11 replies to this topic

[Pitcrew6464]

Hi all I've rescued a mini from the scrap yard she's a all original Mary Quant Designer from a friends garage after 12yrs in the dust workshop she's out!! All free and rolling! Just the tin worm has set in.

Wondering what's the demand for them as would be such a shame to brake

[Pitcrew6464]

[some1158]

I really like Designers - one of the best 80s Limited Editions. Many have been lost; others have lost the distinctive features which included the grey (rather than chrome) headlight rings and of course the stripy seats.

 

Personally I'd try to put your find back to original as the base seems to be there, but if you break it no doubt Designer owners wanting original bits will be interested.

[some1158]

See http://www.roblightb...mini/brochures/

 for the original brochure

[Ben_O]

They are one of the better 80's LE's

 

I too like them and expect the demand for a fully restored example in original condition to be very desirable.

 

For some reason, every time i see a designer for sale as a restoration project, they are always very very rusty.

 

Is this one solid where it counts? i.e floors, bulkhead etc?

 

Great find though!
 

Ben

[danm]

My mate has a black designer. Tempted to tell him not to cooperise it if they are that sought after.

[Ben_O]

My mate has a black designer. Tempted to tell him not to cooperise it if they are that sought after.

It's the same for most 80's LE's mate. There aren't enough left in original condition.

 

Personally i think it's a real shame when they are lost to modifications but at the end of the day. the owner has the right to do as they please.

Ultimately though an LE is more valuable in it's original state than if it looks like another cooper lookalike.

 

Of course, lots of people stick the LE parts in the loft and do all the changes to the car, That way, it can be put back to it's original state without too much trouble.

 

Ben

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Looks like my designer when I found it

 

[Ben_O]

Looks like my designer when I found it

 

Did you restore that Craig?

[Quincy Sparks]

Be nice to see another one saved, as others have said, very few original cars to be seen. We took ours (not wholly original, but restored to look as such) to a few shows last year and didn't see another - although I did meet a few people who have them currently undergoing restoration, so there are still a few around! As to what they're worth restored, I guess as with any other mini, only what someone will pay, but this one topped £6k at auction recently : http://www.angliacar...-mini-designer/

 

My mate has a black designer. Tempted to tell him not to cooperise it if they are that sought after.

Might be worth a mention - seem to be more white Designers about than black, but that's just my observation, I have no hard figures to back that up :)

 

Something of a growing group on Facebook, trading info / knowledge / parts etc : https://www.facebook...signerregister/

[Pitcrew6464]

for the want of him not going to the scrap yard in the sky.

 

ive put it on so bid if you want a peice of mini history only 2000 ever made!

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...-/301414118577?

[surfblue]

They do seem to rust spectacularly, special sodium infused paint