29 replies to this topic

[Matthew_23]

Can't get any photo's atm because its in a garage a bit away but I've been told the shell has not been changed so its the original!

[AVV IT]

Is that the original shell? It looks a bit late for an H reg?

Also from the "before" pictures it seemed to used to have black bumpers, a black boot housing light, black boot and door handle set and special arches too, it also looks like it was on 12" steelies and had a padded top dash rail!! Correct me if I'm wrong, but none of these would have been standard on a 1970 model would they?? I guess they are all items that could have been added to an earlier model at a later stage, but along with that yellow colour scheme it certainly used to look an awful lot like an 80's city before it was restored!!

If I were you I'd be a bit concerned that someone hadn't assigned a tax exempt 1970 identity to a later model before it was restored and before you owned it! I certainly hope that's not the case for your sake, but I'd strongly advise you get it confirmed before you go and advertise it anywhere, the last thing you want to do is find yourself being accused of trying to pass off a "ringer" onto someone!!

Edited by AVV IT, 01 July 2011 - 01:31 PM.

[Matthew_23]

Is that the original shell? It looks a bit late for an H reg?

Also from the "before" pictures it seemed to used to have black bumpers, a black boot housing light, black boot and door handle set and special arches too, it also looks like it was on 12" steelies and had a padded top dash rail!! Correct me if I'm wrong, but none of these would have been standard on a 1970 model would they?? I guess they are all items that could have been added to an earlier model at a later stage, but along with that yellow colour scheme it certainly used to look an awful lot like an 80's city before it was restored!!

If I were you I'd be a bit concerned that someone hadn't assigned a tax exempt 1970 identity to a later model before it was restored and before you owned it! I certainly hope that's not the case for your sake, but I'd strongly advise you get it confirmed before you go and advertise it anywhere, the last thing you want to do is find yourself being accused of trying to pass off a "ringer" onto someone!!

I hope not myself! I'm only going on what ive been told but to be honest you probably know a lot more about minis than I do. How would I find out what year it is exactly then? If someone lives in the Swansea area and can help then I would appreciate it a lot!

[AVV IT]

How would I find out what year it is exactly then?

I'd contact your local mini owners club, explain that you have a tax exempt mini and ask if someone in the club would be able to have a look at it and verify that it is actually a 1970 model. But before that, take some more pictures like the ones shifty suggested and post them up here, some pics of the engine bay and the interior would also be helpful.

A few other clues might be... Is there a metal ashtray in the middle of the floor in the back just behind the front seats? Does it have a large centre binnacle speedo in the middle of the dash or small clocks behind the steering column in front of the driver? Does it have 8.4 " brake discs on the front or are they drums?? Is the top dash rail inside the car below the windscreen body coloured metal with a chrome ashtray in the middle, or made of padded vinyl with a plastic spinning ashtray in the middle? Also where is the windscreen washer bottle/reservoir, at the back of the engine bay on the bulk head or on the drivers side inner wing?

Oh and check the engine & VIN number details against those on the V5/logbook, whilst they would probably match on a ringer any way, it's not unheard of for a cars identity to be swapped, simply by changing the number plate over!

EDIT: Just a thought... would a 1970 model also have non opening rear windows (like in the "before" pics) I always thought that they were a later addition put in on budget models for cost saving purposes?

Edited by AVV IT, 01 July 2011 - 04:10 PM.

[Timtom]

My 81 had opening windows..

[Matthew_23]

Got some more photo's as it was a nice day! Hope theses help more.....Had a look at the rear windows and they do open!

[Matthew_23]

Can anybody comment on the new photo's i've uploaded. Any help would be great!

[Boycie]

It's not the original shell for the year, going by the photos of before the re-paint, I'd say it originates from around 1977/8. It's not as late as 1988 though, due to where the heater hoses pass through the bulkhead.

Someones done plenty of fiddling with it- the chassis number has been incorrectly stamped. They've done 'YA2S1' - it should be X-A2S1 which signifies a Mini 850 built between 1969-1974

It's probably best to value it as a 'bitza' unfortunatley- 1970 mk3s are easily spotted by collectors as the shells do have a number of differences compared to the 1976 (mk4) onwards cars.

I suppose the floors/ gearbox/ brake setup/ drip rails/ pedals/ bulkhead/ rocker switches/ washer bottle position/ fuse box/ wiring/ radiator cowling etc etc could have been changed to the mk4 type but it's unlikely!

[SolarB]

I suppose the floors/ gearbox/ brake setup/ drip rails/ pedals/ bulkhead/ rocker switches/ washer bottle position/ fuse box/ wiring/ radiator cowling etc etc could have been changed to the mk4 type but it's unlikely!

You can add to that list: petrol tank, front subframe, rear screen, door furniture, safety belts, rear bulkhead, handbrake, handbrake cables and brake master cylinder.

I'm sorry that you've had bad news mate but that's not a MkIII.

[Matthew_23]

Well thats put a dampener on my day lol how much would you value it at then?? Considering I've put a new engine in it and its been fully resprayed etc......

[Pete93]

That shell is completely different to my mk3, it looks like it's had a reshell from a donner car with a few of the original parts swapped over... But on the positive it's tax free, has a metro 1.3 engine and a good paint job.

I would say that it's worth about £1700-1900 to the right buyer.

[Shifty]

Really the cars got 2 values and that depends on who's buying it!!

To someone who's a bit of a mini novice and will buy it because they like the look of it and its "tax free"(ahem!!) then they may give up £1600 for it.

To an enthusisast its value is a LOT more, I know that I wouldn't be buying it unless it was VERY cheap and even then I'd have to have my arm twisted. That values is gonna be around the £1100 mark.

Sad thing is that if it still had its original identity and could be put back to standard then it would be worth more.

[Matthew_23]

I know that your not supposed to post saying your selling stuff here but it won't let me post anything in the sales part, what am I supposed to do now??

[Shifty]

http://www.theminifo...howtopic=176587

[Matthew_23]

Looks like i'll have to start looking for stuff to comment on then haha