9 replies to this topic

[AirCadet255]

Hi everyone,

 

Am turning 17 in January and have bought myself a 1980 mini 1000 to bring back to life for my first car. I have loved minis for as long as I can remember and have been looking for a basic enough project for years.

 

Rust wise she is almost perfect, nothing other than slight surface rust, and I have been all over with a magnet!

 

Am thinking of doing a mk1 cooper replica, with the grille, rear lights, badges, and a nice set of wheels.

 

Interested to get peoples opinions on mk1 replicas, are they generally frowned upon? Always wanted a mk1 but simply can not afford one, or afford to stuff in it a hedge!

 

Thanks in advanced

 

 

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[Ben_O]

It has been done an awful lot and to me a standard 1980 1000 like you have is desirable as it is.

 

But like anything, it is your car so you must do what suits you.

 

Good luck!

 

Ben

Edited by Ben_O, 12 August 2015 - 10:56 PM.

[Anthony30]

I would keep it looking fairly standard. You can tell a genuine mk1 from a replica, so it won't fool anyone.  

[jpw1275]

You wouldn't try and make a pair of Nike trainers look like Adidas would you ?

Cheers james

[AirCadet255]

 

I would keep it looking fairly standard. You can tell a genuine mk1 from a replica, so it won't fool anyone.    

 

 

Im not planning on fooling anyone, just the mk1 features really appeal to me. Nothing I do to the car would be irreversible and I will shelf all the original parts.

 

Got back to work on it today, engine completely seized since I last worked on it, suspecting that water got in the carb because there is corrosion on the inside of the manifold.

So engine came out, and took off the headlights to cure surface corrosion around them.

 

Thanks for your responses, it's great to get an idea of general feeling towards different ideas 

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Edited by AirCadet255, 13 August 2015 - 07:22 AM.

[jpw1275]

I'm all for different ideas as mine won't be standard by far :0) .... I would research and see what mods etc where done around the year of manufacture and keep it period just to be different ....

Cheers james

[jagman.2003]

Historically the attraction of minis & certain other classic cars is the ability to change & adapt them to any style or taste you like.

There are limits ofcourse but generally you could make them your own.

In more recent times with the decline in numbers & values increasing there has been an inclination to preserve originality & possibly value.

 

But to answer your question in my opinion, it's your mini, do what you like. If you keep the original parts & don't make any drastic changes then you can always return to a earlier state.

[wingnut]

Just a nice set of alloys,no arches.Would look lovely

 

But its your car,do what you want

[AirCadet255]

Thanks everyone, I think what I'm going to go for is a reversible replica state so speak. Make the car look lovely whilst keeping original features tucked away for future sale.

[mk1leg]

its your mini.....turn it into your dream mini........here is a pic of my retro mk1 look....