Subby's front subframe

摘要

As I mentioned in the last issue, fitting the front subframe and suspension was a priority as I had to get the shell rolling. I'd re-sprayed the top arms ages ago and all that was needed was to fit new roller bearings and replace the pin. Before we took him off the road, all those years ago, Subby was fitted with a coil sprinq suspension system from P&L Minis. I'm a big fan as they have been fitted to Editor Karen s saloon Mini but I decided to fit standard rubber cone suspension on Subby. The adjustable trumpets are basic ones, but I've used my mate's lathe and turned two of them down by about 10mm. It was one of the factors that limited me lowering the Mk2. You'll notice that the more expensive adjustable trumpets on the market are two different heights. The subframe has been beefed up using some of the techniques that well-known Mini racer and car builder Leigh Dale, of Mondo Sport and Gerald Dale Motorsport, showed us a few years back in our January 2011 issue. It's nowhere near as complex as one of his racing creations, or as light, but it's certainly stiffer than standard. One thing I'm pleased with is the seam-welding around the top of the turret, which has been smoothed back. I did this as it's something you see from inside the engine bay and I've never seen anyone else do it before.