Méan Sonora restorer Louis Lempereur got in touch for an update on his Mini powered and one-off Sonora and he certainly doesn't take half measures. He wrote: "Dear Jeroen, some updates about the reconstruction of the Méan Sonora Mini. First, thank you for having selected the Méan Mini for the 'Find of the Year' competition (I haven't - you, readers, have!). I was pleased to win it, also thanks from the friends of the Méan Group here and of many other supporters. It gives me much energy to go ahead with the reconstruction. This is more a reconstruction than a restoration! We use the old chassis as a mirror for the new one while most of the parts I dismount are in a bad shape and just a few can be restored, most of them will need replacement."
"The Mini subframe is just one of them, as it was damaged and badly repaired. It was probably so when the car was built back in 1969! We will now work on the suspension, bearings, brakes, steering… Hoping to mount the wheels and have a rolling chassis soon, but there will be much more to be done! As it was impossible to get the wheelbase from the Méan documents, we assembled the body to measure it. Surprise! The left hand door turned out to be 3cms longer than the right hand door and the front hood was mounted tilted! So we had to improvise again and decided to move the Mini subframe 2cms to the back. At least, the suspension is now straight. Another major change was to set the Mini subframe 35mm higher in the chassis. With shorter springs, this will allow the car to be lower on its wheels. The picture of the original car shows it was very high ! This was due to the subframe being too low, and the transmission axles touching it!"
"Of course, I will keep you informed. Thanks again for all, and for your interesting mails about Mini derivatives. Louis" It seems to me that the car couldn't have ended up in better hands and I look much forwards to seeing the car in the flesh. I say Blyton park 2016!
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
"The Mini subframe is just one of them, as it was damaged and badly repaired. It was probably so when the car was built back in 1969! We will now work on the suspension, bearings, brakes, steering… Hoping to mount the wheels and have a rolling chassis soon, but there will be much more to be done! As it was impossible to get the wheelbase from the Méan documents, we assembled the body to measure it. Surprise! The left hand door turned out to be 3cms longer than the right hand door and the front hood was mounted tilted! So we had to improvise again and decided to move the Mini subframe 2cms to the back. At least, the suspension is now straight. Another major change was to set the Mini subframe 35mm higher in the chassis. With shorter springs, this will allow the car to be lower on its wheels. The picture of the original car shows it was very high ! This was due to the subframe being too low, and the transmission axles touching it!"
"Of course, I will keep you informed. Thanks again for all, and for your interesting mails about Mini derivatives. Louis" It seems to me that the car couldn't have ended up in better hands and I look much forwards to seeing the car in the flesh. I say Blyton park 2016!
The chassis was in very bad shape and so it was decided to build a new one and keep the original
Picture courtesy Louis Lempereur
The subframe was mounted tilted and was twisted. Remember the donor Mini came from a scrapyard!
Picture courtesy Louis Lempereur
Just one among many surprises: the car came with three 5.5" and one 4.5" wheels!
Picture courtesy Louis Lempereur
To measure the wheelbase the body needed fitting. It turned out the left door was much longer
Picture courtesy Louis Lempereur
Relocated subframe and altered chassis means shorter springs, too...
Picture courtesy Louis Lempereur
...But then, the suspension is totally straight now!
Picture courtesy Louis Lempereur
The new chassis, made in a purpose-built jig looks very light - and strong
Picture courtesy Louis Lempereur
And here the central part of the chassis is now also finished. So far, so good...
Picture courtesy Louis Lempereur