Mkv1 special

[Phil2max]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has any idea of how much weight is shed with the removal of a Mkv1 bodyshell. I'm just trying to get a rough idea of corner weights or overall weight of a typical Rose bodied special.

[John Murch]

A standard steel saloon is (I think) about 4000lbs while the rolling chassis is about 2800lbs.

50 years ago I fitted a Rose grp body to an Alvis chassis, as I did this by myself, I doubt the body weight was over 150lbs, so with light seats, screens etc, you should see a very substantial reduction in mass.

[Phil2max]

Thank you John for that information, very helpful.

I searched around after posting and found online that the standard steel bodied car has a kerb weight of 4078lb but could find nothing about the body or chassis weights. i was guessing around the weight of an original mini, which wasn't too far out from your figures.

No need for guess work now - thanks again.

[Stephen Blakey]

I realise this is quite an old thread but thought it a good place to park some measurements, if only to confirm the remarkable accuracy of John's reply of 2950lbs (1340Kg) + fixtures and fittings.

The ride quality on our full wheelbase Harry Rose is truly appalling and a set of much softer springs is needed. In order to design these, I needed to know the corner weights so I bought four medical scales off Amazon. These go up to 300Kg which enable me to weigh one end of the car at a time, with the wheels at the other end on wooden blocks to keep it level.

The car weights 1401Kg with about a quarter tank of fuel.

Average corner weights are; Front 348.5, Rear 352.

Distribution; Front 697, Rear 704
Left 705, Right 696

I was hoping to sneak the engine and gearbox an inch to the left to give enough room for an airbox on the right, but that's probably not going to work given that it's already heavier on the left. Clearly the battery and exhaust on the left weigh more than the steering column and pedals on the right.

If anyone has experience of having springs made, I would love to hear from them.

Stephen

[John Murch]

I’ve zero experience in having springs made, but have heard good things about owen springs in Rotherham.
https://www.owensprings.co.uk/
They sound is if they are happy to chat and advise.[/url]

[Phil2max]

Hi Stephen

Thank you for your reply and the useful information in respect of the vehicle weights.

I do like your special, and I am also impressed with your car weighing style.

I have recently found out that a friend of mine has a set of car scales from his days of rally car and racing minis preparation and maintenance. He has told me that I can borrow them but have not yet received them. Once I do, I will update this line of chat with the results.

I too am going through the process of trying to get my car set up with the right combination of ride height and spring rating. Whoever did the initial build of my car had cut down a pair of springs with a cutting disc to achieve a desired ride height. The springs used were not too bad for rating but not balanced due to the shortening technique, hence handled appallingly. I used one of these as a starting point and sent them to a company called Springcoil Ltd, Sheffield who made me a pair of springs to a similar height and slightly stiffer rating - maybe too stiff, might get softer ones on next mark 2 attempt.

Rear springs I have done nothing yet but will likely get re-tensioned at Jones-Springs as having spoken to them they have all the specs for just about every car leaf spring.

I am also toying with the idea of either fitting telescopic shock absorbers (as discreetly as possible) to assist with the car handling or to try and get the existing lever arms upgraded. Usually shock absorbers are the most common cause of bad handling but then usually they also have the correct springs to start with.

Like yourself, I would appreciate any information from anyone who has been down this road before.