I have an SCCA GT Light car in my garage right now for some dialing in.... I have a set of 4 of these 13" diamond wheels with RAIN tires, and an extra 2 with Hoosier slicks, so 6 wheels in all available if you or anyone else need some!  Car came with 3 full sets of tires and wheels, and the new owner doesn't plan to play in the rain!  Contact me if interested!

Yes this thing is VERY heavy to steer! There are extensions welded to the steering arms to reduce the ratio and limit the turning radius to avoid body contact... race cars don't need to make u-turns!  This one has a very stout LSD also, in fact on his first lap in the car, he went wide off the track!

Chevrolet HHR has an electric power steering set up, the Pontiac's Saturns and Cobalts may have the same unit.

I'll do that, Michael.  But this is going to be a long-term project.  There's a place in England that does this conversion using the Vauxhall Corsa EPAS system.  But, obviously, I'm not going to find a Vauxhall Corsa in any junkyard here in Shreveport, LA!!!  So, I'm going to have to scout around and see if I can find something, American or import, that's small enough to meet my needs.  We've had a really wet late winter/early spring here so I'm going to have to wait for awhile before I go junkyard diving.  I don't want to sink up to my ankles in mud!!!

Good question, Steve.  According to the latest report from my alignment shop, I'm running 1.5 degrees positive caster along with 1.5 degrees negative camber and a little bit of toe out.  

John: I'm exploring the possibility of electric assisted steering as well—if only to enable me to release my death-grip on the steering wheel and hold my latte w/o spilling it. Please keep us posted on your project.

John Lee now that we have found you a steering shaft, can I ask how much caster you are running and do you feel you need that much. Reduce it and lighten steering. Steve (CTR)

I have a column and shaft (no pinch bolt) probably mk4 for $20 plus shipping.  I can email a pic . My email is in my profile.

Don V

Good morning Red, what is it they say? Big girl big kitty little girl all kitty. I loved that car and all the girls I knew before. Thinking about building another auto cross car just for the fun of it. I recently found a NOS set of JKD dog gears for standing start. 2.21 first gear. I'd sell them but there isn't much interest. Steve (CTR)

Wow, that's a big girl!

Back in the day I ran 7X13 Revs with Hoosier slicks on my auto cross mini. I also built a set of 11 inch front disc with four pot Wilwood calipers. At 911 lbs I had my girl friend push while I steered in the paddock. Steve (CTR)

PS can't help with the shaft, good luck.

I'm looking for a used inner steering column shaft that won't cost me an arm and a leg.  I'm toying with the idea of converting my '65 AutoX Mini to Electric Power Assisted Steering and I need a shaft that I can chop up.  It just needs to have good upper and lower splines and a good lower pinch bolt.

So...why would I ever want to put power steering on a Mini?  I'm thinking about doing this so that it's easier to maneuver around the paddock and grid at our AutoX events.  Steering isn't a problem when I'm at speed on the course but it can be a real handful when I'm trying to maneuver around at slow speed and in tight quarters with these big, wide, sticky slicks on all four corners -- especially on hot northwest Louisiana summer days.  (I'm running 20.5x7-13 Hoosier R35 slicks on 13x6 Diamond Racing wheels)

Lemme know if you've got one and how much you want for it

John