Mini Mania is proud to announce the “Awesome New Product” Idea Contest. The grand prize winner will receive a 25% off promo code! Two second place winners will receive 15% off promo codes. Deadline is October 15, 2008.
To submit your “Awesome New Product Idea”, simply comment on this post with your great idea. Products can be items Mini Mania doesn’t yet carry, or a completely new product that requires development. Be original! Be creative! Don’t wait too long or someone else may beat you to it!
Winners will be announced on this blog October 20th.
The contest is now closed. A big thanks to all who participated! Mini Mania decided to let everyone vote for their favorite idea! The results have been broken down loosely into groups (it’s a long list!), the top ideas in each group will go on to the final round of voting to determine first and second place winners. Here is a link to the poll.
I think you should bring back the original black and white cloth material that came in the 1959 and 1960 minis. This would be an awesome product.
Design and market new 10″ wheels. you could even do a “design new 10in wheels” contest. there wasnt much innovation in that category since the original minilite…
How about a do it yourself wood dash kit. Like the old
rokee style, but something you can taylor to RHD, LHD
or center binicle and finish with your own wood working skills and finishes.
5 speed transmission. MK2 Boot lids, MK1/2 Shells
Front plastic fenderliners. These cars desperately need them to prevent rot and they wouldn’t be as expensive as a lot of the other suggestions.
I’d also love to see a set of dash cards in a material that didn’t warp and sag for the standard center clock dash, maybe out of plastic? A grained black plastic would look just as good as a flimsy bit of card.
An all inclusive engine rebuild kit much like what you see for common V8 US engines and priced at a palatable point.
A cheap and bolt on front disk kit that would allow 10 in wheels.
There are no options other than the expensive ones or honda disk brakes.
What about a cheaper option for rear disk brakes?
How about some Original accessories repop’s, Like Speedwell, Les Leston centre gauge bezel, with a tach hole. Works items, Lucas Lights. if the don’t make them, do it yourself. Just get an idea of what people want.
Also MK2+ LED tail light update, you make the MK1, but the MK2+ should be easy to do, and with slight modification for the ones with reverse lights.
I’d like to see a complete kit for a hinged front (both standard & VTEC versions) including the brace bars, hinges, fiberglass body panels and everything else you would need to convert. The kit could also include HID headlights and LED turn signals. I’ve seen some custom ones made up where the whole front lifts up using gas struts to support it, rather than having it flip forward.
“stock” wheels. Not all of us like alloy rims. My steel rims work, but non rusty ones would be great.
A front “bra” for the new mini to make it look like a classic mini.
How about a fairly inexpensive universal mount driving/fog lamp
mount bar, or badge bar.
How about replica Mark 1 external hinges that would fasten to later model doors to help make the “retro” effect more complete?
How about a replica Innocenti Mini dash panel? This panel can only be found from salvaged units now. It would be so easy to vac-form a panel and sell them with customizable finishes. This would also make a good option from the current flat ones you always see out there.
Sliding windows for later model minis
Panels for under the rear seat and/or boot (RH side) to mount speakers and the bootboard to cover the spare tire.
A rear boot badge saying 1380
-Fully Non Lucas Wire harness, with non glass tube fuses.
-One piece Headliner kit (like new cars)
-How about a subframe kit for another motor like the Ecotec or Zetec.
-Power Steering assist. for slow speed cornering help!
-Affordable disk brake conversions for front and rear, using North American sourced components.
-Vinyl decal kits that replicate significant rally Mini’s from the past!
Oil drain ball valve tap.
Would replace the standard oil drain plug with a simple turn ball valve tap and short spout. The handle would lock into a notch on the valve and be spring loaded, so you would have to turn slightly and then lift up on the handle in order to turn it at the 90 degree angle to fully open it and drain the oil. This would prevent it from opening up accidentally.
With as often as a mini needs its oil changed, this would make oil changes much easier and faster. Simply turn handle to drain and close when done.
This was marketed several years ago for Spridgets by Victoria British and Moss motors, but haven’t seen it available for a long time.
How about a “just the nuts and bolts” kit.
Several different kits of different sizes of nuts and bots lock washers and washers for the mini.
I can’t tell you how hard it is to find imperial nut and bolts.
Some kits could be a 50 pack of common nuts and bolts of various sizes
Some kits could be smaller or larger counts of nuts and bolts.
You could also make a kit that 90% of what you need to put ever nut and bolt new a the car.
A roll down window conversion for doors with slider windows.
1. A enclosed Mini trailer.
2. Personalized boot badges.
3. A classic racing stickers set.
4. An A/C kit.
5. A wood roof rack
6. A complete built your own Mini kit. Like the Moke kit.
7. A mini hidraulic jack.
8. A Mini fire stinguisher
9. A 5 Speed gear box for the 1275
10. Classic Mini sunglasses.
11. Vented hood.
12. Classic mini ipod doc for the ash tray.
13. Ash tray compatible gadgets like: a GPS, a Mini cooper model that light up when you press the brake, or a Queen of England Hula Hula dancer.
1. A slider window conversion kit for cars with roll-up windows.
2. Replacement wheel centre caps for BL stock alloy wheels. (at a reasonable price) in a material that doesn’t dry up and crack like the stock plastic ones.
3. Cup holders that clip onto the lower dash rail (padded or not) without screws.
4. A Mini lift (like a motorcycle lift) that will lift a Mini up to a reasonable working height, say 20″ so we don’t have to muck with jacks and axle stands. It would include safety lock pins etc. High enough that working in the engine bay is easier on the back and getting under to fix exhausts etc. is feasible. Add locking casters to move the car about.
Some suggestions, excuse me if someone else has already said them, but I didn’t read the entire blog!
1, Bolt on AC system for a 1275cc engine. COMPLETE!
2, Supercharger for same engine.
3, Domestically produced interiors.
4, Underdash Component holder for Radio, Gauges, etc.
How about a US-sized rear license plate mounting panel that incorporates the standard number plate lamp and fits the standard swivel mounting brackets? I built one and it works pretty well.
SnowPlow !
Big Window sticker/sunshade that says “MINI” (like from the 70’s)
Skiis to bolt onto the front tyres (idea from the late 60’s)
I gotta say, I do really like the lift idea of Dans…..but still want my ideas considered 😉
I’d like to see some black plastic interior door pockets that have a bulge at the front end to hold a drink cup.
Something from the UK….
A PAS conversion.
I would really like to pimp my mini’s rims with spinners.
A conversion kit for the old fluid suspension using the new airbag technology. You can run them dry or wet. You could also change the stiffness whenever you wanted to, or lower it for shows or crusin.
P.S. I did this to my bugeye Sprite and it worked awesome. I triangulated the rear end and ran a sway bar front and rear with the air bags. It cornered fantastic.
How about a 4 wheel or rear wheel drive kit
Metal window latches for sliding window models
I love customizing my mini so here some of my ideas:
1.Safari windows (front and back) like the VW Bus. For the front design something like a split windows safari style.
2. Billet alloy grill.
3. An inexpensive cooper s fuel tank (right side).
4. Air bags as a replacement for the old hydrolastic.
If there is one thing I feel my mini needs whuch I have not yet found available anywhere, it would have to be a kit for electric opening quarter lights (the side rear windows for anyone that is unsure of what these are)
I have thought of designing and producing this myself in the past and have a few ideas for this already.
Having rear windows that could be opened by a lone driver without having to pull over and stop would be a total novelty for the mini. All it needs is a regular electric window button that can control both window at once and a system that can maybeclip on to the existing window latch to make it easy for the average DIY’er to fit themselves.
I really would like
1 – A cabrio soft roof kit. Including Instructions saying where to cut, what to reinforce, frame and canvas.
2 – Mini parts that fits without modification… Genuine mirrors do not fit even if they are Genuine
3 – Good Gasket Kits… Those engines where leeking when they where new at the dealer.
4 – Electronic speedo sensor (hall effect) to instsall electronic gauges (Autometer, Classic Instruments).
You should bring back the windshield visor that used to be on the 60’s mini’s that makes them look like the Mini is wearing a hat.
1. Total electric motor conversion kit
[…] Mini Mania is proud to announce the “Awesome New Product” Idea Contest. The grand prize winner will receive a 25% off promo code! Two second place winners will receive 15% off promo codes. Deadline is October 15, 2008. Submit Your Awesome New Product Idea Now! […]
Several good ideas already…mine:
An “Easy in/Easy out” extra rad to end overheating issues for those driving in hot weather and fussing about overheating every year.
(of course, I’ve already designed and use one – single bolt, two hose connections – easy peasy)
I thnk someone should design 16″ wheels and tyres (or bigger) to fit under standars mini guards and inside standard rear suspension arms. The tyres would need to be narrow and very low profile.
Extended front guards and bonnet to suit clubman front end as I need an extra 100-150mm (4-6″) to fit in the Lexus 4.0 litre v8.
How about the different corner and nudge bars that you can find in Europe but not in North America?
How about an electronic sunroof or sale and install electronic windows.
other ideas I really liked.
1. Airbag conversion!!!
2. Billet grille
3. electric speedo sensor (gm or honda style for aftermarket gauges)
My ideas
1. Custom 13″ wheels.
maybe a white 6 spoke one piece (Volk style) When I was into miatas, a group got together and had some customs rims made that were wider, lighter and the correct offset to allow huge autox tires to fit without mods to car. That would be awesome and I would be in for sure.
2. A GP style spoiler for the classics.
3. some decent fiberglass sidskirts that match the factory lines
I’d like to see a Subaru WRX all wheel drive convertion kit.
I would love to get my hands on a full metal Pickup Truck Shell.
Packages for different period looks ie: a works rally package that would include all of the gear, light bar, dash, gauges, etc.. to make your car look like a works rally car.
Rose petal wheels!
One more that I thought of – how about a set of more modern featured seats (recliners/support/head rests) that still look “vintage”, but would bolt right into the car in place of the original seats and still allow you to adjust the seats forward/backwards.
Here’s one that should be marketable, effective, and unique. Something I considered making when I was in the business but did not have the resources. The product application would be new MINI front suspension. Consider the E36 M3 front lower control arm bushings – they are solid rubber and are available in both standard and offset/increased caster versions. These would be an increase in durability, performance, and still maintain excellent NVH properties for street driven and occasionally tracked vehicles. You can keep your 25% coupon, but I’ll take a set of bushings! 🙂
How about a dual padded jacking arm that fits in your hydralic jack saddle. It has adjustable spacing to support both sides of either the rear or front subframes when jacking the car. No more uneven one sided lifting with your floor jack. Securily lift both sides of the subframe at one time.
Little heater lever control knob (plastic piece) for the MK I mini.
Fuel sender unit for the early MK I mini with the 6 or 8 screws that hold it to the tank.
I would like to see a bolt on turbo or supercharger kit for all of the motors even ones with diffrent carbs. I have plans for my mini to turbo it because i like the nastalgia factor of the factory motor but i need more power. I plan to build my own but if there was another option i would take it. Also i have talked to Air-ride tech about building a air bag kit for the mini but I did not get a good response about it. So if you to want an air bag kit call them and ask when they are going to make one. I like the idea of a vetec swap but a MINI swap would be better, i mean a new BMW Cooper or Cooper S motor. I would take a BMW cooper motor over a honda because everyone has hondas, we own classic minis for reason dont we. Also a rear swing arm that you could put a 205/60r13 tire on, that tire fits on the front with a slight bumper and fender mod but it will not fit on the rear. Another is a full aluminum or carbon fiber dash, not just a little insert a full dash(for factory gauges or not). How about a carbol fiber hood, and even front clip.
And a full bolt or weld in cage that you can still have the back seat.
Marc
How about more carbon fiber or aluminum body parts, like door skins … etc.
marc
How about a LH gas tank that is modified for Fuel Injection with pump and return line?
For Honda ect. conversions
My idea is this. Rather than having to pull the hub assemblies to grease and put in new bearings, drill and tap a hole into the side where the bearings are, and apply a grease nipple, that way at every oil change, or whenever someone desires, they can grease their wheel bearings. This would work great on a hub kit, where it includes the new bearings, drive flanges, etc… such as the disk brake conversion. Maybe as an extra addition to afore mentioned kits???
Another is for Mini mania to carry Tar-Ox brake kits. 6 pot calipers and discs, road or race use that have dust seals, and are therefore maintenance(mostly) free? Great idea!
-James Lyon
You should look into becoming a registered importer. I am stationed overseas and there is a HUGE interest in bringing the 90s minis back to the states. If it is possible and you could do it you would have a constant flow of people interested in bringing these minis back to the states!
I would really appreciate it if someone designed either a leak proof gas cap or a new gas tank or something that would fit in the gas tank neck with a little flapper like modern gas tanks that would keep gas from back splashing and spilling down the 1/4 panel eveytime you go around a corner.
1. A complete electric motor conversion kit and instructions.
2. I have beginner to intermediate mechanical skills, but I’m new to the world of minis. I have owned mine for about 5-6 months. I would be willing to pay a few bucks to watch an instructional video on how to perform repairs, upgrades, etc. they could be as simple as changing the oil to doing a vtec conversion. With technology, internet, youtube, flash player, etc. it would be very easy to create and sell instructional videos. They could be broken down in to categories and individual tasks. You could charge different prices depending on the difficulty and length of the task, etc.
thanks!
How about a tamper-free petrol cap. Lots of people are having their fuel nicked and a fuel cap or product that could be inserted to prevent siphoning would be great.
10″ wheels that fit over discs but dont need extra arches that will allow 165 tyres.
Currently the only choices are cooper s steel,rostyle or minilight.
I also second the idea of a electric motor conversion. Maybe something that will bolt onto the mini box??
A seatbelt anchor point’s height regulator, to adjust the seatbelt height higher or lower depending on your height as in most new cars…
Not sure if someone makes this already, but a bonnet with a hood scoop would be sweet! It should be a real working hood scoop with a cold air intake tunnel that travels down to the K&N air filter kit!
this has been an idea of mine for a few years….
how about a bumber sticker or a shirt that says…
“classic mini owners keep their cars on the road, one-quarter turn at a time”
then a picture of a very small wrench….
a conversion kit to put a motorcycle motor into a mini.
carbon fiber body parts
How about a kit to remap the chip and otherwise improve the performance of a MPI twin-point Mini? I’ve been waiting for this one for a while, and no sign of it yet. Other EFI cars have these; is there any chance for the MPI Mini?
Jim Rosenthal
addition to the electic motor conversion kit idea… I would create one based on the vtec subframe and suspension kit, then you could run the electic motor off of a honda transmission and a better suspension system!
How about an electric push button starter for both the vtec and standard mini engines.
Also, for those like me who has their mini park for a long period of time having to disconnect the battery, a kill switch kit.
I have one in my mini that not only save the battery, it also prevent theft cause my car won’t start unless you know where the kill switch is.
Adapter kits for crankshaft, clutch cover and trans front plate to install other brand modern small engines on Classic Mini transmission, such as were once available for Ford 1600 Kent engine. – Bolt in a Vtec, Suzuki, Nissan, Toyota, diesel or whatever right in without major rework to the classic Mini.
The Morspeed 16V BMW head conversion kit.
A reasonably priced Electronic Fuel Injection with the Canems ECM.
The Mini Sport seven port head.
Well,,, here`s food for thought
how about an alloy 5 main bearing engine block of approx 1600cc , with steel 5 main crank & a set of very strong, long con rods, as a total package that bolts up to a std mini gearbox pattern, but also allows the “bolt-up” fittment of the late “K” series BMW 16v motorbike cyl head
🙂
Am i just nuts???… or do you really have enough time & money fo that Don???
🙂
How about a motorcycle motor subframe for the front end. Instead of a Vtec swap, why not a Hayabusa swap and keep your rear seats! Bike motors are small enough for under the bonnet, and all it would take is a way to make the bike motor adapt to a trans so the wheels can turn.
I likes it!
Lengths of SXL hookup wire in any of the 14 colors with any of the 14 tracers, in the typical gauge.
A more modern, bolt-on gearbox that doesn’t use the engine oil. Bolt on an oil pan where the gearbox was. Bolt on the gearbox to the back end of the engine and have it wrap around to where the differential currently is.
Or perhaps a modern version of the Orange Crate engine, turn the whole thing around and put engine management on it.
Cloth with Mini design available by the yard so we can make our own shirts.
See this MM link for some great artwork that would be perfect for shirts.
http://www.minimania.com/web/threadid/94650/msgthread.cfm
I’ve purchased Day of the Dead cloth and had a scrub made for my wife. There are a dozen or so styles/designs I’ve seen. Pricey, however. But feel they’re just squeezing the market.
Probably have to outsource to some country outside U.S.
The Italian Job light bar and other stuff, sticker sets.. to make mini look like the ones from the movie
I have responses to all the idea’s represented. Just ask me. I can do almost all of them, I would like you to supply all the hard to find items here, that are easy to find abroad.
I enjoy the mini instructional videos on youtube from miniaddicts. I would like to see my ideas used, I am able to redo speedos, and the use of new lighting in the gauges to get rid of the yellow lighting. Also using a updated fuse box with relays.
I would be more interested in a poll to see what vintage accessories people would be interested in. Les Leston, Downton, Alexander… copies or replica’s.
Hey….
How about the re-manf of “early” missing link, Old School hard to find items that are NLA.
Stuff like;
…fluted, painted “OEM” seam covers, rubber floor covering for van, pickup, and Moke (mat)…….early Lucas items, P/U tail lens (mk1) correct plug wires with Lucas logo… rose petal wheels… items that fit…would be nice.
I know I posted before, but another one occurred to me. With the relative want for bike motored minis, offer a conversion kit to change the front subframe to one that would hold a motor bike motor(hayabusa?) that bolts to the original subframe mounts, and instead of the drive shafts of the current mini, a solid beam axle with a built in sprocket(bikes are chain driven after all). All one would need to do is look at the modern freefloating axles on trucks and some minivans to figure this out. The subframe would need some fettling and engineering to figure out, but quite doable, and probably no more expensive than a vtec conversion, possibly cheaper…
How about a shell that looks like a Mini, is a bit wider and longer, has larger wheel arches, maybe tilt the windscreen back a bit and customize the front end a little to provide better aerodynamics and crash resistance etc. Provide subframe and suspension upgrades with options for Honda engines, motorcycle engines, or even larger more powerful motors including turbo- and super-charged engines and 5 or 6 speed transmissions.
That way all the guys who want to put bigger powerplants in their cars will have an easier time of it.
Oh, wait… nevermind…. BMW hs already done it.
I like the idea convertion kits for different engines. How about an adapter kit for a front wheel drive rotory motor?
A rear view mirror that is self dimming and has a temperature gauge and compass in it. Much like the Chevy Tahoe and other new vehicles.
A good cup holder.
An auxiliary power outlet that is easy to install.
Heater By-Pass Valve.
The standard Mini heater valve just cuts off the flow from the back of the head through the heater and (if installed) a heated inlet manifold. The problem is that when closed, it cuts off flow from the back of the head completely, but when open feeds both the heater and manifold.
Produce a replacement valve that directs the flow from the head either through the heater matrix or directly back to the bottom rad hose connection.
It could be CNC machined with the standard flange plus 3 hose ports instead of one. The first port would go to the heater, the second one to the intake manifold and the third one would be the return from the heater.
It would function exactly like the valve on a brass musical instrument, with the addition of a fully-off position. Partial setting could allow flow to both channels. The physical shape could be a piston valve, like a trumpet, or a rotary valve, like on a French horn.
It could be installed in an assortment of ways:
– select heater or manifold (parallel), which would allow better engine warm-ups, then better cabin heat once the motor is warmed up.
– select by-pass or heater+manifold in series (conventional)
– select auxiliary rad or heater+manifold for warmer climate areas.
(Stamp MOFFET on it instead of MOWOG!)
1. Suspension lift kit and bigger tires for the mini pickup.
2. diesel TDI engine kit conversion based on vtec suspension platform.
3. Nice clock/date/time/outside temp gauge to replace the ashtray in the middle of the dash for nonsmokers.
The Elder eight port head, ready to install.
Exhaust manifold for above.
Optional carburetors calibrated for above.
Optional electronic fuel injection for above.
Coordination with a custom paint supplier for authentic BMC/BL/Rover paint colors.
So who won?
New ( as in NEW) Cooper S hydro bags.
thanks for information….
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. 🙂 Cheers! Sandra. R.