary Mac?
is a complete White Minus. was for sale on ebay aug.04
built the car himself after buying a bare painted shell from a guy in Diss Norwich April 2003
07.06.2007 update, was seen at london to brighton run ! and got a few more pics....

#7# EDD 731L owner was Alistair Nichols
complete in green
Found on Ebay, and has been a magazine feature

#8# OEE 856S Andys , (was Matt skinner aka Random Nonsense)
http://www.miniresource.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6536&hl=minus
as Random Nonsense, and as u can see Just a shell ('was' up for sale for £800ish !!)
3.11.06 Update well was sold, to one Andy around june 2006, and then complely re-done from scratch (as you can see in the following link)
and has come up Real nice, is good to see a forgotton shell brought back to life, especially when its done this well
http://www.mlmotorsport.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=355&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
29.09.07 Update was featured in the July issue of Mini World added scans of the mag if you cannot find/missed a copy

#9# YMO 274F owned by Jason Everard
owned by jason for the past 12 years.currently having a wild engine built by Pat Howe, owner of Raven Racing.

#10# YHV 417G, 'Minty Monty' owned by 'Alburglar'
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=3740
complete in green

#11# Q173 GVR, 'wyatt', owner known as 'minimike'
shell number 84 ?
complete shell in blue (Ford Galaxy Blue)
http://www.miniresource.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=14204
owner known as minimike on most forums.

#12# shell, owned by chris/minisprint (see also #19#, and #24#)
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/index...showtopic=8969/
owner known as minisprint on most forums.
(brought the shell from andyroyle)

#13# LRC 579P, owned by Ade
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=5743
http://www.adesmini.co.uk/
Complete in green (shell was blue) R1 RWD minus !! (brought from Alburglar)
featured in March 06 edition of 'mini mag'
07.06.2007, was auctioned on ebay, got to £9200 and didnt meet reserve !

#14# CON 145K,
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=8742
owner known on above forum as MiniMinus
complete in white
is a lightweight version minus, with thinner GRP and has no steel reinforcing in.
based in leicester ?

#15# DAU 666L, owned by Chris
Complete in blue.
Chris from Norfolk Mini Owners Club brought it recently (2005) for £2000
based around Norwich

#16# POC 708M, middle one of these 3
most minus witnessed together, seen by Nigel waterfall #3# at the annual Lakes Tour event on the edge of Ullswater in the mid-early 90's
03.11.06 Update, now have that photo, is a rare photo of THREE minuses all together.
have only alocated one slot here as both minus details are vague, if they are still alive ?
27.09.07 have now changed this entry to the white one only, as the yellow one has now got its seprate entry at #46 due to new details !

#17# Matts, rolling shell (bare)
got his own website up with pics and progress on his minus ..
http://www.mattscar.co.uk based in ipswich.
### Update, was sold on ebay ! for over £2000 on 13th march !

#18# UJE 347S
Complete in blue
'Minus 1275GT'
(found at stanford hall 11.09.05)

#19# was VYJ 949, owned now by chris/minisprint (see also #12#, and #24#)
Red complete, fully working just been standing.
brought on ebay (ended 4.sept.05) from niauxarts, Hampshire,
hes had it since 98, and has 2 previous owners
sold for £630 ??

#20# Auctioned on ebay (ended, 8.sept.05 and 12.Jan.06 ) bare rolling shell with 1275 engine,
auction by luckyk69, from Devon then re-auctioned by madasamarchhair, from Crawley, West Sussex
update 07.06.2007, current owner is now A. Hashimoto (see also #40) which is based in scotland

#21# Auctioned on ebay (ended 03-Jan-06) rolling shell, (red with white bonnet)
shell is good. No accident damage. Has had wheelarches cut for 13 inch wheels, but can be covered with wheel arches,
I had the interior wood panels replaced and the rear inner wheelarch es repaired and strengthened.
The doors were factory altered and are steel, so the tin worm has taken the skins, but can be rebuilt. There is no ID with the body as the plate is missing
Won by vicarage77 for £670
##Update 20.05.08 built a garage to keep it in and began work. Progress is slow due to lack of time and knowledge....i make it up as i go along! Subframes are both fitted and built up with gaz dampers and coil springs replacing the rubber type. Ive got 4 pots and 8.4 inch vented discs on the front to fit under 10x6 mambas...just modified a bleed nipple! The engine is fitted. It's from an MG metro and was rebuilt with modified head and lightened flywheel

#22# Silver rolling shell, owned by pete
was sold by 'scurvydog' on TMF. (14.04.06),
to pete, also the owner of the green RWD R1 pickup, and co builder of #13#
10.11.06 Update, emailed me some more pics of the progress !! Roll cage and gsxr1000 engine fitted and now painted in Honda red and looking very shiny.

#23# OGY 914K, owned by 'F1 Mini'
all complete, in white.
brought on ebay (15.02.06, ending on 19.02.96). from gmin091, Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire. sold for about £2500 ??
30.03.07 Update the last picture is the minus just before shipping out to australia, also in the container is a ful R1 Zcars conversion kit !!!
so hopefully we get an update on that soon ! ... all i know at the moment it has arrived safly and hes very happy !! (been posting on forums too)

#24# Shell, owned by chris/minisprint (see also #12#, and #19#)
This is a very cut down shell, but discussed in length in essence a minus
which has a full frontend, and back bodykit, with full custom running gear and chassis/frame
named because of this the 'space frame minus'
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/index...showtopic=23580
brought on ebay (15-Mar-06 ) for £460, from dakinepyro located in ipswich suffolk

#25# Q700 EPV,
kind of purple and is as standard as minus's get,
been stored in a garage for about 4 years (was fine went put in there) only garaged as owner moved away,
owner being female ! so i think this may be the first female minus owner !

#26# Foster's, rolling shell, in white.
race preped, in white primer.
extra mods include no rear seats, and removeable front end, carb box in bulkhead, and full rollcage !

#27# PRP 9V, owned by Peter Menzies
Complete and on the road in Green, based in scotland, was accuired part complete in 1991 but it lay for years till I stripped it and rehashed it
We're old pals now cos It's on it's 10th consecutive MOT, It's had various engines/boxes bits and pieces.
It's still used as my every day car.( New engine,long legged diff for some off the far away shows this year )
07.06.2007 Here's this years new Paint Job.!!! .....Nice and bright with some ' Bling ' added....... I've also had a go at the roof unit, Rehashed the storage to take discs.
Wired in my Mp3 player and fitted a little battery operated clock.

#28# Southern mini owners club
complete and on the road, was seen at Southern mini owners club in 2005


#29# Shane's that was rolling shell !
A bargain buy, from the original owner who had owned it since new back in !979ish !
has never been on road, and was set up with 850CC enigine with Auto box,
is a MK1 style minus, with many diferences than the ones ya normally see....
main ones being external hinges, an grille comprised of BIG circle cut outs, all from standard



#30# Q508GHG Terry Bells,
which featured in a article in Car builder magazine from Dec 1991
unsure of its present location etc
27.09.07 Update emailed by the new owner ! will add some photos on here but in mean time use link below, looks like time has been harse to it, but its being put right ! MOT soon
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=56618


#31# Blue hillclimber (fully working)
this is a blue minus that competed in hillclimbs in the south west back in the 90s.
From what I (Neil Sutton) remember this had a comprehensive roll cage, beam rear axle, and massive downdraught webbers sticking out of the bonnet;
and it did rather well ! Not sure of its current situation/location
##Update 30.03.07 Had contact from the owner of this one !!! ""this car is currently sitting in my garage in Kent as a bare shell waiting for me to restore it for the road,looks a bit worse for wear now but I will get there with it. ""


#32# Neil Suttons rolling shell
bought new from Keith Lain back in October 1990, listed on invoice as Mk2 kit unit No 0107
started off as just a re-shell of my rusty 1275GT, then progressed to being a road / hillclimb car still with A series power but probably 8 port fuel injected,
however now I am planning Yamaha R1 power. I've just purchased an engine so I've now got to see if it will fit in the front and whether Lynx AE or another company comes up with a reverse box / diff that will work. If all else fails I'll go the Z-cars route and fit it in the back.
(Neil also provided us with pics/info of the above 2 minu's. so many thanks)
## Update 30.03.07 I got them to work their magic on my shell. I got it back in December, their workmanship is top notch,
I've been making slow but steady progress since.


#33# G711 RVM
info/pics sent in by pete (Macming), unsure of its current loaction/owner
Looks like an old home brewed Shorrock unit. I remember you used to get a full kit for varios Ford models in the '70's.
07.06.2007 update, auctioned on ebay sold for over £2500, had lots of info about it, will post a seperate frame 'soon'
27.09.2007 update, new owner emailed me , from austria ! name is Arnold Teufel and is happy to be the new owner





#34# auctioned on ebay (may 2006) by Justin
Now owned by Russ, which is still in pretty much the same state at the mo


#35# PPX 28M - TNJ 131G Mike's, Fully working and on the road
Minus bought from Keith Laine's works - supposedly the last shell - sitting in his works some time after he stopped trading.Originally built as a hatch back with flip front for a customer who never completed the purchase!! Keith then returned it to 'normal' shell. Bought, and built for my son, as the first pic I sent you (PPX reg) with 1380 Swiftune - seriously quick! Then re-registered when I bought it from my son (he found it difficult to get all his family in it!). Now a tax free reg - very useful for a car that isn't on the road very often. Now with Vauxhall 2litre 16v GTE engine and box in purpose made 'front' subframe with coil overs / modified rose jointed suspension / metro turbo hubs brakes and 4 pots / steering locking tie rods. Front modified mini subframe with coil overs / KAD big discs and alloy 6 pots / KAD bias adjustable twin master cylinders. Front and rear subframes linked through roll cage and steel frame at floor level. Rear frame can be unbolted and dropped complete with engine and box etc. Ally front fuel tank with high pressure pump etc. Front GTE rad and fan. 7x13 Minilite front with 175/50x13, 8x13 Minilite rear with 215/50x13. Spare 8x15 with 215/45x15 Compomotive ML for the rear - mini bolt pattern Purpose made ally rear arches, ally internal panelling - door cards. Sparco race seats, Sparco 4 point harnesses, Momo alcantara race s/wheel, GTE electronic instruments.
28.09.07 Update added more pics, and above txt quick, will properly format in next update, also this minus is FOR SALE !!




#36# auctioned on ebay, rolling shell with engine.mentioned as a MK1 and 'claimed' to be the first eddition ! ? ! ?

#37# Simons, aka Lizard, bare shell
update 07.06.2007, Engine and subframes are now fitted, steering and brakes now being done.
Once the doors are fitted with catches, its going off for the interior to be sprayed
.

#38# KMA 247G, Beckys fully working and on the road
It had been living in france and fully built over 6 years. is Rosso Red. It has a professionally built 1380cc engine and has a cooper 11 stud head, fully lightend and balanced, 1.5 ratio rocker arms, 285 cam, duplex timing, Turbo gearbox, Big rad and oil cooler. Hi-Los, AVO shockers, 1.5 degree neg A arms, four pot metro brakes and discs, 13" Minilights
.

#39# 127 JTX shell #061 John Harris about to be on the road !
Is easier if i just paste in what he told me!, so in his words, "My project is at long last nearing completion. I've now sorted out my E. Mail so I've attached, I hope, a couple of shots of the car in its present state. I've just got a couple of scratches to to tidy up, fit the doors, glass and seats and then give the engine a twirl.
# Update email, ive highlighted by putting the main section headers in bold :) some real nice history and build info here ! thanks again ! ......
the shell is finished in BMW Mini Electric Blue and is very shiny! Much more so than I expected! Most of the rest of the car came from bits I've had lying around.
The engine is an Austin 1300 GT unit with a Cooper 1275 S 12G940 head and Piper 285 Road/Rally cam, vernier belt driven. Carburation is via twin HS2 SUs. Exhaust is via Maniflow LCB and Rover Cooper system. The compression ratio is a bit on the low side so new pistons may be on the cards. The package is untested so I'll have to wait until I've rolling roaded it to find out if it's any good!
Sub frames are stiffened original Mk 1s fitted with fully adjustable suspension, Mini Sport Adjusta Rides and Spax adjustable Gas Shocks.
Brakes are mini 8.4" discs at the front and Minifin drums at the rear with the original single line hydraulic set up.
Wheels are Ex Mini Cabriolet Revolution Five Spoke Alloys fitted with Yokohama A510 165/60 rubber. I've had to fit Mini Spares arches, foam filled and glassed in to the shell.
Fuel tank is a 7.5 gallon unit with the top corner cut away to fit in the boot. I've fitted the fuel pump (SU) in the boot rather than below the subframe to protect it from the elements. I'm too old now to grovel on my back underneath to kick it back to life. I may change it for a Facet pump anyway if it's as unreliable as I remember it.
I fitted one of my Minis with a rear wiper and washer set up in the 60s so I've replicated it on this car.
The boot lid is original Austin Seven Mk 1 but doesn't fit Keith's boot aperture too well. I may change it at some point to a more flexible GRP lid which I can tailor better.
The only external mod I've had to make has been to the bonnet, fitting an ERA bonnet scoop the wrong way around to clear the tops of the carbs and the K & N filters. The rest of the shell is original apart from filling all the apertures and hollow sections with foam and glassing over them to seal them. I did the same with the subframes as well. It gets rid of all the nooks and crannies where mud and salt can collect and protects them from the subsequent damage they can cause. Apart from that I went over all the various section joins and glassed those as well to stiffen and strengthen them.
Internally, the main instrumentation cluster is ex 1275 three instrument pod and all the other instruments are oil pressure, temp, volts, amps, vacuum, clock etc. Once again these were all available so I just used them all up! Steering column is late model mini with twin stalk lights, flasher, horn, indicator control etc. I've had to do this because the seats (Huntmaster Rally Seats) are fixed to the floor behind the cross beam (I'm 6'4") to give me head clearance and a decent driving position and I can't easily reach the dash for the main controls. I've fitted a three point roll cage to compliment Keiths in built frame with additional stiffeners down to the top and bottom of the rear seat panel. I've fitted a connector between the original upper seat belt mounting points and the roll cage and moved the seat belt mounting backwards to the cage, again to suit my height and seating position.
The head lining is a recovered, modified Mk 1 two piece frame.The original intention was to build a sprint/hill climb car but that's no longer feasible so I've set it up as a fast road tourer, hopefully with enough go to keep me happy and embarrass some of the Beemers and Mercs on the twisty roads around here. I hope all the above is of interest. Once it's running I'll drop you another line and let you know how it's progressing

#40# A. Hashimoto, complete and on the road
also owns #20, bothbased in scotland

#41# Jim Henderson, bare shell
I bought this unused Minus shell, doors, bonnet and boot lid from a guy called Andy Bacos in Norwich spring 2006. As yet have not done much to it other than trial fit some parts. He had advertised it in one of the Mini magazines as a job-lot to include engine, gearbox, wheels etc. The doors are really rough so i will use some i already had from another car. I am planning that the car be pretty conventional, A series powered, 10" wheels (Cosmic) simple single colour paint job and i'm hoping not to have to fit arches af any sort, but we'll see. Cheers Jim Henderson

#42# ebay june2007, bare shell

#43# Q633 GRJ Andys, was on the road once
bought it from the factory in sept 1989, on the road in the following April then while out driving one day the indicator failed to cancel and i didn't notice and someone pulled out on me, the door took most of the damage, I was rebuilding a Mini Marcos at the time so i ran the Minus until the mot ran out, took the wheels, tyres and a few other bits for the Marcos and parked the Minus up with the intention of sorting it out that was 17 years ago!....one day I'll get sorted

#44# Q947 WFS
saw at the Stoneleigh Kit car Show in Spring of 1988 by John Harris(#39). I spoke to the owner but have long since lost his contact details. The exterior was beautifully finished but the interior was still relatively untouched, bare GRP. The engine was a 998

#45# Mike Sloan, rolling shell
The shell was in the possesion of a mate of mine for about 10 years in which time it was just dry stored. I have had the car for about a year and have been collecting bits for it. So ar I have rebuilt a 1275 GT motor with a 1300GT tufrided long stroke crank, ported and flowed the head, now unleaded. Fitted the Hepolite pistons, mild cam and a twin 40 Webber. I have just sorted the LCB and the stainless exhaust is next.The front suspension is Gaz coilovers, fully rose jointed and an early subframe. the rear is a beam axle with Gaz coilovers all running on 1970`s 7.5 x 13 Revolutions and 195/40/13 Conti`s.

#46# MCU 759J, details emailed in by dale (see also #16)
I have just been looking through your piccies of minus’s and found a pic of my old friends Minus. He was a member of a club called MINISONTOUR – MOT for short, hence the number plate in the pic. The car’s actual Reg plate was MCU 759J. He used to live in the Gateshead area, but the last contact with him was back in 2000. I’m unsure if he still owns it

#47# Q129DHN, complete in 96
No information on this one, was email in my dale (see aboves entry) as u can see by date on picture, was complete in 96 !

#48# KJK857P, sold on ebay 13.04.08

#49# VLJ 961J , Nicks,
Purchased new from Keith Lain back in July 1992, listed on invoice as Mk2 kit unit No 0121. Used daily after completion in ’93 until rear subframe gave up the ghost in ’01. Now in need of some TLC although still runs and all electrics still function, who knows maybe next year…

#50# Juan D, from Calafornia ?
im under the impression hes from calafornia ? but need to conform ....

#51# Q947WFS, Alan
Is/Was up for sale...It's registered as Q947WFS, on a V5C registration document and currently SORN,ed. It's in the Edinburgh area and open to reasonable offers. Have original Keith Lain modified doors that could be used as templates.

#52# reg69, ebay 21-May-08
V5 – currently SORN •Make: Austin Mini Minus •Date Registered: 1/1/1969