9 replies to this topic

[Chris.Williams]

Hi all,
Just wanted peoples thoughts on what this https://www.trademe....-1890795447.htm would be worth and if you guys had any reason not to believe it’s authenticity.

Edited by Chris.Williams, 01 January 2019 - 09:24 PM.

[sledgehammer]

I'm not a specialist in any way on early mini's

 

but it looks unmolested and around the age that is advertised

 

I tried the engine calculator in guessworks web site , but it didn't work for that number (aus car ?)

 

wipers look inset which is right , looks like remote gear change (slightly to the left of rod change) , no floor button start visible  , but headlight dip on floor

 

wet suspension , engine bay looks surprisingly oil free for an old car ?

 

The wheels look right to me ?

 

definitely not a 90's MPI - looks like a 60's car that has sat for a long time

 

smarter folk will be along soon - that know the era better than me

Edited by sledgehammer, 01 January 2019 - 10:41 PM.

[Chris.Williams]

I'm not a specialist in any way on early mini's
 
but it looks unmolested and around the age that is advertised
 
I tried the engine calculator in guessworks web site , but it didn't work for that number (aus car ?)
 
wipers look inset which is right , looks like remote gear change (slightly to the left of rod change) , no floor button start visible  , but headlight dip on floor
 
wet suspension , engine bay looks surprisingly oil free for an old car ?
 
The wheels look right to me ?
 
definitely not a 90's MPI - looks like a 60's car that has sat for a long time
 
smarter folk will be along soon - that know the era better than me

I checked the engine number on mini manias site, does state 998 cooper.

[Spider]

It could mostly be the real thing.

 

That engine number prefix does belong to both the later 998 Cooper and the 1071 Cooper S Engines, but that one is clearly a small bore.

 

I see it has been fitted with Cooper S Wheels, Twin Tanks, neither of which the Cooper had as standard though the RH Fuel Tank could be ordered as an option.

 

I also see the Manifold doesn't appear a Cooper item but I think a Cooper S one. The Air Filter box of course has been replaced with after market filters.

 

It would be wise to see what front Brakes are on it as many have been retro fitted with S Brakes.

 

The Instruments appear correct for a Cooper. The Vinyl covered upper and lower Dash Rails are also correct.

 

Sad to see it in this condition and it would cost a small fortune to put it right.  The 998 Cooper (supposedly) isn't as desirable or valuable as the 997 as they have no factory competition history.

[ace01]

That certainly needs a bit of work.  I see that the upholstery is plain, is that a NZ thing?  There is a fresh air heater fitted, but the air hose is missing and the hole blanked off on the bulkhead.  Having said that it looks mostly complete otherwise.

 

You would need to take a closer look and see how much work is actually needed and see if that matches your pocket.  

[mini_in_progress]

I would want to look close at that roof seam, everything else is pretty easy to fix given time and cash

[mikal]

Buy it and ship it to the UK. By their standards it's only surface rust

Edited by mikal, 04 January 2019 - 12:10 PM.

[Cooperman]

That looks like a good basis for restoration.
It looks like a genuine 998 Cooper. The wheels are 4.5 x 10 reverse rims which fit a 998 Cooper without spacers.
It should have a fresh air trunking through the engine bay, but it has a blanking plate. Can't think why.
In the UK and fully restored it could be worth over £25k.

[Ivor Badger]

An Austin Cooper with a Morris grille? Interior trim, rear seat?

[Homersimpson]

Buy it and ship it to the UK. By their standards it's only surface rust

We could polish that out