35 replies to this topic

[MGBailey007]

you could restore it to the same colour and just use bolt on bits to your taste, if you want a black car why don't you just put all the extras black instead, so the origional colour cherry red with black roof and black arches and mirrors then all you need to do to put it back to original if you want is undo some bolts, but like you say you are going to keep it for as long as you can and you don't plan on selling it why are you thinking of the value and just go mad and do what you want its your car

[blacktulip]

im taking blacktulip back to standard right down to drum brakes. then im going to buy an 80's rotter to mess about with.

[Mini_Magic]

Standard will keep is value but that's boring!

[Steely]

On a LTD Edition I would say standard as they are rare but if it was something like a City/Sprite/Mayfair then do as you please. But thats just my opinion so do what you wish :)

[Miniryan09]

I would do a bit of both?

If I was honest I like things modified, but not stupid. With mine, I've sprayed it a new colour and got some recovered seats in it, and a new dash etc, wheels and arches are changed too but I've kept things subtle, and if someone didn't know a lot about minis, it could look vaugly standard.

I think at the end of the day it's your personal touch you have to put on it, that's the fun of minis, thier all different. As long as you don't go stupid with the mods, I would go that route.

[Steely]

Yea, My 25 is "standard". The only changes I've made are the wheels and stage 1 kit but the 25 wheels are going back on as soon as I get hold of some original nuts that fit!

[racingbob]

i wouldnt wrap it

do what pleases you if your going to keep it a long time its all about enjoying your mini

and how you want it

i have spent £2000 in bits in the last year getting it to how i want it

FAST ROAD and handling ( cant get the racing out of my blood )

and the car had already been rebuilt before i bought it

[Alex_B]

Well I am also in the same dilemma as you, my car is mostly primer and will be respraying it in the coming weeks, it is a mini 25 and have been debating painting roof black ect, big wheels, bucket seats, slammed. but after L2B I have decided to keep it more standard, it will be going a little lower but not too much as driving pleasure is high on my list, i am still undecided on interior i was going with buckets to save my 25 interior getting worn as its in really good cond, but i really like it so if it wears out may just pay to get it re upholstered, and its going on minilights as i prefer to the 25 wheels but the standard ones are staying with me for when i put it back to standard.

the next car i get though will be modified, as i still want something a bit different :)

[Chance]

Well I habe a Ritz that's been messed with already...bonnet stripes added and cheque roof...different wheels but I dont know whether to make it back standard and get another to 'modify'...really don't know :)

[Nathan94]

Thanks for the advice guys!

I think I may just get her painted black for now as I have a friend who can do a full respray for £300, but then keep all the original interior and wheels and if I ever want to get it back to standard, have it resprayed by my mate again, cheaper than wrapping too.

[stretch tech]

hi, i am restoring a mini thirty at the minute and i am keeping all the things that were special about the thirty standard - interior and colour mainly but other than that, there isn't anything unique about the thirty, things like rear heated window and bigger fuel tank etc are worth keeping any way. i have different wheels, i have messed with the engine performance a bit and am fitting a good ice system but it will be hidden from view so the car will look standard but will have my design flare

if it were me, i would keep it standard and make it a sleeper, like me it will be worth more in terms of money that way but it is really about what the car is worth to you if you intend to keep it

[Wakey-Dan]

All of the above and even if you are going to ignore 90% of the above advice and go a different colour anyway, don't go black. worst mini colour in my opinion. Stay as original as possible. I've got a 35, changed the interior but still kept the old stuff in case.

[konyo]

I'm same as you, I got a Thirty and want to do loads to it but then don't want because it's a limited edition... But I made the choice & have brought some wheels for it, but have to cut up arch and wings for them and also fit group 2 race. No going back now lol. Don't think I'll ever sell it though so why not

[molliesargent]

i had the the same dilema, my mini was so original, but it needs new a panels and i didnt want to start taking it apart and taking away its "originality" kinda thing. so I decided to leave it... But then a van smashed into the the front of it so modify it is!

[minimarco]

It's true, the more you modify, the harder it will be to sell later on... but that's because you've made it special and you wouldn't want to let it go.

I wouldn't want to keep it original for the sake of resale value (rather than for historical accuracy). Don't live for others and their preference to buy an original and live for yourself, do whatever you want with it.