OK. let's start a new thread here... Someone posts a question, then monitors the thread for the correct answer, then someone else posts another question and so on.

First question: What is the real reason the original Mini had the speedometer in the center?

 

From MINIUSA.com

"Dominated by the large speedometer, which returns to its original central position, the dashbnoard on the right is fairly representative of that in the production car. The left-hand sketch shows an alternaitve instrument layout, with the speedometer and rev-counter together. But besides being so very distinctive, the central speedo gives the dashboard a more balanced, symmetrical look."

 

it also mentions that is where it was placed when Mini won the Monte Carlo. for co-pilots to navigate easier.

 

I believe the true reason is manufacturing. Dashboard does not need to be rehauled to switch left to right steering weel. Since it's a British car popular outside of Britan, they have to produce many cars with different side steering on the same production line. Less parts, less hussle.

 

Though putting the speed-o in the center did reduce costs associated with producing separate parts for right and left hand drive cars, this was not the original reason the speed-o was located in the center on the original classic design.

Keep up the good guesses.

_________________
[img]/albums/album04/gov.jpg[/img]
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Visit Vince's MINI page

 

Did it have something to do with the bus-like angle of the steering wheel in the original Mini? The angle of the wheel was to shallow to put gauges behind it?

 

Intersting idea, but nope, the angle/closeness of the stearing wheel is not the reason.

 

Good question...

They put the Speedo in the middle because they wanted to be different...also, at the time, speed did not matter as there was no real way to gauge it...so they put it in the middle to save space and so that you could show off to your friends how fass those little cars can go.

L

 

The answer is . . . . .

During manufature of the original mini. The car was spun on a giant barbeque spit while it was painted. This involved cutting a hole in the center of the dash. The hole was filled in with the speedometer.

 

mmmm...bbq mini

 

>>The answer is . . . . .
>>
>>During manufature of the original mini. The car was spun on a giant barbeque spit while it was painted. This involved cutting a hole in the center of the dash. The hole was filled in with the speedometer.
>>

That's right. Congrats!
During the painting of the shell, a rod would be inserted straight through the car. This allowed the shell to be spun round so both the top and bottom could be easily painted.

_________________
[img]/albums/album04/gov.jpg[/img]
Alta pulley, Stebro exhaust, Pipercross intake, progress rear anti-sway bar.
Visit Vince's MINI page

 

Next question,

The door pockets in the original mini were designed to hold a specific beverage.
What was it?

 

Beer.

 

For bottles of gin and vodka, there was a specific number of bottles that would fit, right?

_________________
[img]/albums/album04/gov.jpg[/img]
Alta pulley, Stebro exhaust, Pipercross intake, progress rear anti-sway bar.
Visit Vince's MINI page

 

Gin is right!

Now . . .what brand?

 

I'd have to guess Beefeater.

 

Ok here's another question...

In 1971, what was the reason Mini dropped the Cooper name and started calling the performance model the 1275GT?

 

>>Ok here's another question...
>>
>>In 1971, what was the reason Mini dropped the Cooper name and started calling the performance model the 1275GT?

Because British Leyland didn't want to pay John Cooper a royalty on each Mini sold for using his name any more!

the 1275GT was actually introduced in '69, I believe, but because the Cooper name was such a selling point, they continued to use the name until '71.

 

Wrong, the reason was in hopes to reduce the high insurance rates of the Cooper.