The I.M.E. Recommended Library of Mini & Cooper Books and Workshop Manuals

These Books Provide a lot of the background information when answering posts to the minilist! Additional contributions are credited accordingly

Search for BOOKS by keywords: Choose A Search Mini David Vizard's Books Des Hammill's Books Lindsay Porter's Books Mini Cooper SU Carburettors Camshafts Brakes Engine Building Tools Fasteners Engine Tuning Monte Carlo

The Books you see below are a recommended selection based on personal experience, however the prolific nature of authors such as Des Hamill and others means we can't always keep up. To view their latest publications and/or get a general listing of Books Videos and DVDs about Mini related areas please use the search box to the left. Don't forget Goodbye Pork Pie the dynamic New Zealand Mini Movie, more car damage!

The "Bibles" first!.......

BUT.......

"Tuning BL's A-Series Engine" (reprint of 2nd Edition 1990)
by David Vizard
(ISBN 0 85429 732 4) but this time published by Haynes (see below)
REALLY IS THE ULTIMATE RESOURCE BOOK FOR THE 'A' SERIES
This book goes through the "why" and "therefore" of tuning the A Series, why head modifications work, all the buzz words you need for the pub meets and a vision of the greatest A Series engine of all time, READ THIS BOOK when you start designing your dream "lump" THEN ask around (the machinists, other people who have built their own engines) to find out what is needed. Vizard goes into the sort of mods you might only need for "knobs-out" racing BUT REMEMBER the book tells you what you CAN do not what you MUST!

BUY: Tuning the A-series Engine: The...

"How to blueprint & build a 4-cylinder Short Block for High-performance"(1997)
by Des Hamill

(ISBN 1 874105 85 5) Published by Veloce Publishing, Dorchester
IF YOU ARE BUILDING AN ENGINE- BUY THIS BOOK... it lets you know what might go wrong, what could go wrong and what WILL go wrong with your 140bhp 1380 fire breather if you don't follow the easily understood and VERY well illustrated tips to sucessful engine building, A-Series blocks are mentioned in passing but this book is really the Haynes of the Engine! A MUST FOR THE BEGINNER and the BUDDING GENIUS

Buy: How to Blueprint and Build a 4-cylinder...

IME user Recomendation!.. from ROBERT MACKNAY (rmc180<at>aol.com)- see below ;)

"High Speed, Low Cost: The Story of a 140MPH Mini Engined World Record Breaker and How to Build it"

Reviews

Book Description The 40th Year Anniversary of the Terrapin Racecar. This book is a compilation reprint of the 1969 & 1973 editions. Softbound with a new preface by Allan Staniforth & Publisher Robert Macknay. The book describes the construction of a single seater racing car that broke several world records in the 1960's & 1970's. Several of which still stand to this day.

From the Publisher

The original editions of this book are now so scarce that prices into 3 figures are now becoming common. During construction of my faithful copy of Allan's Terrapin MK1 racing car I have made many contacts and had numerous requests for a copy of the book. This has prompted me to collaborate with Allan to produce this reprint from my original copy ( which has unfortunately to be destroyed in the reprinting process). Additional information has been included from a later edition book provided by Allan.

Allan can also supply plans to anyone wishing to build a Terrapin, albeit that you may now wish to put a superbike engine in the rear these days.

ISBN: 0954514009

BUY...High Speed,Low Cost: The Story of a...

OR get a copy signed by the AUTHOR ( contact Robert direct!)

Now to Haynes Manuals ....

"Mini Owners Workshop Manual" ('69-'91 all models excl. Turbo)(1991)
(ISBN 85010 718 1) Published by Haynes Publishing Group
The essential background book for all routine mechanical work on your mini AN ESSENTIAL

Buy: Austin Mini ('69 to '95) (Haynes Owners...

"Austin Metro Owners Workshop Manual"
(1859601456) Published by Haynes Publishing Group

If you fit any Metro sourced parts (MG Metro or Metro Turbo Engines, brakes or other parts to your Mini you need this book for reference

Buy: Austin Metro Haynes (you may wish to search for other versions at Amazon after hitting this link)

"Automobile Electrical Manual" (1983)
(ISBN 1 85010 005 5 Softback 0 85696 818 8 Hardback) Published by Haynes Publishing Group
An ideal book to read if you are rewiring or "playing about" with the wiring of your Mini, it describes the principles of everything electrical on your 'Min AND helps you make sense of the loom diagrams in any other book!

Buy: Automobile Electrical Manual

"SU Carburettors Owners Workshop Manual" (3rd Edition 1984)
(ISBN 1 850 10 059 4) (US- 1 85010 018 7) Published by Haynes Publishing Group
An great book for carrying out your own servicing and rebuilding of your beloved SU carby, also check out the needle listings in the back!

Buy: SU Carburettors Owners Workshop Manual

"Automotive Brake Manual" (1995)
(ISBN 1 85960 202 9) Published by Haynes Publishing Group
Another excellent "Background" book covering everything to do with brakes, tools, problems BUT nothing specifically mini

Buy: The Haynes Automotive Brake Manual

Buy: The Haynes Automotive Disc Brake Manual

Similarly.......

"Automotive Tools Manual" (1995)
(ISBN 1 85960 203 7) Published by Haynes Publishing Group
This one helps you sort out your torque from your ratchet, a comprehensive guide to avoiding split knuckles

Buy: The Haynes Automotive Tools Manual...

Other Books worthy of consideration

"Race And Rally Car Source Book" by Allan Staniforth (3rd Edition 1992)
(ISBN 0 854429 848 7), Published by Haynes (see above)
if you want to know why your road tuned Mini would be run rings round on a race track.....read this book. It covers the development testing and tuning of thoroughbred race cars

Buy: Race and Rally Car Source Book: the...

"Mini Cooper & S" by Nigel Edwards (1997)
(ISBN 0 86288 180 3), Published by Greenwich Editions, London.
Lots of car specific histories and excellent photos for the repro fans

Buy: Mini Cooper & S...

"Essential Mini Cooper" by Anders Ditlev Clausager (1997)
(ISBN 1 870979 86 9), Published by Bay View Books, Devon.
Like Nigel Edwards book BUT far more technical info such as production figures, colour schemes and identification numbers

Buy: Essential: Mini-Cooper: The Cars and...

"Mini" by Mark Steward (1989)
(ISBN 0 85045 875 7), Published by Osprey Publishing, London.
Again a "lots of pictures but little text" book BUT it is a book which covers all aspacts of the Mini in terms of what has been done with the 1959 design through the years

Buy: Mini (Osprey Auto Colour Series)

"Mini- A celebration of the World's ultimate smallest car" by Graham Scott (1992)
(ISBN 0 600 57454 7), Published by Hamyln, London.
What a coffee table book, again lots of pictures but NOT a workshop manual!

Buy: Mini: A Celebration of the World's...