Say hello to Stitch the ultimate sleeper Mini!

A Mini Magazine cover car.

Stitch a 1979 Mini Clubman was built by Torques Performance.  Not only is it a fabulous build, but it makes a very persuasive case for a classic Mini being powered by a much more modern engine.  Very persuasive, albeit in an extremely subtle way. For the most part Stitch looks just as humble as he did when he rolled off the production line.  Indeed, the only non standard exterior fitments are the 10 inch Ultralite bronze alloys (wrapped in sticky Yokohama Advan A032r tyres) and the centre exit rear exhaust.  And that's the beauty of this Pageant Blue delight.  It looks all cute and innocent.  Well, it is certainly cute.....but innocent? absolutely not. As the old adage goes looks can be deceiving.

When purchased this clean lined Clubman was powered by a 1098cc A-series a decent enough power plant, if not particularly powerful.  Well, that shopping car A-series has been given the heave-ho. In it's place is one of Yamahas finest : namely a 998cc YZF-R1 super bike 4XV engine. 

Torques Performance bought an abandoned project, one that came with the Knight Motorsport kit and an R1 engine. The price was right but the shell proved to be beyond economic repair. Fortunately, they had access to a 1979 Clubman 1100.  If you want to fit an R1 kit into a Mini, without having to resort to GRP/carbon/ or modified front end, you have to use a Clubman shell.  Not only was this Clubman an essential purchase, but from the moment this project was mooted, the decision was taken to keep the Clubman looking as standard as possible, and all-steel.  This is a 'sleeper'.  It was also built to Torques Performances exceptionally high standards.  Which meant that the shell got more than a simple makeover.  The shell was stripped then sent to Canon Pyon Shotblasting and Powdercoating, where it was blasted and acid-dipped.  But knowing that this was going to be Torques Performances show car, the decision was made to fit new floorpans, A-panels, rear valance, front wings, sills, and the shell was also fully seam-welded. The shell was then prepped and painted in its original Pageant Blue hue.  The glass is all original.  For longevity, all of the nuts, bolts, washes, hinges etc were blasted and zinc-coated by Hereford Metal Finishers, and the shell was comprehensively rust-proofed using Bilt Hamber rust prevention coatings and stone chip.

With the shell looking fabulous, Torques Performance set too with the 4XV R1 install.  A task that was made a great deal easier, thanks to the calibre of the Knights Motorsport kit.  They decided to keep the shell standard (the front end in particular), complete with the original inner wings, this called for some creative engineering to achieve this.  Knights Motorsport helped with this. 

With increasing the power considerably, the decision was taken to use Mini Sport 4 pot callipers/EBC GreenStuff pads, Minifins, and 'Torques' hoses and fittings throughout.  The suspension is uprated with Protech coilovers upfront and Gaz coilovers at the rear.  All of the suspension is rose-jointed and fully-adjustable.  Pete Kukainis, at PK's Kar Klinik, in Crickhowell set it up and corner-weighed it.  Thanks to this - and the equal-length drive shafts, which are also part of the kit - it doesn't suffer from torque steer and drives absolutely beautifully.  Drives beautifully that's an understatement and it goes like the proverbial off a shovel.  A trip to Nutts Performance Classic rolling road, where it was expertly set up by John Nutt saw it producing a staggering 146.7bhp at 9270 rpm.  According to the dyno, at this rpm, the Clubman was running at 135mph.  This motor will pull to 14000rpm and 190 bhp!  That means it would be nudging 155mph. Impressive and terrifying in equal measures. It has a sequential gearbox (the 4XV R1is mated to a slick shifting 6 speeder).  A high torque starter motor that works on the flywheels ring gear, is operated by a push button and works fantastically for all your reversing needs. 

The interior layout works very well also.  Like the exterior, it's minimalistic (pardon the pun)!  The classic style sports seats are Cobra.  While the carpet, roof lining and lots of other items are black and came from Mini Spares.  As for the dashboard simplicity is key, it's made of MDF and has been painted to match the shell.  A nice touch here is the retaining bolts are countersunk and attached to some custom U-shaped brackets, it retains the standard air vents and has an extra Smiths fuel gauge. The main instrument cluster is of course from the Yamaha R1.  Pro-Motive did the custom wiring loom.  The steering column is lowered by a billet aluminium bracket and the gear leaver is part of the Knight Motorsports kit.  The finished product is absolutely staggering, a classic Mini that has been redefined and reinvented.  Dont let its simple style deceive you.  This is one seriously potent package.  For example, a typical 1293cc Mini Miglia weighs in at 660kg and has around 130bhp.  Stitch is just 584kg and, as alluded to, has 190 bhp to play with.  It's a real Jekyll and Hyde......and a Mini masterpiece!

Opening offer for 72 hours only, this price will NEVER be beaten, so take advantage!

This is a GUARANTEED DRAW SUNDAY 27th of July at 8pm or before on sellout! Our recent competitions have sold out!

Opening offer £7.49 72 hours ONLY. Then sale price £9.99 until 80% sold then regular price £12.49 80-100%