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Mini Van 1979 - For Sale

Started by hairyhammie , Aug 29 2019 06:18 PM

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#1 hairyhammie

Learner Driver

Noobies
16 posts

Location: Surrey

Posted 29 August 2019 - 06:18 PM

Hi,

Unfortunately I'm selling my 1979 Mini Van (Hector) which I’ve owned since 2010.

I bought it to drive around Europe for a number of months, where I slept in the back as some sort of tiny campervan - we've been to 16 countries together!

After this first trip and a subsequent shorter one to Stockholm, I had realised that the bodywork was in need of some serious restoration. From what I thought was the need for just new sills…the standard Mini grot was found in many areas. Over the course of about 5 years I worked on and off stripping Hector down to just the chassis, mounting on a spit, bracing and then replacing most of the lower 100mm of panels.

This is not a full list, but the panels (mainly M Machine) replaced include:

· both full floor pans
· seat mounting box section
· heel board
· floor strengthening panels
· sills (the correct ones with vents this time!)
· rear subframe mounts
· lower sections of side panels
· sections of rear wheel arch
· front floor corner areas to arches
· sections of lower A-pillars
· doorsteps
· box areas behind heel board (with holes for waxoil added)
· underside and firewall of car epoxy coated, stone-chipped and painted
· stripped/cleaned/internally sealed and then painted fuel tank
· inline glass fuel filter added to replace original internal fuel tank item
· stripped and repainted rear subframe
· replaced rear suspension arm pivots
· subframe mounts
· engine mounts
· cleaned and painted engine
· new leads
· braided oil pressure hose to dial
· replaced oil pump and seal
· new clutch (correctly torqued flywheel)
· clutch release bearing
· removed incorrect chrome grille and fabricated removable steel grille
· all new brake hoses
· 7.5” discs and callipers
· temperature dial
· new battery
· battery cable
· Internal heater refurbished with new heater matrix

Engine is 1275 which was tuned on the rolling-road by Stuart at VMax Mini last year and told that it should have plenty of life left and oil pressure with new pump is instant and at the desired level

· new upgraded timing chain
· water pump
· new hoses
· plugs and leads
· recent oil change
· new starter solenoid
· LCB manifold and 3” stainless Playmini exhaust (sounds great, but too load for long journeys! Came with it, so not my choice)

Other info:

· 10” miniator wheels
· “camper” interior fitted in rear with insulated sides/roof/floor which also deadens the noise…slightly! It’s still loud – it’s a van with a large exhaust!
· metro seats (a little tired but comfortable)
· Pageant blue
· Hi-Los included but not fitted

It’s by no means concourse condition and was never intended to be, so there is the odd scratch but nothing serious. The bonnet does have a small crease in it but wasn’t top priority when restoring.

I’d love to keep it and sort out all of the minor issues to make it perfect, but after moving I don’t have a proper garage to keep it in or the time to enjoy it. it’s been well kept since moving, in a temporary garage with a dehumidifier.

It was MOT'd in May as has been used in dry weather a few times since.

It will become tax exempt next year and no longer need an MOT.

It’s an awesome vehicle and I’ve had some amazing times in it and will be sad to see it go.

Looking at the few vans for sale at the moment, I think it's worth about £9500, but sensible offers considered.

Let me know if you have any questions?

Thanks,

Jamie