15 replies to this topic

[Campeck]

hey everyone. just found this forum after browsing through all the NEW mini forums. (blech)

I am currently car-less after a nice spirited run in the mountains left me without my former baby. a 1986 porsche 944. we were done for the day and returning home and i geuss i left my gaurd down because coming out of a turn at 35mph i gave it like half throttle to get out of the turn and before i knew it i was in a 12 foot ditch. sooo. new car time!

ive been looking on ebay for a fixer-upper mini and cant find any! they all seem to be restored. and i want one to tinker on (turbocharge) ect. can anyone help me out?

thanks,
ashton.

(ps any help on what years had what and which ones had the bigger engines ect would be awesome!)

my former baby. RIP.

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[Campeck]

in the ditch.

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[Campeck]

and the damage. :sad:

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[mattvallins]

Bad luck mate, always the way isnt it? Its not the fast driving that gets you, but the slow bit on the way home........
Not many people here are from the US, but someone might know of a car. Engine-wise, you can go from the a-series engine tuned up (and bored to 1440-1480cc) or there are loadsa different engines. From 16valve engines (saw a nice Ford Zetec Mini at the weekend) to bike-engined cars with Hyabusa turbos or Yammy R1s!
Good luck, and welcome to the forum

[Pooky]

Hi welcome to TMF! :tongue:

Just mosy round the forum for a while and you'll find/get all the info you'll need!

Pooky :grin:

[Ria]

Whats your budget fella? Plenty out there for less than a grand at the moment with work needing to be done to 'em

[mattvallins]

Minimadria, you've done what I normally do, Campecks in the States :wink:
Minis are worth a fortune over the pond.........

[Ria]

Doh :nugget:

I'm having a particularly blonde day today

[Purple Tom]

it might be an idea to have a look around for a pre 73 Mini (only ones which can be imported into the US legally) which needs work. They're still around in the UK, often in the Minimags etc, if you can get them in time over there.

Then pay to have it shipped over to the US, which isn't that expensive, I've heard tell of roughly £500 to have a car shipped to the US.

Depending on your budget and skills you may well be able to get one. I paid £400 for a 1972 Clubby in running order, with some work minor required to the bodywork and a slipping clutch. That just goes to show what you can get.

I hope thats of some use!

[Campeck]

well. thanks everyone. anyone know of a forum for the US?
all the mini's down here are like $4000-$5000 for a fixxer upper!
and the nice ones go for $10,000-$15,000

and I wouldnt even know where to begin looking for parts.

do mini's have rust problems? and why cant the 80's ones be imported? which ones were the lightest year model. and this hyabusa thing? is it easy? :grin:

[mattvallins]

OMG!!!!!! £2k for a basket-case! Wow! I got one for 50quid here! About $85! I know someone who imports Triumphs FROM the US, because the shells are good. Never thought we would be doing a trade the other way with the humble Mini!
It might even be worth having a holiday here, finding a few and taking a containert back with you and selling the rest on to cover your costs :wink: At last check, a container was about 2000quid. Buy 6 (easy fit in a container) at 250quid each, sell 5 of them when you get there at about $1400 each, you make your money back and have space for more in the container :tongue:

[Campeck]

thats a crazy idea. you think I could actually do that? what is 2000 quid? aaand how hard would it be to import them. and i think even the worst mini would sell for over 1k dollars. probably more like 3-4k. so i would be RIIICH..lol!

[Teapot]

Just a thought, but from other forums it looks as if minis from Australia and South Africa, in fact anywhere with nice rust-free climates, are preferred by would-be restorers in the US. If you're importing a car, maybe the shipping probs are much the same wherever.

[mattvallins]

I dont know the legal aspect of it: does an import have to be over a certain age limit? I have heard of a £2000-shipping fee container carrying 13 sports cars over (they were stripped out and bare shells). It would be a big venture, but if you are interested then why not spend 5 minutes on the phone to a ferry company, and see what they charge?
£2000 is about $3.5k. Loads of money, but if they are worth what you say in the states, then you could at least break even!

[Campeck]

and I must ask. whats with all the south park avatars? :wink: