8 replies to this topic

[JayBee77]

Hi All:

I am considering purchasing this restored 1959 Morris Mini from a private party: Here is the Ad

Can someone with a little more know-how than myself help me understand if this a fair price, and if not, how much should I offer?

Thanks!

Jenn

Attached Files

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•  IMG00064_20100712_0732_1_.jpg   532.15K   10 downloads

Edited by JayBee77, 12 July 2010 - 10:25 PM.

[Shifty]

Is it a '59 car then or a '62?

I'd be surprised if it was a '59, '62 sounds more plausible?

The wheels look like standard ones as well.

Can you get more pictures, scuttle joints, floors, wing seams?

That will give an idea of the quality of the restoration.

[JayBee77]

Is it a '59 car then or a '62?

I'd be surprised if it was a '59, '62 sounds more plausible?

The wheels look like standard ones as well.

Can you get more pictures, scuttle joints, floors, wing seams?

That will give an idea of the quality of the restoration.

I've added the few additional photos I've gotten from the owner. I'll work on getting the floors, wing seams, etc. when I go to see it in a couple of days. Owner claims its a '59, but is registered as a collector in the state of WA as a '62, so I'll assume it's '62.

[Shifty]

Looks a nice car, I'm not very clued up on '59 cars.

It may be worth having a look here for more info

http://www.1959miniregister.com/

I assume those photos were taken during the restoration?

(theres no wipers in the one picture!)

Whats he want for it?

[JayBee77]

Thanks! I'll check it out. I think the photos were during restoration. I'll take more of the finished product and post them to get your opinion.

I appreciate it!

Jenn

[colinu]

Jenn,

I assume you're in/near Seattle... if so try asking the question to http://www.seattleminiowners.com/. They probably have a better idea of current prices, and most likely will know the car in question. Seek their advice/assistance... who knows, one of them might even offer to view it with you and go over it with their eagle eye
Based on the few photos you have, the car seems to be in good condition and "sympathetically" restored. The shell looks original and in good shape, but it sounds like the engine may have been replaced during the restoration (a newer 1275cc rebuild has been fitted???).

Note: The car is also advertized on MiniMania's site http://www.minimania.com/web/id/9182/Cars4Sale_Detail.cfm... owner has dropped his price as he was looking for US$14.5k back in May. Maybe he's getting desperate to sell so that could be in your favour.

Price? Hard to say what to offer without seeing the car in the flesh. If it were me (and the car didn't have anything "odd" about it) I'd probably try to get it for about US$10K.

Regards,
Colin. (Santa Rosa, CA)

[mrslaphead]

Something doesnt seem right, as in the ad its described as a mini cooper , which wasnt launched until 1961.

[Minimainiac]

I don't believe it started life as a Cooper to many cooper parts missing. You really need to study what to look for and go and have a closer look at it. Build dates can be obtained from various parts fitted to the car including, all the windows, rear boot lock mechanism, wiper motor. If it still has a body number on the bonnet slam panel you could narrow the age down.

The inner door locks fitted to it are early ones pre 62.

[colinu]

I can't say I noticed it being advertizsed as a Cooper, but maybe I didn't read the detail well enough. What I can say/guess is this...
Having moved to the USA recently (emigrated from Scotland last year) I do find the USA registration system a bit bizar. There are some genuine old/original Mini's out here, and some late model ones that have been re-VIN'd and registered as old MK1's. Somewhere inbetween the term Cooper etc gets thrown around with little or no justification.
This Mini (to me) seems to be a genuine early Morris Mini (most likey '59) that someone has taken a lot of time an $$$ to get back into good and reasonably original shape. And probably loved it a lot along the way. OK, so it's not a genuine A1 concours restoration (but if it was then you'd be looking at US$20K+). If what you want is an early vintage Mini that's in good shape and trying to be reasonably faithful to it's heritage then this is definately worth considering. Just rememebr that with the info we have on this thread we can only speculate - best contact folks like the Seattle club and seek their guidence (or assistance) when viewing or potentially buying the car.