The Mirov 2: A builder's story...

Brian Thompson, author and builder of the Mirov 2.

It's not every day I get to share the story of a one-off car build directly from its builder, but today is the day! What we have here is the story of how the "Mirov 2", a fictitious Russian sportscar created for an 80's television ad by the investment firm Norwich Union, went from a mock-up to a fully functional car. 

I'll let builder, author, and RCC Group member Brian Thompson tell the story in his own words below...

"One of my favourite Mirov photos with everything open." - Brian Thompson, Builder

Mirov 2

The Mirov first came to my attention in the late 1980’s when it appeared in a TV ad for the Norwich Union Investment company. Two mock-up cars had been made for the ad by movie production designer Jon Bunker. Build time for the two cars was two weeks!

Fast forward several months and I saw a Mirov for real at the Royal Norfolk Show on the Norwich Union stand. I looked over the mock-up, even underneath, and decided it would make a great project.

I worked at Norwich Airport at the time and one day a Mirov turned up on the back of a truck for a photo shoot. The opportunity was taken to further examine the car. Shortly after this one of the cars was put up for auction, so I wrote to NU to ask about the other one. I ended up buying it with a sealed bid, which beat the other person’s bid by a fraction.

Incidentally, that other person now owns the other mock-up Mirov and we keep in touch. His has not been made road legal yet though.

When I started the Mirov build I honestly thought it would take me three years to complete. It took nine! The UVA M6GTR body has been cut about so much there was a lot to correct and make safe. Substantial alterations had to be carried out just to house the headlights!

The Renault V6 was chosen because it was shorter than a V8 so would fit in the engine bay a lot better. A complete Renault 30TS was bought as a donor because it was front wheel drive and the whole engine/transaxle unit could be pressed into service in a mid configuration.

Throughout the build I aimed for production car levels of fit and finish. The interior is trimmed with second hand leather offcuts that cost £30, the contact adhesive that holds it together cost £60!
The only two jobs not tackled by myself were the welding of the aluminum fuel tanks, done by a work mate, and the paint, done by professionals.

The Mirov is great to drive. I love driving it. Reaction from other drivers is usually positive. People hang out of cars filming it on their phones! It has been on the road for 17 years now and apart from a few small cracks here and there the paint is still good.

A few years ago I stumbled on Jon Bunker’s website listing all his movie production designer achievements. I contacted him and we ended up meeting at a classic car show at Knebworth where he examined the Mirov and gave me his original drawings for the project, which will be framed and put in pride of place

- Brian Thompson

A huge thank you to Brian for providing text and pictures! 

What follows here are more pictures of the build process and the finished vehicle, with additional notes from Brian Thompson.

The Mirov 2 rolling mock-up, just before it was unloaded at Brian's home.

"The 2.7 litre V6 in the donor Renault 30. Notice how the whole
engine sits in front of the axle line." - Brian Thompson

"Here the rear screen has been removed to reveal how much wood is holding the mock-up together." - Brian Thompson

"One of the first major steps when the rear clamshell was opened for the first time." - Brian Thompson

"The hinges were made and fitted before the body was cut to form the rear clamshell." - Brian Thompson

"Looking forward shows how little structure there is. No bulkheads etc.
Here a fuel tank and wooden mock-up are being trial fitted." - Brian Thompson

"The center tunnel being formed." - Brian Thompson

"With the body made strong enough it was lifted off for the first time.
The chassis is not strong enough on its own.
When bolted to the center body tub the two make a very rigid unit." - Brian Thompson

"The center body tub upside down for reinforcement work." - Brian Thompson

"The door molds were constructed in the apertures using hardboard." - Brian Thompson

"The lower part of the window surround is added." - Brian Thompson

"A door out of the mold and trimmed to size." - Brian Thompson

"A later addition. Three aluminum air scoops under the car to feed the mid mounted radiator. Note the four inch brush extension on the rear scoop." - Brian Thompson

"Awaiting collection for paint." - Brian Thompson

"Finished in Graphic Red." - Brian Thompson

Note the "Mirov 2" Cyrillic script embossed in the rear fascia.

The Mirov 2, front 3/4 view

At Stoneleigh, 2009

At Stoneleigh, 2009

Mirov 2, in all its fully completed glory!

The book "How to build your own Supercar", by Brian Thompson,
featuring the entire build story of the Mirov 2.
  
Currently available on Amazon as an e-book.