Stephen Bridgland's Rover V8 powered 1963 Morris Minor
as published in BritishV8 Magazine, Volume XX Issue 2, December 2012Owner: Stephen Bridgland
BritishV8 UserID: Meerkat
City: Chiddingstone, Kent, England
Model: 1963 Morris Minor Two Door
Engine: Rover 3.5L V8
Conversion performed by: owner.
Features and Specifications
| Engine: | Land Rover Discovery 3.5L V8.
Standard Rover cylinder heads.
Edelbrock Performer 2198 intake manifold.
Edelbrock 500cfm four barrel carburetor (p/n 1404).
Edelbrock air cleaner.
Lucas distributor.
Electromotive breakerless ignition module. |
| Cooling: | MGB GT V8 radiator.
Electric fan. |
| Exhaust: | four-into-one block hugger headers.
Home made exhaust pipes. |
| Transmission: | Rover LT77 5-speed manual. |
| Rear End: | Jaguar limited slip differential.
3.54:1 final drive ratio. |
| Front Suspension: | MGB crossmember with chrome bumper springs.
MGB lever-type shock absorbers.
Modified MGB steering rack and column. |
| Rear Suspension: | Jaguar independent rear suspension.
Four Monroe (coilover) shock absorbers. |
| Brakes: | (master) modified Land Rover Discovery pedal box and servo. (front) MGB calipers. EBC drilled/slotted rotors. (rear) Jaguar inboard mounted calipers and rotors. |
| Wheels/Tires: | Performance 15x7 10-spoke aluminum wheels.
Kumho PowerMax tires (195/60 front, 215/60 rear).
|
| Instruments: | Autogage Monster tachometer.
Smiths oil pressure, voltmeter, and coolant temperature gauges. |
| Completed: | November 2012. |
| Steve Wrote: | From the outset I wanted to create a car that, at first glance, looks standard.
However, the noise this car makes is enough to give the game away.
The time taken for this project was 18 months, and I still have the interior to finish. When people ask me about it, they usually don't comprehend how much work is involved in such a build. The mere challenge of doing this is very fulfilling despite all the grazed knuckles and an odd trip to the hospital to take care of deeper cuts. I built this Morris Minor for ease of maintainance and future developement. All the parts used are readily available, and there's no shortage of performance upgrades. Cashflow is the only limiting factor. What is surprising is the amount of consumables used. If you're like me and don't worry about those costs until the credit card bill arrives - at which point the wife finds out - well, then the problems start! But I shall be driving the pants off the car for now and I'll enjoy every second. I enjoy the BritishV8 website. Should any of you visit the U.K., look me up! And remember: don't let the dream stealers get you. |
Engine Installation
Land Rover Discovery 3.5L V8.
MGB GT V8 radiator.
Fan belt, pulleys, and accessory installation.
Edelbrock Performer 2198 intake manifold and Edelbrock 500cfm four barrel carburetor (p/n 1404).
Trial fitting the Rover LT77 5-speed manual transmission.
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Steve: "The left inner wing was made by using the wheelarch section of the righthand wing and
the right inner wing was made by using the lefthand wing. These were then welded into place.
Steve: "I initially installed a Jaguar front suspension, but I found that the steering geometry
was unworkable. After a chance conversation with an MGB owner, I decided to cut off the
Jaguar unit and weld on an MGB crossmember. It turned out to be a much better solution."
Note also: modified Land Rover Discovery pedal box and brake servo.
Trial engine installation. (Note that Jaguar front suspension has been removed.)
Four-into-one block hugger headers.
Another shot of the engine, this time with the MGB crossmember in place.
Front Suspension
MGB front suspension crossmember welded into place in a Morris Minor.
MGB front brakes, slightly upgraded with drilled and slotted rotors.
Rear Suspension
3"x2" steel box-section tubing in place of original framerails. Cross-bracing extends to outer rails.
Jaguar inboard mounted calipers and rotors. Note also narrowed control arms.
Four Monroe (coilover) shock absorbers.
Plenty of room for wider rear wheels and tires.
Interior
New floorboards and custom fabricated transmission/driveshaft tunnel.
Bodywork
The Before Picture: a stock 1963 Morris Minor 2-door. Steve wrote: "I paid £800 for it,
as it was a runner and still had 6 months (to go on the) MOT certificate."
The Morris Minor model was tremendously successful, so replacement panels are still available.
Steve reprofiled the front wheel arches to suit larger tires better.
For a seamless look, rear wings have been welded into the body.
Old English White.
Finished Exterior
Performance 15x7 10-spoke aluminum wheels.
Steve is considering adding a little more front ground clearance.
Aerocatch hood pin latches.
