Anyone fitted these Japanese dummy external Mk1/2 door hinges from MOS International to a later Mk3 onwards Mini with winding window doors? ($218.75 set reduced to $175 with 20% discount + approx. $30 shipping from Japan)
http://www.mosintl.com/dummy.php

 

Ha ha ha... nice

 

are they functional or stick-ons?

 

i think they are stick on....better get them on right the first time !!!

 

I think they are stick-ons / bolt-ons and non-functional, the ad says easy fix. I have heard about them before but never seen any on sale outside Japan before.

Many later Mini owners in the UK have been fitting functional genuine Mk1/2 external hinges since it was detailed in a Mini Magazine "How to" a while back but it involves quite a bit of welding and panel work so is only really practical during major bodywork / paint spraying projects.

 

you could try and fit external hinges to mk3-7 doors as shown in minimag or miniworld Jan 06...............

 

The main reason the younger Mini owners in the U.K. are fitting the external hinges on the Mk3 - 7 is to run classic "black" plates. If the police officer see external hinges on your Mini, they will not pull you over for having black plates.

I wonder what the hinges will look like on my 2003 Mini? lol

 

I've been trying to figure out a way to retrofit the Mk.1 hinges to a later-model car, but it would be tricky. Despite the high cost of these, I'd really like to give them a try. I personally LOVE the external hinge look...

 

Hi..ImagoX...I could find article in mag and copy it to you if you like...........

 

Please... I'm all about learning more stuff. If you do, post it so that everyone can see it. I use Photobucket - it's free!

Curious to se how they did it. I assume they removed the center pin and let the hinge "break" apart when the door swings open. Looked to me like the hinge pieces would have to be filed as well to let the halves come together without fouling... Should be interesting.

Thanks!

-Matt

 

No they removed internal hinges and reinforced mk3-7 door skin .....will try and find article this weekend................

 

The Mini Magazine method of fitting external hinges to a later Mini uses the genuine Mk1/2 hinges for real and discards the concealed hinges completely. This does however involve strengthening the doors behind the hinges and fitting the Mk1 'A' panel inner section complete with the angle bracket sections welded in behind for strength. Therefore, it is only really practical if you are removing the front wings and repainting that part of the car at the same time.
Many people have now done this mod in the UK but it does look good and the late door catch, etc all seems to work ok.

The beauty of the Japanese hinges is ease of fitting and no welding or paintwork has to be done. The original internal hinges are retained as the external hinges are only cosmetic. I would guess there is no hinge pin to allow for the slightly different 'swing' when open.

As well as most of the UK population, I also find most of the police now think all classic Minis are old cars and rarely notice the old black reg plates on the later cars or details like external hinges before 1970. (unless they are also a Mini enthusiast / anorak !)

 

If police in the UK are having trouble discerning a Mk.1 from a later-model car, then I don't think people in the US with re-VINned cars have much to fear...

 

I would think you are very right there ! There are many re-VINned late Minis in the UK as pre-1973 cars are exempted from our annual road tax as historic cars.
Sometimes when you have a keen interest or hobby it is easy to forget others do not see or notice too much about the details that seem obvious to an enthusiast............

Back on the dummy Hinge topic if you save & enlarge the photos in the ad the clearance gaps to allow opening seem quite large?

Some carbon fibre dummy hinges are soon to be launched in the UK so will wait to see them I think :-
http://www.the-arc-angels.co.uk/default.asp?PageNo=6
(scroll down page)

Mk1 Composite Door Hinges
New to our range our these fantastic door hinges, they give the external appearance of a mk1 to your mini and you simply remove the backing and stick them on, couldn`t be simpler!!

 

As a diehard Mk1 owner I feel flattered that eveyone is a wanna be... Now if you can add the small tailights,sliding windows....

 

Here is how to get the Mk1 tailights and sliding windows!

http://www.a-serious.com/forums/inde...tutorial&id=20

http://www.a-serious.com/forums/inde...tutorial&id=21

http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx?ty=pb&pid=35250

 

If you get the dummy hinges and put them on be sure to post your findings as to how easy or tough it was. And some pics please!

 

I second that!!!

 

These are very cool. I would second that somebody should try them and post their thoughts wih pics