11 replies to this topic

[Jase]

Considering purchasing an early car to restore. How common are these now and where is the best place to look?

[mk1leg]

if you can find 1 but be prepared to pay BIG BUCKS

[Jase]

When you say big bucks, what does that mean?

[absx2]

A rusted out shell with a V5 and a few boxes of bits are around six thousand pounds or more these days.

Its the same with vintage motorcycles, its cheaper to buy a decent one to start with.

[johnv]

If you do everything yourself except body and paint it will cost at least £20k to get a Cooper (not s) with all the right bits on the road

[Cooperman]

The most affordable real Cooper is the Innocenti 1300 Export.
The mechanical spec is very similar to an S and they do drive well.
Once correctly restored they are simply delightful.
All are LHD as no RHD ones were allowed to be built
I wish I still had mine.

[Jase]

Well, decided against that fairly swiftly, would rather a Porsche :) 944/68 or a 997 plenty to choose from at those price points.

[Daz1968]

but they are not a mini, I do see your point though early cars are at a price where other cars seem attractive, I was lucky and have had my mk2 cooper for a long time, but I couldn’t warrant the expense to get one as a second car now, I didn’t buy it as an investment I bought it because I like minis, unfortunately now you need to like minis and have plenty of spare cash to spend.

[Jase]

I always fancied one but have always prefered the Clubman and GT which is why I never really bothered. Had a quick look on a few websites and they are overpriced for what they are, sorry. Whilst we all love the Mini I would imagine we all also like other marques and I'd rather have some fun with something more affordable, if not a Porsche then a TR or Austin etc. Just looking for another project for when I have completed my GT.

[Curley]

If it's value you seek why not look at a MINI.. just as much fun as a Mini but cheaper. There are more of them to buy and frankly better suited to modern motoring. An early 00's R53 is in my opinion just as much fun as any Cooper S I ever drove (flame suit on)

[johnv]

This is true but so is a Renault clio.. Etc..

[Cooperman]

The Mk.1 Cooper and S are truly 1960's icons and as desirable as many other cars from the same era.
More affordable, but from the same era are the Sunbeam Rapier, Ford Zephyr/Zodiac, MGB, TR4 & 5, Triumph 2000, Ford Cortina GT, A-H Sprite Mk.1 & 2., etc. A lot of choice there with many great cars to choose from. I do keep being tempted to look for a good Rapier.