We’ve been busy building this 1994 Mini Cooper Group A rally car for a customer. We started with a genuine Rover Mini Cooper SPI body shell which was surprisingly good. After repairing and replacing any rusted panels the body was seam welded. As well as seam welding we reinforced various weak points. Rally cars have to put up with a lot of abuse so reinforcing and strengthening the body shell is very important. Then we test fit the Safety Devices roll cage and welded in the counter plates for the feet. Then the body was media blasted before being prepped and primed. Next, we applied seam sealer before spraying the flame red top coat and white roof.
Following the body preparation and paint we began to assemble the car starting with the subframes. Both front and rear Mini subframes were seam welded and painted black prior to assembly. The subframes were assembled using the homologated components for a Group A rally car. This includes adjust tie rods and lower arms. Additionally, the homologation papers allow for 4-pot Metro brake calipers and finned alloy brake drums.
When complete the car will be just like the Group A Mini Cooper that competed in the Monte Carlo rally in 1994 with Paddy Hopkirk.
