16 replies to this topic

[Cooperman]

I just bought a Mini which I restored and prepared for Endurance rallying back in 2003.

It is a 1990 Cooper with a 'blueprinted' engine with Mg Metro cam, slightly cleaned-up head, 1330 cc and all the rally equipment still in it.

 

The body has been neglected, so it needs new inner front wings, which means taking the quite good front wings off, door repairs, so I may just find some better ones and fit them, rear quarter panel lower rust dealt with and a re-build of the suspension with new ball joints, track-rod ends, tie-bar rubbers, etc.

 

Gearbox has standard ratios, it has a centre oil pick-up, a 3.44:1 FDR, Mintex 1166 brake pads, SPAX dampers, the lines all run inside, it has Corbeau comp seats and Willans full harness belts. Roll cage is a safety Devices one. Lights are Cibie with two Super Oscar driving lights. It has twin Facet fuel pumps and an ITG filter on the HIF44 carb. Exhaust is twin-box RC40 with skid plates added. A long dural sump guard is fitted and a 10-row oil cooler. 

 

I am really looking forward to getting it back and restoring it to how it was when I rallied it in 2004.

 

Photos will follow as it progresses.

Edited by Cooperman, 20 September 2018 - 03:25 PM.

[surfblue]

Excellent!

You can never have too many.

Must be strange buying back an old car - and seeing how neglected its become, but Im sure you'll make it wonderful again.

Did you finish the Mk1 yet?

[Cooperman]

Excellent!

You can never have too many.

Must be strange buying back an old car - and seeing how neglected its become, but Im sure you'll make it wonderful again.

Did you finish the Mk1 yet?

I might sell the Mk.1 as a project. The shell is completed and entirely rust free and I have virtually all the main parts to finish it. It would be an easy restoration and a 1964 Mini 850 would be a nice thing to own with increasing value. I have no idea what it is worth, but my good friend Richy who runs Mini Spares North says a restored Mk.1 shell in rust-free state is worth over £5000, especially with a V5 and sub-frame, So I guess the whole thing could go for £6500 with the original engine, new Newton Commercial seat covers and interior trim plus boxes and boxes of brand new parts inc. chrome bumpers with over-riders and 'handles'.

My problem is lack of time to really get stuck in and finish it. If no-one wants it I will put it to one side for around 12 months. I now want to get the 1990 Cooper going again and back as it was. I also have a lot of work at my gliding club where I instruct and run the ground equipment. I thought retirement was meant to be a time for relaxation  .

[miniQ]

How many Mini's have you owned in your time?

 

Is it an addiction one should be worried about?

Edited by miniQ, 20 September 2018 - 06:48 PM.

[Cooperman]

I have lost count, but I reckon it is over 30 in total.

My wife thinks it is an addiction, but I'm not just into classic Minis. I love Fords and my son has a 1978 Escort RS2000 full-on rally car for which I built the engine. Lately I have been thinking I would like a 1960's Sunbeam Rapier or a Mk.3 Ford Zodiac.

The BMW 2002 in your avatar is also a great car. I rallied in one on a few events in 1971. It was a 2002Ti and was very quick. Back then it had about 190 bhp which put it on a par with the Escort RS1800.

[Ben_O]

Following this

[surfblue]

 

Excellent!

You can never have too many.

Must be strange buying back an old car - and seeing how neglected its become, but Im sure you'll make it wonderful again.

Did you finish the Mk1 yet?

I might sell the Mk.1 as a project. The shell is completed and entirely rust free and I have virtually all the main parts to finish it. It would be an easy restoration and a 1964 Mini 850 would be a nice thing to own with increasing value. I have no idea what it is worth, but my good friend Richy who runs Mini Spares North says a restored Mk.1 shell in rust-free state is worth over £5000, especially with a V5 and sub-frame, So I guess the whole thing could go for £6500 with the original engine, new Newton Commercial seat covers and interior trim plus boxes and boxes of brand new parts inc. chrome bumpers with over-riders and 'handles'.

My problem is lack of time to really get stuck in and finish it. If no-one wants it I will put it to one side for around 12 months. I now want to get the 1990 Cooper going again and back as it was. I also have a lot of work at my gliding club where I instruct and run the ground equipment. I thought retirement was meant to be a time for relaxation  .

 

I havent got that far yet but many say they dont know how they had time to fit in a days work as well.

I'd say that's probably a realistic price currently if it's still needing painted, but do you really want to sell after all the work?

Can t wait to see the pics of the Cooper!

[mk1leg]

nice to of found it again

[jomaoliveira79]

Hi Cooperman. It's a pity you will sell the Mk1 unfinished as I was really interested seeing your view on a restored period car, specially which mods you (certainly) will make to it.

[Cooperman]

Hi Cooperman. It's a pity you will sell the Mk1 unfinished as I was really interested seeing your view on a restored period car, specially which mods you (certainly) will make to it.

I would have made some 'improvements' rather than modifications.

 

These would have been a 256 cam, a gas-flowed head, solid-skirt pistons (if I could find some for an 850), an improved inlet manifold, a 3-branch exhaust manifold, a tachometer, a period radio, a Facet petrol pump, an alternator (the one which looks like a dynamo), improved dampers, possibly 998 Cooper disc brakes instead of the drums but with the original steel 3.5" wheels, a pair of 5" Lucas spot-lights, a column-dropper and 14" steering wheel, a reversing light, Autopal headlights, electric washer pump, a 12 volt accessory socket, 145/80 x 10 tyres.

[jomaoliveira79]

Check mine Cooperman, doesn't it make you an itch?  LB_85_22_3_4_FRENTE_tampoes_integrais.jpg   71.97K   7 downloads

[surfblue]

Or this?

Keep it, you know you want to!!!

 

 

 IMG_3142.JPG   284.59K   0 downloads

[Cooperman]

That is very nice. It's a credit to you. I've always loved surf blue, but never owned one that colour. The early cars do look so much cleaner and neater without all the later add-ons like the huge wing mirrors and arch extensions.

 

I shall delete the arch extensions on the Cooper. I had to fit them when first I built it to comply with the regulations for endurance rallying, but with them removed and with new wings, the propensity for the rust to start at the fixing holes will be gone and it will look better. You don't need extensions with the 4.5 x 12 Minilite wheels and I'll be able to carry the chrome trim over the wheel arches easily.

[Haynes]

Check mine Cooperman, doesn't it make you an itch? LB_85_22_3_4_FRENTE_tampoes_integrais.jpg

Nice! 

 

Like the addition of spots and downton style mirrors.

[Cooperman]

I just paid for it today and will collect it as soon as the guy I bought it from has moved the Mini 30 in his workshop which is in the way. In fact the Mini 30 is a full restoration to absolute original condition and it just needs the suspension fitting onto it. Then it can be moved to let my new toy out.

In fact, if anyone wants an absolutely 'mint' Mini 30 in maroon, let me know. I think it will be around £8000, but it is gorgeous.