1978 Leyland Mini LS 998

Summary:

Go-kart

Faults:

1. My head gasket blew after three weeks

2. A registration check revealed that all ball joints needed replacing, front wheel bearings and front bushes also needed to be replaced.

3. After replacing the front wheel bearing on the front left that the upright was also past it's used by date and had to be replaced. Things got worse, the outer diameter of the upright was larger than original meaning the disc did not fit, I had to buy a disk as well. Total about $800.

3. Front wheel came within 5 threads of falling off and was holding on by 1 wheel nut.

General Comments:

Apart from all the money I have spent I would not sell it for the world.

I recommend if you want the best handling go all out like I did and get competition front and rear camber adjusters, front castor adjusters, spax 14 point adjustable shock absorbers and hi-lo height adjusters.

It's worth it:)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th November, 2003

1972 Leyland Mini Clubman 1.14 petrol

Summary:

Great car gets looks

Faults:

One piston had a hole from the top to the first ring grove.

Only a few of the rings were complete, most had at least one break.

General Comments:

I fully reconditioned the gearbox and engine with new bearings and bored out block.

Then resprayed the car myself in two pack tiger mica put a new interior in it front seats from accent back from a JZA80 supra.

Handles like nothing else as long as they have mags otherwise tyre roll is bad.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th October, 2003

28th Jul 2004, 20:46

Great review.

1976 Leyland Mini S 998 cc

Summary:

Fun car, it felt like you were driving a go cart at high speeds

Faults:

Fuel pump actuator broke off during installation.

The front suspension broke while I was attempting to race a Holden Monaro. The left hand wheel collapsed inward and my inner pot joint exploded.

This was fixed within 24 hours.

Three wheel nuts came loose on the left rear wheel while driving.

The car had twin leading shoe brakes. The master cylinder broke which only left me with rear brakes via the handbrake.

General Comments:

I put a worked cylinder head with larger valves, and a bigger rally type camshaft in it. I also put on a set of extractors and a 1 3/4 inch exhaust system.

After this the car had a bit more puff.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th June, 2003

21st Jun 2010, 02:44

I wrote the review for the 1974 Mini S, and yes, my right hand wheel collapsed inward as well, resulting in an exploding pot joint! The ball joint at the bottom of the hub unscrewed itself (from what I believe was a result of improper installation god knows how long ago, not by me). It is a good idea to check these I think, as it is pretty dangerous.

1978 Leyland Mini leyland s 1.0

Summary:

Cheap runaround

Faults:

Fuel tank needed replacing, complete replacement of thermostat and thermostat housing, replacment of radiator.

General Comments:

For the size of the car the car handles like a dream.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th April, 2003