It’s been two months since we’ve last heard from Bad Obsession Motorsport. The duo are busy with other cars, racing, and life, but that doesn’t mean they’re not thinking about their beloved Project Binky. That would be the classic Mini body set atop a GT-Four Celica chassis. If you haven’t been following along, you need to go back and take a deep dive into this build. This is Episode 19, and it focuses on the electrical bits.
One of the most amazing parts you’ll see in this episode is the fully splayed wiring loom. It’s been connected to the various parts it controls and then wired up to a battery so that every connection can be tested. And, as you’d expect from Bad Obsession, it all works.
The hard part here, however, lies in the fitting of all this wiring into the car. It’s not a large car yet that’s a rather large mass of wiring. Still, if you’ve seen past episodes you know these two are more than up to the task of making it work.
There’s still a ton of work ahead of this dynamic duo. And we’ll still be hearing patiently waiting for more updates. For now, we’re happy to see a Project Binky update.
Project Binky and Bad Obsession Motorsport return with a major electrical update
By Jeff Glucker
Oct 2, 2018
By Jeff Glucker
Jeff Glucker is the co-founder and Executive Editor of Hooniverse.com. He’s often seen getting passed as he hustles a 1991 Mitsubishi Montero up the 405 Freeway. IG: @HooniverseJeff
I just watched the previous episode too, where they fitted the wiper system from a 1980s Peugeot because the original was too feeble – a valid criticism of 1950s wipers!
But I think it was 15 hours work to make the bracket that held the motor – just insane! Then cutting and pressing brackets, and welding them to the floor to hold the cable ties that hold the battery cable. Admirable in the sense of chasing perfection, but I think a bit more application the 80-20 principle – 80% of the result for 20% of the work. No wonder it is taking 4 years.
I have seen a similar project concept, a guy in Adelaide who took a basic Ford Falcon station wagon, added the front suspension and AWD driveline from a Territory SUV, the raised rear suspension and diff locker from a Falcon RTV ute, and got it all working as per factory including stability control – with a combination of parameters that didn’t exist from the factory. The system is smart enough that it picked up that something was wrong (wheelbase difference) and threw a warning light.
Then he added all the toys – paddle shifters, auto mirrors/wipers/lights, LPG injection, complete interior upgrade, custom bullbar and rear swingaway jerry can holder, audio/phone/radio upgrades. I can’t remember it all!
The objective isn’t to finish this car, it’s to keep making videos and keep getting Patreon support. I’m not saying that to be cynical, I’m just pointing out that finding ways to a) wow people with your fabrication, and b) lengthen the process, works to their advantage. So more complex is better than simpler.
I think it also goes to point out how projects inevitably move from the heavy lifting and high-concept mating of major components to the weedy slog through all the minutia that still needs to be worked out to make the thing work, but nobody ever thinks too deeply about when they’re taking up the project.
You have a point, I normally stop the video when they get to the end, but one of these last two I had stepped away from the computer and heard it still going, came back to see pages of Patreon names.
The last 10% takes half the time, isn’t it?
And the last 1% takes a quarter.
As a guy I know who’s building a homebuilt airplane put it, “It’s 90% complete, with 90% still to go.”
The ideal project compels irresistibly and irrationally. One needs indulgent patrons to pull it off in the real world. With a neglected car in the garage along with a job and a family, watching this stuff is enough to drive a man insane.
These guys are rare in this space, in that they actually present loads of new ideas and solutions I haven’t heard of before. I learn a lot from these guys.