1987 Mini Advantage... Is It Rare Or Not Worth The Effort

I have just picked up 2 minis, 1 is a standard 998 city e.
The other is a very messy 1987 advantage. I'm struggling to find much information on them except they initially made just 2500. It's a bit of a project but wanted to ask the font of knowledge on here. I am also looking at a clubman so may just flip the advantage if its not worth my time and effort and instead focus on the clubby.

Is it worth my time and effort?

What sort of money could it be worth? It's going to have a complete body off rebuild which I will document. This will include a complete professional spray job, reupholstered seats and a fully rebuilt engine. So will end up as it came out of the factory. V5 calls it a mini advantage

Would it be better to stick with the clubby and flip this car. I have an idea of clubby values and demand but no clue on the advantage.

Any advice and help appreciated.

In my humble opinion, there currently doesn’t seem to be much interest in that era of special edition, especially as most people know they are based on a city anyway.

However, it goes without saying that a well restored and presented mini will obviously always sell for good money to the right person.

But, to answer your question, it’s not going to be worth any more than any other Mini from that era, especially as it’s not one of the sought after ones, ie. 30 or RSP.

I guess it’s weighting up what it’s actually going to cost to get it sorted and in fact in may cost more to sort out than a regular mini. The seats for one are unique to the car and if in bad shape, might be hard to replace.

Edited by beardylondon, 13 October 2021 - 08:13 AM.

As an average Joe who has rebuilt a number of junkers my findings are..spend thousands of pounds and hours and get one quarter of it back.Financially very few cars are worth restoring.If you do not have the hunger for it move it on preferably before dismantling it.Just my blunt two pence worth.Steve..

It's worth doing if you like it, have the funds to do it and plan to keep it for yourself.

 

To restore it to the level you have suggested, you will never make a profit selling it on.

 

I agree with Steve above, sell it on as a complete car to someone who wants to restore it for themselves.

I am a fan of the late 80s/early 90s LE models in original condition (and have one myself), but I know that's fairly unusual.

 

If the Advantage is reasonably intact i.e. has all the unique trim etc you might find someone who wants to restore it to original, or close to. Given that they are now fairly rare, especially in original condition, I personally think it would be a shame to see that car turned into something else, but of course it's ultimately your car!

Thanks for all the comments. I wouldn't be doing this to sell it would be my own. I have done a few mini restorations back in the day you could pick up a runner for under a grand. It has everything it's just been sat in a garage for 12 years and needs some tlc. Interior is all there but a little ratty. Seats are in good shape and should need a clean to bring them back. The body has the usual issues I expect from a car that's been left for so long. Engine is free and looks salvageable. I think I'll give it a go as not seen another in my 25 years of mini madness. I will put a thread up in the correct channels to show our progress. Again thanks all for the feedback. I always doubt myself...

Looking forward to seeing progress. I think the 'Advantage' decals are available, when you get to that stage....

 

If you need some inspiration have a look at https://www.rwclassi...miles-from-new/

it is quite a good spec for the car. i am restoring one now.

Advantage sticker kit is available at sticky fingers

They aren't worth enough atm to be worth restoring and make money. Dont think any mini is except maybe a mk1 Cooper. Still too many around.