Why do you think Toyota did not include the hood insulation on model 1 cars? Do you think it really matters if you have it or don't?
When I lived in the UK, one of my many cars over the years was a Mini van, no, not the dreadful kid-carrying truckettes driven by soccer-moms seen cluttering up many highways on Saturday mornings on this side of The Pond, but mine was the "van" version of the Morris Mini, and I had lined the inside of the hood, and the roof, side-panels and doors with carpet-underlay. It reduced resonance and noise, and my passengers were amazed as to just how quiet my car was, far quieter than many so-called "luxury" cars!!! DROID4 ?
I too started my driving life with Mini vans in the early 60's Cutting out the rear floor to provide passenger space legroom. The 12 volt standard lead acid battery was fastened on the floor behind the drivers seat. I also used carpet underlay to reduce noise and help reduce heat loss in the winter. The biggest noise reduction came by removing the radiator from the side of the engine to the front gill and fitting an electric fan, and removing the fourteen blade pressed steel fan from the water pump. This also improved performance as the cooling fan used up to 4 BHP to drive it. John (Britprius)
Electric fan sounds a Mega-Brill Idea, I wish I'd thought of that! The previous owner of my Mini had fitted a "Minnow" carburetor (subsidiary of "Fish" carburetors - anyone ever heard of them, I wonder?) Worked like a charm and even had a heater to help prevent carb icing!
Straying off the subject somewhat from memory I think they were called Reece Fish and they had a glass sided float chamber that could be turned to allow for side draft or down draft operation. John (Britprius).
