17 replies to this topic

[exuptoy]

Due to collect a 93 Mainstream Cooper SPi next week and just thinking on the originality Aspect. Is there any point in keeping what’s there fairly original and not going down the custom route with things like 10” wheels and different engine.
It currently is very original if needing a little work.

[Gilles1000]

If you do easy swaps and keep the original parts I don't see any issue to keep the originality of the car.

I'm doing a conversion drums to disc at the front, that won't affect the value I think. Maybe the color change will.

And tuning another engine I have, but keep the original one.

[johnv]

I always thought mainstream Coopers were the carb ones that came after the RSPs and before SPIs?

.. Or am I being pedantic..

[the.stroker]

I always thought mainstream Coopers were the carb ones that came after the RSPs and before SPIs?

.. Or am I being pedantic..

This is correct , from Sep 1990.

[r3k1355]

So there's no such thing as a Mainstream Cooper Spi?  

[johnv]

So there's no such thing as a Mainstream Cooper Spi?

No.

[cal844]

1992 onward Cooper cars were spi

Edited by cal844, 16 July 2020 - 02:54 PM.

[exuptoy]

Ok, my mistake, My question still stands, is it worth worrying about the originality of the first of the Spi’s whilst it’s still in one piece?

[beardylondon]

Depends on how complete / rusty / abused it is, and how deep your pockets are.

There are obviously a lot of heavily modified SPIs, so if it’s a genuine unmolested example, I personally would keep it that way.

The question id ask yourself is, why buy an SPI if you want 10” wheels, as to retain disc brakes it’s going to be expensive to swap over, as you may or may not know, you can’t fit the 8.4” callipers that come with SPIs under 10” wheels, you need to convert to 7.5” cooper S set up.

Obviously swapping the engine is more expense, without knowing your dreams and plans, it’s hard to advise.

Edited by beardylondon, 16 July 2020 - 10:51 PM.

[exuptoy]

I think I’ve owned 10 minis in various guises and on my last SPi Sprite (Now owned by @shifty) I fitted 7.5” discs and a mk1 grille swiftly followed by 2 new wings, A panels and repaired the front panel after the PO’s excessive grinder skills to rid the wings of rot and blended arches with a large tub of filler, so I know my way around a mini but was wondering if prices reflect the numbers left (looking around, pretty much ANY mini with an mot and halfway decent paint seems to command big money compared to when I owned my last ones)

[johnv]

What's the difference between an Spi Cooper and any other Spi 1275 model?

[beardylondon]

Well you are more knowledgable than you first appeared!

Yes you are right, any half decent Mini has gone up in value, like anything when you come to sell it will be down to personal preference of the buyer. You’ll just put off the people who want original, but I guess there’s a market for modified too.

I think I’ve owned 10 minis in various guises and on my last SPi Sprite (Now owned by @shifty) I fitted 7.5” discs and a mk1 grille swiftly followed by 2 new wings, A panels and repaired the front panel after the PO’s excessive grinder skills to rid the wings of rot and blended arches with a large tub of filler, so I know my way around a mini but was wondering if prices reflect the numbers left (looking around, pretty much ANY mini with an mot and halfway decent paint seems to command big money compared to when I owned my last ones)

[MatthewsDad]

I tend to keep any original bits I take off my cars and box them in a corner of the garage. They're there should a new owner wish to refurb and reinstate them. Personally for SPI Coopers I think there are so many that are non-original in some way or another that originality is unimportant unless you are showing the car.

[Screwdriver]

In 2016, I purchased my JDM SPi Cooper for less than half its current insured agreed value. While that's not to say I'll get the agreed value when I sell (I always aim for more), I'm very pleased with how admired and reliable the car has proven to be! The car was immaculate when I purchased it and I've only tried to bring it as close to factory original when replacing any wear items! 

 

Also helps that I service the car at Croydon Minis - they absolutely love original Minis. By my observation, immaculate, original cars appreciate upwards of  ~10% p.a on average.

[exuptoy]

Cheers for the input guys.
I’m purchasing it for the right price so there’ll be money in it, especially with an mot after getting a few bits ironed out.