12 replies to this topic

[Ramok]

Hello folks, hoping to get a classic mini as my first car and bring it back to its former glory!
Just a few questions:

What is the difference between a Morris mini and an Austin mini?

With regards to Austin/Morris/Rover mini, what is easiest to repair and acquire parts for?

Or should I be after a John cooper mini?

Basically - what one would you recommend for being a road car whilst it being as easy as possible for me to restore due to availability?

Thanks for all/any help - Michael!

Edited by Ramok, 02 October 2012 - 06:31 PM.

[leroy26]

austin/morris no differance to be honest just badges!
rover came along in the 80s these are the cheapest to buy insure restore if you get a carb model not injection
cooper forget it youll never insure!

[Ramok]

Okay thanks for the reply! Just one last thing that I just remembered: I would very much prefer a mini with the winged mini badge and I see a lot of some of the Austin mini/rover have their own badges and not the winged mini badge, what model(s) have the winged mini badge?

Edited by Ramok, 02 October 2012 - 07:00 PM.

[leroy26]

there the later (94-on) rover minis but they are injection 1275cc models therefore more expensive to insure/restore

[Ramok]

Right'o, so best to get a model after 1969 then, and best to get a Rover mini but I could still get along fine with an Austin/Morris?

[mk1leg]

any mini is a good mini...............and welcome to TMF............

[se_juggles]

Nooooooooooo don't do it to yourself! Lol Jks.

Keep an eye out for that bargain... I just picked up one off here for a nice little price... and the floor is factory standard... still has all the drain hole plugs... just gotta be patient and not jump into buying something for the sake of owning a mini.

[se_juggles]

The winged badge was created for the limited edition RSP Cooper in 1990 but was used in every Cooper since and all Minis from 1996. The later ones said Mini rather than Mini Cooper.
Genuine parts for very early Minis are harder to find. Body panels from 1969 are basically the same for all models since and are always available.

And just a little note I do believe somerford minis can make any panel you want be it pre 69 or post 69 so I would not worry about that unless you want to restore something like a mk1 cooper s.... somerford do some great panels I just got 2 half floors for my project with inner and outer sills on them already.

[Ramok]

Hey folks,thanks for all your help and replies, just one more question about getting a rover mini, would it make any difference if its just a mini or a mini Mayfair In terms of getting parts and ease to restore?

[Ryang556]

Mayfair is just a trim / design, wont make any difference in getting parts or restoring it, although I found that the Mayfair was easier to insure than the Park Lane / Advantage etc, I'm guessing because the mayfair was less to buy new opposed to the Park Lane and the Advantage, so I'd say the Mayfair was a good bet

[Ramok]

Great man cheers, I know I keep saying this but... one more question I can think of: would the parts listed on: http://www.bmh-ltd.com/miniparts.htm - fit a mini Mayfair or a Rover mini and also austin/morris minis? I'll be getting one that's relatively new - in the 90's anyway!

Edited by Ramok, 28 October 2012 - 06:57 PM.