Hi, I am a retired chartered mechanical engineer living in Weymouth Dorset.
I am mini-less but my wife has a 17 plate Mini One auto - I know it's not a 'real' Mini but she loves it.
I have, in the past had numerous real Minis. The first was 1960 850 Austin. Several estates incl Woody's, clubman est, 1970 saloon, Wolsley Hornet, and a Jet Black (wife's). Never ever owned a Riley Elf - always wanted one.
I reckon, over many years, I have taken every single piece apart - right down to the reverse idler gear roll pin - which needed a special home made tool to extract. I still have a 1" thick early flywheel extractor, a tool for removing the primary gear oil seal with engine in-situ.
Don't do any work on them now - at 71 my body doesn't bend like it used to!!