Newsletter 35 - October 2003

Minari Owners Register
News Le er Number 35
Thought provoking thought
“If you are sufficiently irascible,
God might just decide to wait.”
Godfrey Just
October 2003
New Members for this N.L.
KJ from Telford OTR No 93
CS from Sherwood OTR No 94
SW from Bristol OTR No 95
Wow! do you see that 3 new members this me,
they are, KJ who now controls the car his brother built,
how convenient for that “How the hell was that bit
fied” queson.
CS. has bought the Yellow one which was James
Campbell’s pride and joy. Finally SW. has bought what
must be the bargain of the year, Stuart McD’s car, the
one which was built by our Chairman, Julian C.
Oh! for the foresight of hindsight
Musings 2
Goodwood Revival 11
French trip 13
Minari internaonal 16
Flying South 19
Shut that Door 22
Murphys law revisited 23
Sco/sh Scribe 24
Children 25
Big bike 26
STOP 26
Help lines/contacts 27
Welcome to all three of you, may you have a long and enjoyable ownership of these well
known cars.
Keith W. has succeeded in ge/ng his mother (SW) to buy the car just so he can see how it
was built, so he can finish his own, at last. Nice move Keith. Never took you for such a
devious swine. Though I’m sure Fran, (and mum Sue) would have told me so if I had
asked.
A warning. I needed a
replacement part for my car
which had come from the
body of the donor car,
and the local Alfa dealer
wanted the chassis
number. Their computer
couldn’t cope without it.
See next NL for details.
Your HELP needed.
To help fill those long winter evenings (and these
pages), please send me a résumé of what you did
with your car this summer. Either building,
rebuilding, or driving. Let me know where you
went and how good or bad it was, and where you
wished you had gone but didn’t. I will then let the
rest of the civilised (Minari) world know.
Thanks Dave
Page 1

Dave,
As I have recently become the proud owner of a Minari I am very
interested in joining the register-owners club.
I have actaully purchased the vehicle off my brother Andy Jackman
and I believe he was a member, so you should have the vehicle
details, though I don't believe he will have told you that he was
running it on 3 cylinders!
I look forward to receiving details from you and meeting other
members and cars in the future, and i'll share the rest of the 3
cylinder saga with you.
Kev Jackman
Kev
Welcome to the delights of Minari ownership. I hope you have a long and
enjoyable ownership. You are lucky as you have ready access to the cars
builder. He might be willing to help you with anything he has done and you
need to get at.
I have attached an application form for you. You will see that the
membership isn't a bank busting amount.
I'm afraid you have missed out on 2 events 1) Stoneleigh. 2) the BBQ at my
home yesterday. If only we knew!
However there’s a number of other gatherings where there will/should/
might be a Minari presence.
I look forward to the details of the only 3 cylinder Minari. It isn't a diesel is
it, Alfa did produce a 3 cylinder turbo diesel for the 33.
Dave
Kev
Welcome to Minari Register membership. I have received your application
form and cheque. Before I process it I have one question for you.
When a member joins during the membership year, I will send the back
issues of the newsletter and treat them as if having joined at the beginning
of the membership year (February). If someone joins in September I will
treat them differently. I will send the next NewsLetter and show them as
being paid up to the following February, (a period of about 15 months)
What would you prefer, Membership to run out at the end of this year and
receive the back issues of this years NLs, or at the end of 2004, and start
receiving your NLs at the end of September/beginning of November
Dave
Dave,
Thanks for your reply. I am quite happy to go with the immediate
membership to receive this years previous newsletters.
I've done nearly 300 miles in the car now. I have started the
installation of the hardtop in the last week. Is there a 'Guru' who
Page 2

could give me any advice for this task I've got some of my own ideas, they may
have been tried, tested and rejected already of course! The manual seems to dry
up just after the 'A' post seal instructions. I am considering using a removableinterchangeable
A post seal. With the hardtop installed the window seal would
carry on to the bottom of the A post and hardtop off the Minari A post style seal
would be clipped on.
I was reading an old back issue of the newsletter that my brother sent me
regarding demist air, I remember spending some time when helping to build the
car with him on shoehorning the original alfa 33 heater assembly in. It hasn't seen
full on bad weather with the hardtop on yet but the airflow through the original alfa
diffuser/screen vent seems very substantial on full blast. Perhaps i'll have to be
careful how well I seal the hardtop or i'll have a pressurised cabin!
As promised photo's of goings on related to 3 cylinder Minari!
Regards,
Kev.
Kev
Thanks for the reply, Unfortunately my spam killer killed your message saying it contained
a 4 letter word beginning with "f"and ending in"k". But I'm blowed if I can find it. I will post
the NL's etc today.
Thanks for the photos. Unfortunately I cant copy them to the NL. I can't even save them to
then copy them. I don't know why.
Dave
Sorry forgot to answer your question.
I don't have any experience of fitting the hard top, but I believe it is much easier if the hard
top is fitted first and then the change made to soft top later. I think your car had a soft top
fitted
I have passed your e-mail on to one of our Guru's, John Anthistle. He may be able to help.
John,
Kev has bought his brother, Andy's car, and has just joined us. Can you help please
Dave
NB Kev resent the pictures. I’ve tried to indicate the ‘track’ lines.
DAS
Page 3

The pictures on the previous page
show the plug lead cap which had
caused the loss of ignition on one
cylinder.
The one on this page shows the
exhaust manifold hidden behind the
anti-roll bar (I assume). The nearer
down pipe is still in its new / painted
condition indicating that the
associated cylinder has never ‘run’
since the manifold was last fitted.
DAS
E-mail 3/8/03
Dear David,
I read with relish the last N/L.
Regarding brake balance valves, I would strongly advise against using the Alfa Romeo one
on a Minari even in the miraculous event that the Alfa Valve is still working!!!!! In the
early days of 'Suds it was common for said valve to seize up after only half a German
winter.
Reasons are:-
1. Minari ride height is not the same as the original cars, whatever spring and damper
combination is used, therefore existing linkage must be redesigned.
2. Even standard road springs behave much more stiffly in a Minari than an Alfa so the
Alfa design feature of variability with rear loading and ride height is much less needed and
much less value. If uprated springs and dampers are used the amount of height change is
even less.
3. Rear braking effort varies with actual detail car build, brake pads fitted, wheels and tyres
and indeed spring/damper to road interface fidelity so should be set up for each car.
4. Minari weight distribution is different from '33s or 'Suds as well as differing for different
engine combinations in a Minari too.
5. Forward weight transfer under heavy braking is a little less on a Minari since the centre
of gravity and front overhang mass is lower on a Minari than on a 33 or 'Sud.
The Aldon Mini valves or the Merlin Motorsport valves used by Minari, in either ones or
twos depending on the actual brake system layout, work well and can be adjusted for
particular circumstances when you know what you are about. Demon Tweeks valves also
work well but are more costly. I also believe Le Mans Motor Sport and Bob Gren
developments can supply suitable valves too.
The SVA guys do demand that the balancers are fixed any way. They are prepared to
accept drilled wing nuts or adjuster bolt heads secured with lock wire and a lead seal.
"Lead Seal" I hear you cry. Surely this is not "Circus Metallica" No, lead seals are a
doddle- pass the locking wire into the wire cutting pocket of a largish pair of pliers with the
cavity uppermost. Then pour in molten lead until the cavity is filled around the locking
Page 4

wire, allow to cool. Lead can be plumber's solder, electrical solder, or best of all old
Church roof.
SVA then gets even more impressed if you find a few letter punches and stamp a code or
your initials on the seal, as I did on the Delfino prototype.
If you talk to your MOT station nicely, they will let you set up the brake balance valves on
their rolling road by the book.
On pre SVA motors, adjusting the Brake Balance Valve is easy and oit can pay dividends
since on a dry track day one can screw more braking out of the rear axle than would be
ideal on a wet B road.
Just for the record the pliers lead casting technique was developed by me and other
colleagues when we were about 9 for high performance catapult shot.
Best Regards
John P.
John thanks for that. I have forwarded it to Steve, he who posed the original question. I
have also sent it to Keith W. who is at about the same stage with his brakes.
The lead seal is ingenious. But wouldn’t a lead seal sink Sorry, it reminded me of a
mechanical seal as used in fire pumps in my youth. Pictured as a Grey Seal with a key
sticking out of its back!!! Sad I know but my initials backwards are…...
Dave
******************************
E-mail 29/7/03
Hi Dave,
I recently bought James Campbell’s Minari and would like to join the club. I know
James was going to try & transfer his membership, however, I know it costs money
to run a club and therefore I’m willing to pay for a new membership.
I would appreciate a fast reply since my insurers want proof of my membership (by
this Saturday). If you could email me the details, it would be very much
appreciated. Thanks.
Charlie.
Charles
When a member joins during the membership year, I will send the back issues of
the newsletter and treat them as if having joined at the beginning of the
membership year (February). However, if someone joins in September I will treat
them differently. I will send the next NewsLetter and show them as being paid up
to the following February, (a period of about 15 months) A membership card will be
issued showing membership for the current year, and then a new one will be
issued at the start of the next membership year.
What would you prefer, Membership to run out at the end of this year and receive
the back issues of this years NLs, or at the end of 2004, and start receiving your
NLs at the end of September/beginning of November
Dave
Thanks for replying. I’ve filled in the application form and will post it tomorrow with
a cheque for £10. I would prefer to receive the back issues of this years
Page 5

newsletters and for my membership to run out at the end of the year.
Thanks.
30/7/03
OK
Will run them off tonight ready for the application form etc.
Dave
1/8/03
Charles
Your application received this morning. At the first opportunity I will go to the post office
and get your stuff off to you. There will be a membership card for the benefit of the
insurers. Have you tried Hill House Hammond Specialist vehicle unit in Peterborough
01733 310899. They are the people I use at the moment.
Dave
4/8/03
Wow, that was quick! I received the membership pack early Saturday morning.
The newsletters contain some good advice – I really need to know more about the
“Water catcher at the base of the screen” in NL31, pg12 as I get water in the
passenger footwell when it rains!
More urgently though, I require a new thermostat (1983 Alfa 33 1.5 twin carb). I
removed the housing to find the thermostat was well & truly held in by “peened”
over edges. Where is the best place to source one from (main dealer). Thanks.
Charlie.
4/8/03
Charles.
Glad you got the information. I, and a number of other members want details of the water
catcher, but it appears that this was something the builder of that particular car had made
himself. Unfortunately the builder died suddenly about a year ago, aged 39!
With regard to the water in the footwell, do you know the route taken by the water, as there
is a drain hole under the heater box in the battery tray area, if this hole gets blocked by
leaves, sweetie wrappers or small boys, the water builds up and finds its way into the foot
well. I will try to find a series of articles done by the former build agents for the factory, in
these the problems of water ingress is addressed. (NB Found and forwarded.)
The actual thermostat on VERY early Suds were replaceable. The rest are non replaceable.
To change the thermostat one has to change the whole thermostat housing. I can
recommend Alfashop for a number of your requirements. Their web site,
www.alfashop.co.uk doesn't show the thermostat, but I don't think the web site list is
comprehensive. Best bet is to phone them. 01603 426277
Avoid Main Dealers unless you want to pay their prices, having said that prices were
recently reduced across the range.
Page 6

Enjoy your Minari
Dave
P.S. you will have seen that I 'publish' just about every letter and e-mail I receive, unless it
is marked not for publication or some thing similar. So this is going straight in the next NL.
D.
Sorry I didn't
make the AGM
with the wedding
impending It
slipped my mind!!
A wanted add, for the 156 if anyone knows of any Zender challenge 17" wheels going
spare for the Alfa 156 I would be interested even if its only an odd one. As they don't make
them any more and I've just had to have two welded up because of cracks in the rim! Nasty
stuff!
The minari is still progressing at a snail's pace but I do hope to get it higher up the priority
list (have to consult better
half!) I keep doing odd bits
in the workshop at work.
All the best to you and
family and fellow
minari'sts!!
Regards
Adrian
P.S. hope you like the pic!
I thought the grass referred
to something the guests had
to smoke!
Have I been with certain
members too much
What a lovely picture.
Congratulations to both of you.
Poor long suffering Alex has had to wait for the house to be (re)built, the drive and garage
to be built, and the Minari safely installed, before they could wed.
Please don’t wield the thumb too heavily Alex, let him do some work on the Minari.
It has been waiting a long time too.
DAS
Page 7

*******************
Hi Dave,
The pictures of the carb gaskets in the last newsletter raises an interesting point. In
the first photo, the right hand one is a carb to air filter seal as you rightly conclude.
In the other picture both parts are Weber IDF float chamber gaskets. The left one
is for an Alfa spec carb and the other is for an aftermarket standard IDF. The
location of the idle jets is different.
If you contact Webcon, they will sell you a standard model. To get the Alfa special I
think you have to go through an Alfa dealer. Be carefull when getting parts as there
are other differences.
On another matter, I am interested in the Castle Combe action day as mentioned
by John H. Can you let me have his contact details so I can discuss
arrangements Will you be going
Bye for now,
Mark.
Mark
Thanks for the info on the carbs. Lets hope I never have to do it again.
I haven't tried the carbs I bought at National Alfa day. One day when I am bored I might
try them. But I will have to do a refurb job on them first! (And start all over again)
I have sent an e-mail to John H. with your details and have asked him to contact you.
I won't be going as it is too close to coming home from next holiday.
Hope you enjoy yourselves. and come away unscathed.
Dave
***********************
Dear Dave,
E-mail 31.8.03
It was good to see you at the Alfa day at Gaydon – what did you think of the new venue I
was a little disappointed; it lacked the charm of Stanford Hall by the river. I guess working
at Land Rover next door doesn’t make it the best place for me to visit at weekends!
Regarding the build of my car I have once again made little progress this summer. I have
come to the conclusion that I simply have too many commitments and other interests to be
able to significantly progress the build and I cannot realistically see this situation changing
in the near future. Consequently, the kit is available for sale to anyone who would like to
take it on although I will continue to work on it as and when time permits. I know you and
the factory get the occasional enquiry from people seeking kits and I would be grateful if
you would pass the details contained here on to any potential buyers. I’m sure you will
want to publish this note in the next newsletter also. My car is Alfasud based, it has a
lightened and balanced 1.5 litre engine (by Autosprint) and many new and renovated parts
Page 8

eady to fit, all of the dirty work is done. All the unique Minari parts are available with the
exception of hard or soft top. I can of course provide a full breakdown of parts required
and work still to do – there is a lot - to any interested parties.
On another subject I recently spent some time searching old newsletters for some articles
on wheel and tyre sizes for Minaris – I found them eventually and it struck me that there
must be a better way of searching for that essential build tip, contact number etc. that you
know you’ve seen somewhere sometime. An index to newsletters would be ideal but
putting this together for several years worth of newsletters would be a soul destroying task
you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. Now, since the letters exist in electronic format
it may be possible to search for what you want using the software – I guess you use Word
format The obvious next step is, why not issue the newsletters electronically to those that
have e-mail – this may be the majority of members. Have you considered this It would of
course save time and the cost of postage and printing and the members would have the
facility to search the text and save good quality pictures also.
Lastly a recommendation to all members, go and see a Minari RSR on the race track if you
haven’t already had the pleasure. We went to Donington last year and saw 2 Minaris
perform very well in the Auto Italia race – they are most impressive to watch down through
Craner curves, well worth the effort.
Best Regards,
Tony Hughes
Contact: telephone 0121 704 2114 or e-mail tony.hughes@tesco.net
N.B. Tony only wants £2500 for his ‘kit’ DAS.
Tony
I am sorry to have received this e-mail. However I can understand why. I have put it in the
next NL already. I will put something on the web site for you too, if you wish.
To answer your point about electronic NL for those with the facility. I have considered this
but a couple of problems exist, not least that I don't use word for the NL, but Microsoft
Publisher. It is possible to send Publisher documents but it is time consuming (and I
haven't really got to grips with it yet) also there are times when a members e-mail address
doesn't work for obscure reasons.
When doing a group message I sometimes get a message back to say one of the recipients
hasn't received it, but it doesn't say who that person is!!!!
I would therefore have to send the NL individually to be sure.
As for the index idea, I have thought of that too, but the work involved is a bit daunting.
Some thing for the winter perhaps.
Not sure how I feel about Gaydon as a venue, there appeared to be more space, and at
least there wasn't goose sh*t everywhere! The one car I wanted to see (Triumph
Mayflower) wasn't there.
I prefer the 'model' grouping of Stanford Hall, that way all Minaris could be together.
Page 9

I missed the 'burger' stands of Stanford Hall too.
Dave
********************
Dave,
Just a quick note after reading the last newsletter. In musings there was a note
about the repair of my Minari. The note mentioned that I should have contacted
Kingswalk about the bumper. In my original mail I had forgotten to add that this
was an insurance repair for a no fault claim (so I did not have to get my hands
dirty). I wanted the car to be repaired by a reputable company, and knowing that
Kingswalk would supply the spares only, I spoke to John Anthistle who did supply
me with a price for the replacement bumper from Kingswalk. I had misunderstood
DesignQ and apologise to the chaps at Kingswalk as they did an excellent job of
the replacement bumper and a very quick turnaround on it (if only the insurance
company had been quicker !). Thankfully the car seems to have made it through
the wonderful summer we have just had without someone deciding to have a
closer look at the rear !
I think that I have finally resolved the starter motor problems after returning the
starter motor twice to the local suppliers, as it had developed the same problem on
both replacements. The problem turned out to be a sticking solenoid. I stripped the
solenoid and the problem was with the plunger getting "gundged" up. After
cleaning this the car now starts every time (so far).
I don't know if anyone out there is looking for seats for their Minari, but I have a
pair of Corbeau seats that I originally had fitted to my car. I had the seats replaced
because of a couple of small "nicks" on the right hand side of the seat. They are
black vinyl and would probably need to be recovered. There are no runners as
these were fitted to my replacement Corbeau seats. If anyone is interested in them
then they can either collect them or pay the courier costs. It would be such a sad
end to see them thrown down the tip when someone could probably use them.
Oh well must get on and I have attached a photo of an alternative form of transport
for the people who have yet to complete their cars.
Keep up the good work and should anyone be interested in the seats then pass my
mobile number onto them.
Keith S.
Keith
Thanks for that, it is in the next NL already, as is the picture. Silly sod. (see next page). But
is this a taste of the Major of London's next scheme to get all private vehicles off the
roads
I am glad your baby is behaving now and starting every time, lets hope this isn't the kiss of
death!.
Dave
Page 10

I went to Tredegar
House, Newport, Gwent,
on 20/21st September,
for the final Vintage and
Specialist Rally. I
haven’t the me or the
space in this NL to
include a report and
pictures, but will do so
Goodwood Revival.
As most of you may know I have planned to go to the Goodwood Revival meeng for
some me, since John A had done his first report for us some me ago.
I have finally done it, and once again an event ‘organised’ by John was blesses with good
weather. I was told off when I got home as I had a rosy glow to my nose and cheeks.
I leE home at about 0600, I wanted to avoid the M25 early Friday car park. When I
started the journey the weather didn’t look too promising, well I couldn’t see the weather
for thick fog. Yes thick FOG. However I made reasonable me and eventually arrived at
the car parking fields exactly 85 miles and 2 and a quarter hours later. At that me there
were only a few hardy fools there before me and so I parked (the Alfa) at the front of my
Page 11

chosen field. Ticket bought, and walk straight in. The advantages of an early arrival. I had
planned to meet a number of other members there so didn’t wander too far from the
main entrance. But then I heard an awful racket. Some wonderfully unsilenced racing
engines were being warmed up prior to the first unmed pracce. I found a nice place to
watch the proceedings, at the end of a straight and just before the chicane on the main
straight. The sounds of these old engines was magnificant, and to see the cars sideways
on as the drivers driEing the cars, was truly worth the effort of ge/ng there so early.
What struck me was that the drivers really meant it. They were throwing perhaps £‘lots
and lots’ around as they were designed to be thrown.
Whilst I was watching this exhibion, John A phoned to say he was there and where was I.
We managed to find each other, though John tried to avoid me by not seeing me, it must
be the lack of glasses as I now have contact lenses, and I wasn’t wearing my customary
Minari Cap!
We looked round the paddock and I was given a lesson on older racing cars by John. He is
an encyclopaedia. We had a look at the bikes of my youth, Manx Nortons, Matchless,
Paon (I had forgoen about them), Gilera, Velocees, Triumphs. Oh wow! I gave him a
lesson on old bikes. I looked for familiar faces but didn’t see any. I was most
disappointed to not see the bikes pracce at that me but thought I would be able to see
them later. So the disappointment wasn’t too great. We met up with John H, who had
come in his Minari and put me to shame, and later Ron and Eileen K. Also not in their
Minari. But I had lousy weather when I leE home. (Any excuse!!!).
As we were watching some producon saloon cars, one went past and made an awful
scraping noise, which I overheard someone say was due to a wheel coming off. Whoops.
But again the cars were being thrown about, and the engines being put to the test.
AEer an early lunch (11.00) we watched a flying display by an old Russian piston engined
plane.
We found an alternave locaon at the end of the start / finish straight, to watch the
producon sports cars, Astons, AC Cobras, Jags etc. It was good to see the drivers having
to fight the cars, sawing at the wheel and tail out ancs, this is how racing should be, not
the exhibion of technology and down force which passes for Formula 1 at the moment.
Unfortunately my legs and feet were giving me a hard me, dodgy joints and thick socks
in ght boots! I also got bored with the processional un-med pracce, I had forgoen
the drivers were officially ‘learning’ the circuit. I wish I hadn’t forgoen, because I
decided to leave early, and long before the bikes came out for their med pracce.
At the me I said I wouldn’t be going again, but I’m not sure now.
DAS.
p.s. Sorry, didn’t take any pictures other than of a plane, or two.
p.p.s. Interesngly the return journey was also exactly 85 miles.
Page 12

Cee Une Voiture Ce Je Montė Moi Mem!
(Not sure of the spelling, but “It’s a car which I mounted [built] my self“ DAS)
Following our short inaugural foray in the Custard Tart (our yellow Mk1 Minari) to
Normandy last summer, we decided to try a more extended tour this year; but with more
planning. Well, we did a bit beer on the planning side – the ferry was booked two weeks
before departure, and some of those lile jobs on the car that should have been done in
the winter were aempted in a feverish rush the week before departure. Lunchme on a
hot June day found us heading down the A3 again to Portsmouth for the Caen ferry
packed with camping and other gear for two weeks. We seem to spend a lot of me on
car ferries, but we agreed that this was the tops. The Briany Ferries boat was beauful,
the food good and reclining seats could be had for no extra charge. As a bonus we leE and
docked in Oistreham dead on me. The other punters were an unusual selecon; around
80% caravans (mostly big) so we felt more than usually dwarfed in the CT.
The plan was to head for the Auvergne, camping most of the me. Not wanng to repeat
the mad midnight dash to a remote hotel (closed by the me we found it of course) which
figured on last year’s trip, we booked a room through the ferry company. A good choice;
five minutes aEer driving off the ferry we were booking in.
Breakfast was spent plo/ng step two of the plan, a day on the Normandy D-Day beaches,
followed by a meander south for the night’s camp. The “Grand Bunker” museum in
Oistreham was fascinang and along with the American cemetery at Omaha beach
brought home the size and commitment of both the defenders and invasion forces. The
cool wind and low cloud added to the atmosphere. The aEernoon highlighted a feature of
our trips to France. I wonder whether French signposng has really recovered from the
war. Signs without road numbers, signs visible only when you’ve passed them; of course
we got lost. Recovering our sense of direcon we finally got south of Caen without quite
going via Briany.
We found a campsite (no easy task in mid-June, it turned out) and ate freshly caught trout
as the sun went down, and the evening chill rose. We had seen remarkably few brits
during the day, surprising since it was the Monday aEer Le Mans weekend. Just a couple
of MGFs and a series of pre-WW1 vintage autos which kept hurtling round corners
towards us.
The next day saw us past Le Mans and Tours via D roads, and evening camped on a farm
on the northern edge of the Loire. The owner proudly showed us the facilies. Although
looking prey rusc from the outside they were the cleanest and best equipped that we
were to see for the whole fortnight. He then topped it by giving us a bag of freshly picked
cherries. Then across the Loire and into warm weather at last, we approached the
Auvergne via Chateauroux and Montlucon. Chateauroux got the award for the most
unspeakable road surfaces of the trip, just one long collecon of potholes. I wondered
whether the suspension would survive. Then we saw the jagged outline of the Auvergne
Page 13

Sheltering from the midday sun!
All this went into……….
skyline, a rewarding moment aEer around 500 miles of driving.
The D roads we had taken were generally good, but almost exclusively single carriageway,
Page 14

…………this (look and be jealous Mk2 owners!)
and with a fair bit of traffic. While the
Minari has the poke even fully loaded
(in kg rather than accessories) for
pressing on in these condions, the
poor visibility for overtaking when
driving on the right ruled out fast
progress without undue heroics.
The search for our first campground in
the Auvergne took an interesng turn.
AEer following signs to a non-existent
site we accosted a gent in the village
square. He was soon joined by a
charming white van man who asked
what our car was. “une Alfa Romeo
speciale” (don’t know the French for
kit) I said (see #tle DAS).
At this he hopped into his van with a
“suivez moi au camping” and took off
with mucho wheelspin. Shades of Le
Mans. A hecc 15km along a twisty,
undulang D road followed as we tried
to keep him in sight. It was worth it,
he took us right to the gate.
By now temperatures were
heading for the 40’s every day although nights were cool, so shade trees were an essenal
feature for pitching the tent. To get a view of the area we drove to the top of the Puy de
Dome (1465 metres). Quite a climb; I guess around two miles at a gradient of about 25%.
Unfortunately the peak itself is rather spoilt by a large communicaons building and
masts, but the views were stunning although the Alps and Mont Blanc were hiding in the
haze.
Our second center in the area was Murol, from where we explored the villages and
byroads. Here we met a Dutch couple (ex ballroom dancing champions!) who were
motorcycle camping. In five days they had toured the Cevennes and further south and
were planning to make Roerdam nonstop the next day. It made us look a bit feeble. Our
week in the Auvergne concluded with a night of tremendous thunderstorms and
torrenal rain. We were snug in the tent, but the morning sun found me bailing out the
lowest point of the Minari’s boot. The drainage channel had surrendered at some stage
and overflowed into the boot on one side. Water flows to the lowest point, in this case
the box secon that the offside rear Was linkage bolts into. Guess what No drainhole! I
managed to suck most of it (about a litre) out with a drinks bole. The rest had to wait
unl we got home. The hood held out though.
Bailing completed we packed up and regreWully leE the Auvergne, hi/ng the autoroute at
Page 15

Clermont Ferrand for the dash to Orleans (toll 22 euros). As soon as we leE the autoroute
we were totally lost, but navigang by the sun (if it's behind you you're going north) we
managed to get on the map again. A couple of days in Sees (lovely old cathedral town)
found us in the company of brits again; we had only met one English couple since leaving
the hotel on our first morning.
Then back to the ferry (on me again) for Portsmouth. We drove off (with crate of wine)
at 9pm into a downpour (hood down of course), and had to resort to a few miles of fast
driving to keep out the worst of it before we could erect the shelter (first me in 2 weeks)
to connue home in the dry. Fourteen hundred miles door to door.
Overall impressions The Auvergne is certainly worth a visit for the scenery food and
villages. Open air driving can be hot work at such high temperatures, and it was
interesng that it was all ntops (presumably with a/c) south of Normandy. But you can’t
beat fresh air motoring in our opinion. Our bums were a bit sore at the end of it; those
potholes aren’t soaked up too well parcularly when heavily loaded. Fluid consumpon:
oil, none detectable; coolant, none detectable; petrol, around 37mpg; wine, many litres.
No overheang despite hot weather, steep gradients and heavy load (the CT packs a
Fiesta rad). Not a spanner or screwdriver was wielded during the fortnight. A memorable
trip.
John Hammond.
John, thanks for the ar#cle, and the photos. That is the way to treat a Minari, take it for a
long, well loaded and enjoyable trip on rela#vely traffic free roads. Great fun. I am
Dear Peter,
MORE ON MINARI
Page 16
Letter to Which Kit
From Minari-International
Further to your Which,What, When article in August edition of Which-Kit I am glad to be
able to inform your readers that Minari is not dead but only hibernating, albeit for a little
longer that we had first hoped!!
Minari International Limited acquired the residual tooling and design rights from the
liquidator of Minari Engineering Limited early in 2000 . The Minari name was
subsequently registered as a trademark with the full agreement of Minardi Formula One
team.
Unfortunately, the liquidator did not have possession of the production tooling for the Road
Sport and RSR models which meant we had to work with pre-production tooling that had
been originally been used for the Minari Mk1. It has proved quite difficult to recreate a
satisfactory full roadgoing model like the Road Sport from this early tooling. We have

therefore decided to concentrate on producing a track day sports racing model that has the
potential to be SVA compliant, the car will still utilise Alfa Romeo 33 running gear, engine
and transmission, but the less attractive features of the Alfa donor e.g eccentric wiring will
be phased out!
Steve Greenwood (Quantum Extreme Chassis designer) has designed a new fabricated
front subframe which will provide an adjustable front suspension still using the Alfa struts
with coilover racing springs, and we are developing a revised rear suspension set up still
based on the Alfa components but uitilising a stiff fabricated steel structure to provide
improved location for rollover bars/race cages and safety harnesses. This should simplify
the process of satisfying race circuit scrutineers and SVA inspectors who seem less familar
with GRP monocoque structures and like to see some cold steel!
Last year Richard Ashby penned a radical makeover to the car's front end and currently that
is being tweaked to be less vulnerable to trackside kerbs and sleeping policemen. Although
a prototype featuring full depth doors was developed the move away from full roadgoing
design has meant that we will probably despense with doors and bond in the half height
door mouldings to produce a central monocoque tub very similar the MInari RSR race cars
that are still competing successfully in the Auto-Italia race series.
Richard Ashby has also designed an attractive once piece dashboard with centralised
instruments to enable both right and left hand drive versions to be manufactured.
Hopefully, a revised fully adjustable pedal box and longer steering column will result in a
more conventional sports racing driving position that larger guys like myself will be feel
more comfortable with, a half screen will complete the package thus dispensing with the
need for heater and wipers.
When will all this be finished
Well our company has relocated to North Cambridgeshire quite close to Jim Dudley's Tiger
Cars and our main activitities continue to be in IT and Technology Consultancy so Minari-
Racing, as the project is now designated, is not our highest priority. We are currently in
discussions with a potential European based partner as the popularirty of Alfa 33 in the
Benelux region could develop an attractive market for the kit.
We also have an agreement with Mettisse cars that production cars/kits could be
manufactured in S.Wales once we have sorted out the final specifcations and I really hope
that by the end of this year we will have the first pre-production car running. We have
donated a prototype kit to Brooklands College so hopefully when term time returns the
college will make progress with getting their own Minari running in 2004.
A new website is planned by end of August the domain name is:-
www.minari-racing.co.uk
My contact details are:-
Michael Anthony
Minari-Racing
Page 17

Minari International Limited
E-Space North
Littleport, Ely
Cambridgeshire CB6 1RA
Tel: 01353 865360
Fax: 01353 865361
mobile: 07990 535170
e-mail: minariracing@aol.com
I have attached a photograph of Richard Ashby's front end makeover, the car had a full
cage fitted because it has full depth doors and modified sills, however, we favour a simpler
more elegant racing rollover bar similar to those used in the RSR with the full race
monocoque which is immensely strong.
Hope this information provides some hope for those Alfa fans looking to breath life into
their rusting 33s, Sprints and Suds!!
Kind regards,
Mike Anthony
Mike,
Thanks for including me in the loop. I have of course put it straight in the next NewsLetter.
I wish you well with the project, and eagerly await developments.
Dave
Page 18

Heading South for the ‘winter’
plus
Minari BBQ
At last Chriss and I can draw breath and I can get on the comptometer and
communicate with your good self! The Yellow Beastie is now safely ensconced
not so far oop North in Cumbria having covered a not inconsiderable number of
miles in a circuitous route to get there – a few rests were taken on the way!
I said a fond farewell to RAF Kinloss on 4 July and YB departed the distant
north the following day. A very pleasant topless drive through the scenic
countryside of Scotland the following morning ended in the Trossachs, for a night
stop at the Crieff Hydro. The onward journey continued southerly the next day.
Still topless, the trip was nowhere near as pleasant, as it was mostly motorways –
not the natural home of the Minari! The YB then recovered in Cumbria for a
couple of weeks while Chriss and I returned to Crieff for a further two nights with
the ‘nasty team’ from the Elgin branch of BPW (Business and Professional
Women) – a national organisation that promotes the interests of women or, if
you’re in the Elgin branch, promotes the profits of brewers/distillers various. We
had an excellent weekend with the team before heading back North for the move.
Those of our membership who have moved after a long stay (15 years) in one
home will know what we faced. I can quite believe that moving is as traumatic as
divorce if not more so! Eventually the removers finished packing at 1430 on 14
Jul. We had lunch with our nextdoor neighbours, wished them a fond adieu and
departed South, Chriss in the black YB, as seen at Stoneleigh, myself in the trusty
Rover. All these cars make for a logistical nightmare!
The next day the YB and black YB (hope you’re following this Dave) departed
for a night stop in an Oxfordshire farmhouse B&B. The route we took was along
the A66 to Scotch Corner then down the A1/A1(M). It was whilst we were both
progressing topless along this part of the Queen’s highway (robbery) that I
noticed a particularly nice red Italian motor car approaching from the rear (where
else). It was a 360 Modena Spider, also topless. The driver drove passed the black
YB at a fair rate of knots (RAF speak for quite fast) and slowed down abeam
(Navy speak for alongside) the YB. Now I might be wrong but, I don’t think he
knew what the YB was and probably still doesn’t despite ‘hanging around’ for
about 15 miles. At one stage black YB and YB created a Ferrari sandwich. With a
registration number of L 1 NKS, Chriss seems to think that the driver, who gave a
casual wave on first ‘meeting’, might have something to do with golf. Don’t see it
Page 19

Minari BBQ. Front ‘garden’ complete with 3 Minarii. Stood on pavement are
l to r, Phil hidden behind Jusn and Vicky, discussing the Register banner across
the front bedroom windows.
myself! Anyway, after this piece of excitement we carried on to our B&B.
Wednesday started with a full English breakfast which gave us both physical and
mental strength to complete our move from a croft in 3.5 acres to a 1960s prefab
semi on an RAF married patch. The next 2 days were spent trying to organise the
chaos to little or no avail. Saturday dawned with blue and sunny skies and Chriss
and I departed for destinations further south, still topless. We had a very pleasant
break at my brother’s in Caterham drinking coffee and eating sticky buns in the
garden before travelling East and a bit North to Bexley.
Here our esteemed secretary was holding a BBQ for the Minari Register. This
event had been specifically requested by our NEW CHAIRMAN. Our arrival was
communicated to Dave by Andrea saying ’You’ve got visitors in a yellow car, a
very yellow car! But the chairman wasn’t there, and he only had to come over
from Wales not the North of Scotland! Other Minaristi who were in attendance
were Ron and Eileen, Vicky and Justin plus some teacher friends of the Smiths
and neighbours. It was a Napoleon do (as in Bonaparte-bona party!) and many
thanks to yourself Dave, and your Eileen for both putting us up for the night and
putting up with us – much appreciated. I do believe that at some stage of the
proceedings, Andrea was heard to refer to two old drunks. Surely not us Dave.
Page 20

Following day, YB returned South and
West along M25 to Croydon for lunch with
elder daughter and her beau before
returning to Brize Norton to gather breath
before the following day’s push back up to
Cumbria. All in all a smashing round trip
during which the YB performed faultlessly
bar an annoying touch point when turning
right. This is still to be investigated and
hopefully will not prove too problematic.
We have since been back to Caterham for
my niece’s 21 st to sample the M25 in all it’s
glory! We had obviously been extremely
lucky in the Minari as there had been no
hold-up on the M25. This time though, revenge – 15 miles in 80 mins, delightful.
On our return to Cumbria the M25 was fine, as were the rest of the roads. I’d
never seen a Lamborghini Diablo on the road before but on that journey we saw
two and very impressive they looked too. Come to think of it, I still haven’t seen
our Chairman at a Minari BBQ – rarer than a Lamborghini then! Only jesting
Julian, trust all is well.
Well, must go - my meat and potato pie with mushy peas is being dished up.
Thanks again Dave, maybe we can meet up at Donington.
Phil.
Not as impressive as the Le Mans wall
in the last NL, but the best we could do
in the circumstances.
D.
P.S.( from Chriss who is more interested in number plates than cars!) – the
numbers on the Lamborghinis were “S007” and “L13MBO” with the 3 modified
such that the 13 looked like an A – impressive what
Diary 2003
15, 16 Nov. The Great Western Kit Car Show - Exeter
Wot Nuffink else
Page 21

European Fast Car Show, 9th & 10th August.
This was one show which I wanted to try, it was the first of what was proposed would be
an annual event (I presume!).
The 9th was a glorious day, so the drive of only about 35 miles was a real pleasure. The
weather God was very good to the organiser.
I was directed to the Kent Kit Car Club area (I am a member). It was early and there
weren’t that many cars, kit or otherwise in site. I was forced to set my chair up and also
the parasol I had taken. I am so pleased I took it too. ‘Our’ area was in good sight of the
arena, so I expected a good day, with a good display in-front of me.
I had even set aside both days, however. I only did the one day.
The biggest display was either the KKCC area or the modified standard road cars. You
know the sort of thing lowered and debadged Clio, Saxa, Corsa, BMW 3 series etc. They
were all together and the main thing that brought them together was the Huge sound
systems. The Beemer had to have his engine running to power the system
Bored, I decided to leave quite early, and I wasn’t the only one. The car refused to start,
the baery was flat. A bump start and I was away though.
On checking the baery a couple of days later, I found that it was low on water, but as it
was marked maintenance free, I assumed it wasn’t necessary to check it and top up. How
wrong one can be. Topped up and leE on trickle charge for a while and all now appears
OK.
An old dining room chair,
A block of wood,
A jack and
A bad back.
What have the above got to do with the dropped drivers
door on my minari
Simple really. Read on and you will find out how.
When I built the car the doors shut nicely, then I added glass, runners, electric winders and
trim. This all weighs, and flexed the doors down. So the doors no longer shut nicely.
Some time ago David R. adjusted the passangers door so that it shut nicely from 6 inches
open. Just let the door go and it shut all on its own due to the good fit and the hinge spring.
The drivers door however wouldn’t adjust, we improved it but it wasn‘t as good as the
other one.
Recently I decided to try to adjust the door alone. When the doors were adjusted before it
was a two person operation. This time I was alone!
Page 22

First loosen the top 3 nuts and bolts. So that the door could be eased up whilst pivoting on
the bottom bolt. Door promptly dropped even further.
How to set the door
Gather the items mentioned at the beginning of this piece. With the door open the chair
was placed under it. The jack was placed under the sill to prevent the springs compressing
and causing the body to move as I clambered over and in the car.
The door was about 3 inches clear of the chair. Hence the need for the piece of wood. The
car could be raised or lowered to get the door hinges in the right position to make it shut in
the desired way. I got it right on the second attempt.
It now remains for me to explain the last item in the title. Well that was from trying to hold
the bolt still on the outside of the car with a ring spanner, whilst leaning in to and under the
dash with a socket and ratchet to do the thing up again.
I set my self a full day to do the job. In the end it took about 30 minutes.
Jobs expected to be quick have been known to take me hours.
DAS
Some Murphy’s laws for you!!!
If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious.
Logic is a systemac method of coming to the wrong conclusion with confidence.
An expert is one who knows more and more about less and less unl he knows absolutely
everything about nothing.
Tell a woman there are 300 billion stars in the universe and she'll believe you. Tell her a
bench has wet paint on it and he'll have to sit on it to be sure.
Some people manage by the book, even though they don't know who wrote the book or
even what book.
AEer all is said and done, a hell of a lot more is said than done.
The only perfect sight is hind-sight.
When all else fails, read the instrucons.
Anything when dropped will roll into the least accessible corner. ***
Any aempt to print Murphy's laws will jam the printer.
A memo is wrien not to inform the reader but to protect the writer.
The vehicle in front of you is always travelling slower than you are.
We’ve all probably fallen foul to most of these – not that we’d own up to it!!!!!!
***Unless it’s bu/ered toast, when it will land bu/er side down.
From Steve D
Thanks DAS
Page 23

A NEW CHEMICAL ELEMENT
ADMINISTRATUM
Administratum is probably the heaviest substance known to science.
It has no protons or electrons, and thus has an atomic weight of zero. However, it does
have one neutron, 125 assistant neutrons, 75 vice neutrons and 111 assistant vice
neutrons. This gives it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 parcles are held together in a
nucleus by a force that involves the connuous exchange of parcles called morons.
Since it has no electrons, Administratum is totally inert. However, it can be detected
chemically, since it impedes every reacon it comes into contact with. A ny amount can
cause a reacon to take over four days where the normal reacon me is one second.
Administratum has a normal half-life of three years, at which me it does not decay, but
instead undergoes a reorganisaon in which neutrons and assistant vice neutrons
exchange places.
Studies have shown the atomic mass usually increases aEer each reorganisaon.
Sciensts point out that Administratum is known to be toxic at any level of concentraon,
and can easily destroy any producve reacons where it is allowed to accumulate.
At present there is no known andote, so exposure to Administratum should be avoided if
at all possible.
However, within the UK accidental contact is highly possible. Infecon is not usually
detected unl a reacon has been seen – usually a red tape-like growth, quickly ge/ng
under the skin.
Following these inial signs, a number of other effects are likely to be experienced aEer a
short me. These can include a sudden and unwelcome slowing down of all funcons, a
probable rise in temperature (blood has been know to boil), feelings of impaence,
irraonal thoughts, and a desire to go back a previous life.
For those wishing to avoid the effects of Administratum, probably the best course of
acon is to go off to a remote desert island, or beer sll, go off for a blast in your Minari.
Don’t let the b****rs grind you down, folks!
Purloined from the Telegraph and added to by Bruce.
Thanks but it is too late I have been ground down.
DAS
Page 24

Children, they can be so perceptive.
Question: HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like
it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. Alan, age 10
No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it
all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with. Kirsten, age 10
Question: WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then. Camille,
age 10
No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married. Freddie, age 6 (Very
wise for his age)
Question: HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
Derrick, age 8
Question: WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON
Both don't want any more kids. Lori, age 8
Question: WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys
have something to say if you listen long enough. Lynnette, age 8 (Isn't she a treasure)
On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough
to go for a second date. Martin, age 10
Question: WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING
SOUR
I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure
they wrote about me in all the dead columns. Craig, age 9
Question: WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE
When they're rich. Pam, age 7
The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that. Curt, age 7
The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids
with them. It's the right thing to do. Howard, age 8
Question: IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED
I don't know which is better, but I'll tell you one thing. I'm never going to have s*x with my
wife. I don't want to be all grossed out. Theodore, age 8
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
Anita, age 9 (Bless you child)
Question: HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET
MARRIED
(Con#nued on page 26)
Page 25

We think we are good for building or running a kit car, the bike above was built
by a nuer in New Zealand and is a 48 cylinder 2 stroke based on many many
250 Kawasaki engines. I bet there is a dire lack of these in local breakers yards.
(Con#nued from page 25)
There wouldn't be a lot of kids to explain anything, would there Kelvin, age 8
"And the #1 Favourite is........"
HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK
Tell your wife that she looks pretty even if she looks like a truck. Ricky, age 10 (WHAT A
MAN)
Educaon is a wonderful
thing.
Page 26

Contacts/Helplines
Members who have volunteered to act as local contacts and to help others. So
please be considerate, treat them gently, but don’t struggle alone. The ‘answer’
may be just a phone call away! (So phone, then pop round for a look or a cupper!)
Make use of them, they volunteered so you could.
____________________
David Rutherford Jim Finney John Anthistle Bruce Marshall
102 Lady Byron Lane 56 Sycamore Drive Woodpeckers 5 Braefoot Grove
Knowle WYTHALL 73 Shepherds Way DALGETY BAY
Solihull B47 5QX Liphook, Hants Fife
B93 9BA Wk: 0121-411 3172 GU30 7HH KY11 9YS
01564 730182 Ho: 01564-824375 07774 643717 01383 822245
julie_john@lineone.net
Tony Hughes Mark Pollard Phil Walters Julian Corcoran
Coppice View Orchard End Birchfield Coage 8 South Road
5 Cloudbridge Drive Foxenhole Mill Urquehart Noage
SOLIHUL West Hill Road ELGIN Porthcawl
W. Midlands Oery St Mary Moray CF36 3DG
B92 0PY Devon IV30 3LR 01656 772435
0121 704 2114 EX11 1JT 01343 843128 Mob. 07976 206278
01404 815630
Unfinished project,
Alan Taylor Clive Snton Help Co-ordinator
43 Highgrove 114 Wearbay Road
Ravarnet Folkstone Keith Williams
LISBURN Kent 34 Sandacre Road
Co. Antrim CT19 6PL Nine Elms
N. IRELAND 07801 061014 SWINDON
BT27 5AX
Wiltshire
Hm02892 672692
SN5 5UA
Wk02890 568204 01793 882610
And of course;-
Yours truly
Dave Smith
See back page
keith.williams@aceous.com
Web site addresses.
www.minari-register.org.uk
Page 27

Aims of the Minari Owners Register
1. To provide members with a forum for exchanging information on
'Minari' matters.
2. To organise events for Minari owners (or potential owners) and
therefore enhance the social aspects of ownership.
3. To provide help and support to members during the build and use of
their cars.
NB. The ideas, tips and hints expressed (written or verbal), and any opinions expressed, in this NL, or as a result
of contacts made through the NL, are made in good faith. Each reader/member/owner is responsible for ensuring
the safety and legality of any modifications made, whether as a result of information in the NL or not.
Any reliance placed on articles in this NL is at the reader's own risk. Although the Register tries to ensure that
information printed is correct, the Minari Owners Register excludes any responsibility for any negligent statements.
The Register will not accept any responsibility for injury, loss or damage caused to anybody, however caused, as a
result of reading or following articles printed in this NL, or assistance offered by any Member/reader.
Don’t forget, if you have anything for sale, or which you want, the
Register web site has a For Sale / Wanted secHon.
Free, GraHs and for nothing. Design your own advert, and I will put it
on the site. Don’t forget to add a photo or three.
Keep them quite large so the car can sell itself.
Excuses for this NL for non compleon of
the project.
I got married, now have to ask
permission to leave better half's side!!
Adrian ‘under the thumb already’ Sco.
Register Secretary
D. A. Smith 020-8303-7110 (home)
59 Penhill Road
BEXLEY
Kent
DA5 3EP
www.minari-register.org.uk
e-mail da-smith@ntlworld.com
Page 28