Minari

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robvega
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Minari

Post by robvega »

Hi
I've just been introduced to this site by Shrew, so here is my Minari!
070a Ribble Head.jpg
This car was built by Brian P of Southampton in 1994, using parts from a 1987 Alfa 33 1.5 Twin Carb.

Brian sold the car in early 1999 to Kevin W of Basingstoke.

Later that year the car was involved in an accident when Kevin swerved to avoid a pheasant and spun the car into a ditch!
The spin was thought to have been caused by a broken front subframe leg. This was a known problem on some cars, and uprated front subframes were fitted when the car was repaired after the accident.

In 2001 Kevin replaced the original 1.5 engine with a 1.7 8 valve (118bhp) engine, but this only lasted a short time and a professionally rebuilt 1.7 16 valve 135bhp injection engine was then installed around 2004. I think it took him quite a while to get to grips with the fuel injection and wiring!
I bought the car from Kevin in October 2011 and spent the following winter restoring the car back to roadworthy condition, including new brakes, new carpets and a lot of rewiring plus a full engine service to get it running properly again, and some body repairs.
Since then the suspension parts, engine, axle and subframes have been stripped and repainted. The centre console part of the dashboard has been replaced and the original, rather tired seats replaced with a pair obtained from a fellow Minari owner.
Last winter all the suspension bushes, both front ball joints and the strut top mounts were replaced. The gearbox was suffering from synchromesh problems so this was replaced with a good secondhand box and the clutch replaced at the same time.
I've done a couple of track days at Blyton recently and this winter seems to be mainly a bit of tinkering, I don't take it out in the rain as I like to keep the top down!
So that's it for now, hope some of you find this interesting
Cheers
Rob

Veesix75
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Re: Minari

Post by Veesix75 »

Very nice looking, is it silver or white ?

A friend of mine called Dave (Nr Doncaster) had a track day Minari which I'm sure he's sold (need to catch up with him). In turn a friend of Dave's called Steve had a road going Minari (Steve was NR Sheffield).

Can't be many Minari around now?

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robvega
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Re: Minari

Post by robvega »

Hi Veesix75
It's white!
I know both Dave and Steve, Dave sold the track car to another Minari owner who at the last count has three. Dave has restored a Minari that had an engine fire which destroyed all the front end, was a write off so can't go back on the road so that's his track car now.
There are around 40 members of the Minari register now but it is believed that most of the 180 ish Minari's that were built are still in exsistance.
Rob

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KevJTD
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Re: Minari

Post by KevJTD »

a minari is often on my list of cars that i need to get, love 'em.
are you in our area then if you've been to blyton?
keep your eyes out for later in 2015 when we usually have a track day at cadwell ;)
car looks great by the way :D
Giulietta JTD 170
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Veesix75
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Re: Minari

Post by Veesix75 »

There you go, I didn't expect 180 to be alive and well.

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robvega
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Re: Minari

Post by robvega »

Thanks for the compliments guys!
I'm near Leeds, Blyton is 70mile for me.
In theory you can still get a new Minari from Paul Featherstone Harvey at
http://www.peninsulasportscars.co.uk/pages/minari2.aspx

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PETROLHEAD
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Re: Minari

Post by PETROLHEAD »

Hi rob, thanks for joining up,

It seems you have a fan base already eh, who'd have thought it eh? :D

I also know a lovely fella, Alec, in Sheffield with a minari, a very quiet early forum joiner so maybe a few more active members will drag him on a bit more aswell.

I know there is a minari forum, but I'm told its not very busy, and itd be great rob if you want to pull some more folk over here and feather your nest a little! :P
SHREW

I AM the Law!


Alfasud 1.7-16v, Charade Turbo SR, & The Dirty Diesels - GT Cloverleaf, 159 Ti Sportwagon, Saab 9-3 Sportwagon

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KevJTD
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Re: Minari

Post by KevJTD »

robvega wrote:Thanks for the compliments guys!
I'm near Leeds, Blyton is 70mile for me.
In theory you can still get a new Minari from Paul Featherstone Harvey at
http://www.peninsulasportscars.co.uk/pages/minari2.aspx
haven't the budger, never have had really :) , for a new build

always tempted by project cars though if any were to turn up

cadwell is well within bounds for you then mate ;)
Giulietta JTD 170
Lancia Delta integrale
Lancia Flavia coupe 1.8 1963
Lancia Dedra turbo
Renault Clio 197 RS

I'm bad with people things
But I should have tried more

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Spacenut
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Re: Minari

Post by Spacenut »

Hi Rob, welcome to the kit car corner of CAF!

I've met up with quite a few Minari owners on my travels, most consistently Mark Pollard with his lovely gold metallic Mk2.

It sounds like you have done a lot of work to your car, I am hoping to get my own motor back on the road sometime in 2015, once I complete a long list of activities not dissimilar to your own!

Looking forward to seeing more boxer based kits in the future!

Lauren

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robvega
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Re: Minari

Post by robvega »

petrolhead wrote:Hi rob, thanks for joining up,

It seems you have a fan base already eh, who'd have thought it eh? :D

I also know a lovely fella, Alec, in Sheffield with a minari, a very quiet early forum joiner so maybe a few more active members will drag him on a bit more aswell.

I know there is a minari forum, but I'm told its not very busy, and itd be great rob if you want to pull some more folk over here and feather your nest a little! :P
Hi, I met Alec at Newark Kit Car Show 2013, just after he bought his Minari, he seemed keen to get his car on the road but I've not heard anything since!

I've put a post on the Minari Forum inviting people over here, but as you say it's pretty quiet on there.

Rob

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robvega
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Re: Minari

Post by robvega »

KevJTD wrote: haven't the budger, never have had really :) , for a new build

always tempted by project cars though if any were to turn up

cadwell is well within bounds for you then mate ;)
Hi Kev
Minari's do come up from time to time as projects, I found mine on eBay, and I'll certainly look out for a track day at Cadwell, I've been (to Blyton) on my own and it's certainly better with company!
Rob

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robvega
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Re: Minari

Post by robvega »

Spacenut wrote:Hi Rob, welcome to the kit car corner of CAF!

I've met up with quite a few Minari owners on my travels, most consistently Mark Pollard with his lovely gold metallic Mk2.

It sounds like you have done a lot of work to your car, I am hoping to get my own motor back on the road sometime in 2015, once I complete a long list of activities not dissimilar to your own!

Looking forward to seeing more boxer based kits in the future!

Lauren
Hi Lauren,
I know Mark as well, we have another common interest, sailing.

The work I've done on my car is nothing like what you have done to your Nova.

Have you seen the Murtaya, based on the Minari but with Subaru running gear, so still a 'boxer'

Rob

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Re: Minari

Post by Kegsti66 »

Welcome to CAF Rob,
I didn't know there were so many Minaris' about.
Good to see the numbers growing on this site. :D

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Johnboy
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Re: Minari

Post by Johnboy »

Welcome aboard rob

Great looking car chap 8-)
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Spacenut
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Re: Minari

Post by Spacenut »

robvega wrote:Hi Lauren,
I know Mark as well, we have another common interest, sailing.

The work I've done on my car is nothing like what you have done to your Nova.
Ah - well, you could argue that if the Nova had been better engineered in the first place, it wouldn't have needed as much work :lol:

But thank you anyway!
robvega wrote:Have you seen the Murtaya, based on the Minari but with Subaru running gear, so still a 'boxer'

Rob
Yes, I am familiar with the Murtaya, and its connection with the Minari. I guess I can see the appeal of a Scooby engine and running gear in an open top sports car, but I must confess I like my cars to have a roof...

I keep hearing rumours that the Murtaya is still available, are they true?

Lauren

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robvega
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Re: Minari

Post by robvega »

I keep hearing rumours that the Murtaya is still available, are they true?

Lauren
Hi Lauren,
http://www.alssportscars.com had a Murtaya at Stoneleigh this year but I don't know what's happened since!

Rob

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robvega
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Re: Minari

Post by robvega »

KevJTD wrote: haven't the budger, never have had really :) , for a new build

always tempted by project cars though if any were to turn up
Kev
Funny that, project cars have turned up!
Paul at http://www.peninsulasportscars.co.uk has just listed these:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MINARI-SPORTS ... 339b67c1d6
He must be having a clear out!
Rob

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PETROLHEAD
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Re: Minari

Post by PETROLHEAD »

Hmm, interestng projects, i can think of many more involved projects for that money and more, namely my own! ha ha! :D :D


Briefly back to the Murtaya, could that possibly be an evolution of the Delfino Feroce?


I was nearly involved in that project, and its then saviour, Allard Marx, so could the Murtaya be the product of where Allard left off?
SHREW

I AM the Law!


Alfasud 1.7-16v, Charade Turbo SR, & The Dirty Diesels - GT Cloverleaf, 159 Ti Sportwagon, Saab 9-3 Sportwagon

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robvega
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Re: Minari

Post by robvega »

Personally I only came across the Delfino though old Minari newsletters but a bit of Googling has turned up this from Wiki:-

Originally known under the codename AMS1, the Murtaya was first announced to the world on April 11, 2006 as a kit car that would be based on the Subaru Impreza. The Murtaya was basically a complete rework of the Delfino Feroce, as Adrenaline Motorsport—having just taken over rights to the Feroce—decided that the Delfino had enough shortcomings to warrant a redesign. The Minari—of which Adrenaline Motorsport also had the rights—was also used as inspiration.

So I suppose the answer is Yes!

Rob

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PETROLHEAD
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Re: Minari

Post by PETROLHEAD »

Aha, well found Rob,

I'd not come across the murtaya before, but the ressemblance was uncanny so 2 and 2 and all that.

So who is currently behind Adrenaline Motorsport?
SHREW

I AM the Law!


Alfasud 1.7-16v, Charade Turbo SR, & The Dirty Diesels - GT Cloverleaf, 159 Ti Sportwagon, Saab 9-3 Sportwagon

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robvega
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Re: Minari

Post by robvega »

According to 'Total Kt Car' Adrenaline Motorsport went under in 2009. The Murtaya then re-appeared under a Devon company called Murtaya Sportscars.
But now seems to be being produced by ALS Sportscars who are based in Geordie land.
Rob

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BS25
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Re: Minari

Post by BS25 »

I nearly bought a Minari a couple of years ago, it was up for sale near Goole - it was also a white one. Sadly, someone else beat me to it! The boxer engine is ideal for a kit car, BLS look after a few Minari and Major Prendergast used to be a customer (he was the father of Sean, one of the original Minari designer/founders).

One day I'll have one but in the meantime will look forward to hearing about progress with yours :)

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Re: Minari

Post by Sud 145 »

Goodwood track day June '14
Goodwood track day June '14

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robvega
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Re: Minari

Post by robvega »

I know that car, used to belong to Dave Smith, long time Minari register newsletter editor.
He sold it in 2013, it's not yours is it?

Rob

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Re: Minari

Post by Sud 145 »

No not mine Rob. Do live near to John Hammond the AROC Reg'

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Spacenut
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Re: Minari

Post by Spacenut »

I was interested to see that this Minari had got on-circuit at the Classic Alfa track day. Classic Alfa don't normally encourage Alfa boxers as they do not recognise the Alfasud/Sprint or 33 as "classics". The best I managed to do at this event was get the Nova out on a couple of parade laps - 50 mph in second behind a pace car... :roll:

Lauren

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Re: Minari

Post by Sud 145 »

Lauren the last couple of Classic Alfa track days have been organised by young Tom. I used to work with his Dad in my last job. Don't think Tom is maybe as blinkered as some of the old school (it's not rear wheel drive so it's not a proper Alfa) types.

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Re: Minari

Post by Spacenut »

Nice to see that attitudes towards Alfa boxers are thawing a bit. Heaven knows its about time - the poor Alfasud has been out in the cold so long it almost warrants a "vintage" category. And you never know - perhaps one day Classic Alfa will start stocking Alfasud parts as well ;)

Lauren

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Re: Minari

Post by Sud 145 »

Ha Ha not a chance John,Kev and Shrew have got a monopoly on bits.

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PETROLHEAD
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Re: Minari

Post by PETROLHEAD »

Do classic alfa even acknowledge the sud?


a little harsh maybe, and i can understand the way they work, but the plain truth is unless there is lots of money to be made, and suds are 30k cars, they, and any others, will never do used, new, or reproduction parts for the Alfasud.

John is a hero and a legend doing what he does and the way he does it. He'll be the first to tell you what sort of living can, or can't, be made from it, and i for one am extremely thankful that he is so personally fond of the boxer engined cars, or we'd all be stuffed i tell yer!

Kev is a great hoarder with years of suds behind him, and a miss's that must be banished from the loft, the shed, and maybe scared to be in certain rooms of the house due to the bulges starting in the ceiling! lol!

If he started an inventory he'd probably up the insurance :D


Me, i just pick up everything that comes my way if i can, in the belief that it must be good for someone at some time, but following a recent cull of cars and a bloody good tidy up, i've not got anything like the stock i did have, thankfully! :D


Maybe with the current classic car climate and resulting sud prices and popularity, and the amount of great members and folk trying to restore some cracking cars, its time to look again at potential reproduction parts. I'd be more than happy to talk fabrication, pressings, engineering etc with anyone that has good solid ideas.


Enough hijacking, my apologies, i'll be deleting my own posts at this rate! :roll:

Carry on......
SHREW

I AM the Law!


Alfasud 1.7-16v, Charade Turbo SR, & The Dirty Diesels - GT Cloverleaf, 159 Ti Sportwagon, Saab 9-3 Sportwagon

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