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Nick Thornhill

@nicks_projects

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1425cc 16v classic mini build, car maintenance, house DIY and probably Guitar Music. CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE.

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MSA / FIA spec seat mounts in a mini, not necessary for a road car and not an easy one to make but definitely important to me as I’ll be putting my kids in the car with me at some point. I wanted the seat mountings to be as safe as possible in case the worst ever happened.

It took me a while, but I researched the spec, looked at other examples, made all the individual parts myself, made it all fit together and welded it all up.

It’s a massively over engineered spec, I matched or exceeded the design specs on the MSA blue book so it’s roll cage tube, 3mm saddles on top and 20mm diameter top hat inserts mounted to 3mm plate on each tube, then 2mm plate welded into the car with captive nuts welded on the back.

Possibly the hardest part was getting the seat rails level in the car without a level floor to work from, but with a bit of ingenuity, and 3 spirit levels, I found a datum to work to.

The fit of the 2 @corbeauseatsuk sprint seats is really tight in a mini, they practically touch the outside edges of the car and each other, there is a very slight overlap but I can comfortably sit in either seat without actually rubbing shoulders with my passenger. by @nicks_projects

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2 months ago

by @nicks_projects

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6 months ago

2026 is going to be Exciting #classicmini #twincam #16v #bmwk1200rs #classicminiclubman by @nicks_projects

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6 months ago

Been a while since this saw the light of day. In case you’ve all forgotten this is what my build has been centred around.

It’s a 1420cc block (73.5mm bore 83.5mm stroke) with a BMW K1200RS cylinder head and cams. The ports have also been tickled to help the air get in and out. The pistons are omega forged 7cc items and it’s got med arrow rods to help hold the pistons onto that 2.2mm extra stroke. The build is complete with a full straight cut gearset.

Really looking forward to getting this into the car and running 2026 will be the year it all comes together.

#classicminis #classicminitwincam #16vmini #classicminiclubman #racecar by @nicks_projects

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6 months ago

If you’re curious what went into the dash cross bars, check out the YouTube channel. Link is in my Bio and I’ll chuck another one in my story now. by @nicks_projects

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8 months ago

The replacement of the dash bar has been a long overdue part of the project and it’s the first part of the project where new metal is going back into the car that isn’t replacing rust.

I finally settled on 2 lengths of oval section that I plan to cover in some aluminium sheet.

Next up, I’ve still got the pedal box to properly mount but then I’ll be moving on to the seat mounts and the steering column and finally the inboard gear mechanism

#classicminis #classicmini #classicminicult #classicminiclubman #racecar by @nicks_projects

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8 months ago

Custom Hand Formed Metal Repair Panel Technique#classicmini #classicminisofinstagram #classicminis #classicminiclubman #classicminisofengland #builtnotbought #classiccars #mini #racecar #classiccarfabrication by @nicks_projects

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9 months ago

NO MORE RUST. . . . . . Yep, that’s right, the last of the rust on this car is GONE 🥳

You be aware that I found some nasty holes in the top of the exhaust tunnel that were the result of some poor choices 20 years ago, the old seat mounts were a disgrace and they burned the paint off the tunnel, and I never put it back. So roll on 20 years. I have to rectify that mistake.

The panels were hand formed with basic tools and fit perfectly, and the welding wasn’t bad either for me.

So with no more rust, the next thing to do is to put more internal metal back in the car with the dash bar and new seat mounts up next.

#classic #classicmini #classicminis #classicminiclubman #mini #minisofinstagram #minisofengland #classicminisofinstagram #classicminisofengland #classiccarrestoration #rustrepair #weld #welding #weldporn #fabrication #handformedmetal by @nicks_projects

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9 months ago

Took a while but the old jacking point is out and the new one is now fitted properly 🥳🥳 alignment was tricky but with a few simple tricks, I got it sorted. The last of the inner sill repairs is also done so next up, the Outer Sill.

Check out the YouTube video for the full lowdown.

#classic #classicminis #classicminicult #classicmini #classicminiclubman #projectcars #projectcar #weldingislife #notweldporn #classiccarfabrication #classiccarsculture #repairandrebuild #builtnotbought by @nicks_projects

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10 months ago

The remains of the holes in the floor and the inner sill have been patched. Including a patch underneath the old roll cage foot which now looks as strong as it ever did.

Next up I’ve got to make the front of the doorstep meet the A-panel and then we’re ready for the sill to go on. Exciting times.

New @youtube video is out. Follow the link in my bio or my story to see the latest on the project.

#classicmini #classicminis #classicminisofinstagram #classicminisofengland #classicminiproject #classicminiclubman #projectcars #weldingporn #weldporn #badwelding #repair #repairing #rebuild #carproject by @nicks_projects

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a year ago

Been a busy boy this summer holidays. Lots of time spent either at work or with the family but I have been afforded a bit of time here and there to keep progress going slowly on the car.

The other sill is off and I’ve been investigating the repairs needed to get the inner sill repaired and in a good state to throw the outer sill on and complete a big chunk of the remaining bodywork.

A bigger patch was needed on the front of the floor and that also encompasses the front roll cage foot, which its self was absolutely fine. So I’ve cleanly removed all the rusty metal, treated what’s left snd made a repair patch that will end up attached stronger than the original foot.

#classiccarsculture #classicmini #classicminis #classicminisofinstagram #classicminisofengland #classicminirestoration #classiccarrestoration #metalwork #builtnotbought by @nicks_projects

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a year ago

A little blast through the progress in my latest video. Cleaning up the inner sills ready for some repair work and fabrication by @nicks_projects

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a year ago