6 replies to this topic

[spud]

Hi All,

I just thought I'd call in to introduce myself

I used to have a '78 S reg mini many moons ago and was thinking about getting another one because all the cars that I've had since have been nowhere near as much fun!! My old mini started out as a standard mini 1000 but ended up with a 1275 Austin 1300 engine with a 1300GT cylinder head, maniflow, water heated inlet manifold, mini 1275 GT discs, petrol tank and dials and more. It went like a rocket and was brill to drive.

However , at the moment I have a very reliable and economical 1.7 diesel corsa which is the exact oppposite of what my mini was (OK-I did tend to thrash it a bit )

Do you think I'd be mad to consider selling my existing car to get a mini? i was thinking about maybe a 1275 Cooper from the early nineties as that is about all I can afford at the mo. Have minis changed much since I had one last?

Sorry about all the questions so soon!!

Cheers,

Mark.

[TOMMO0302]

You'd be mad not to!
Welcome to TMF!

[spud]

That's the answer I was expecting!!

Should I expect many differences between my old mini and a 1275 Cooper (say early nineties)?

TIA

Mark.

[Dom]

Hello and welcome to TheMiniForum

I have a '90 cooper carb that looks like this...



It is standard on appearance minus the clear indactor lenses.

Now all you have to do is compare it to the one you had.

[minivanman]

I reckon performance wise, they'd be about equal. rover coopers arent the be all and end all. *ducks* From what I gather, they had a bit racier cam, and a higher compression ratio. Other than that, they rust as much as any other mini. a 1275 sprite would probably be cheaper, and cooper stickers and tactical placement of chrome would give you a nice cooper replica. you can always go to town on the engine later on. Like Tommo said, you'd be mad not to!

[bananaman]

Just make sure you check all the usual places for rust, Rovers rust proofing was almost non existant from 92 onwards. If there is any under the scuttle I'll be amazed, I've had four 90's Minis and they have all had next to no paint under there.

Bin the foam soundproofing on the top of the bulkhead too, perfect water trap.

Tony

[spud]

Thanks for all the info everyone

Is that why I've recently seen a G reg cooper for £2250 and an M reg cooper for £1200 ?

Cheers,

Spud.