Jump to content


Photo

1973 Clubman Auto Barn Find


  • Please log in to reply
11 replies to this topic

#1 henryS

henryS

    Stage One Kit Fitted

  • Noobies
  • PipPipPip
  • 66 posts
  • Location: Melton Mowbray
  • Local Club: DCMOC(?)

Posted 17 November 2020 - 10:13 AM

Hi all, I’ve just acquired a 1973 Clubman Auto in a lovely (!) shade of Harvest Gold.

It’s a total barn find, been stuck in someone’s garage unused for 20 years and the same owner for over 41 years.

I’ve had it a couple of weeks now and after an initial wash, I decided it had a couple of niggles with the bodywork so it’s had a full strip down and it’ll current a bare shell on a roll over jig!

I’m finding small patches of rust/holes in the usual spots and will be cutting these panels out and replacing properly.

Anyway time for some photos...

https://app.photobuc...e4-d05587b04ffe

#2 imack

imack

    Camshaft & Stage Two Head

  • TMF+ Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,859 posts
  • Location: Orpington, Kent

Posted 17 November 2020 - 10:40 AM

Nice find! That's a very original looking car, it even has its original olive interior. You just don't see any harvest gold minis anymore, if they get repainted a period colour people tend to go for bronze yellow these days despite it being one of Leylands grim colours back in the day.
I've got a soft spot for harvest gold, it was the colour of my first mini 1000, including the olive interior. Admittedly I was guilty of changing the colour in the 80's.

#3 henryS

henryS

    Stage One Kit Fitted

  • Noobies
  • PipPipPip
  • 66 posts
  • Location: Melton Mowbray
  • Local Club: DCMOC(?)

Posted 17 November 2020 - 10:54 AM

Yea it’s not everyone’s cup of tea colour but I was drawn to the car and it’s originality!

It would be a shame to change it, although I do fancy a nice cream or traditional British Green colour.
The seats are so unworn and the carpets are in great condition. It even has the heated rear screen and little under dash bracket doe the switch.

#4 imack

imack

    Camshaft & Stage Two Head

  • TMF+ Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,859 posts
  • Location: Orpington, Kent

Posted 17 November 2020 - 11:33 AM

I repainted mine British Racing Green with Old English White roof in the 80's.
I still have the car today, there's still some harvest gold paint if you know where to look. Mine still has the HRW switch but it's used to operate the fuel pump now.

#5 slidehammer

slidehammer

    One Carb Or Two?

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,081 posts
  • Location: Surrey
  • Local Club: LSMOC

Posted 17 November 2020 - 03:01 PM

very nice original looking car you have there. I would keep it that way, once you alter it the history starts to get lost in my opinion.



#6 henryS

henryS

    Stage One Kit Fitted

  • Noobies
  • PipPipPip
  • 66 posts
  • Location: Melton Mowbray
  • Local Club: DCMOC(?)

Posted 17 November 2020 - 06:45 PM

Agreed. If I do change it, I may go manual but I’ll definitely keep the original engine with it so it can always go back to auto. But for the moment it’s full on restoration time.

Fixing everything back to as it left the factory :)

#7 mab01uk

mab01uk

    Moved Into The Garage

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 11,776 posts
  • Local Club: Mini Cooper Register

Posted 17 November 2020 - 08:05 PM

Automatic Minis are becoming rare and are worth preserving, some useful links below.

 

If you want any Auto info try the Automatic Mini Register forum:-

https://autominiregi....proboards.com/

 

Prototype Mini Automatic 1962:-

http://www.theminifo...automatic-1962/


Edited by mab01uk, 17 November 2020 - 08:07 PM.


#8 henryS

henryS

    Stage One Kit Fitted

  • Noobies
  • PipPipPip
  • 66 posts
  • Location: Melton Mowbray
  • Local Club: DCMOC(?)

Posted 17 November 2020 - 08:14 PM

Oh cool thanks.

I’m all for keeping it original and happy to stay auto. I can always buy another mini to do different things with.

Apparently this is about one of 20 left on the road..

#9 mab01uk

mab01uk

    Moved Into The Garage

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 11,776 posts
  • Local Club: Mini Cooper Register

Posted 18 November 2020 - 09:54 AM

The key to keeping a Mini auto healthy is regular oil and filter changes!



#10 henryS

henryS

    Stage One Kit Fitted

  • Noobies
  • PipPipPip
  • 66 posts
  • Location: Melton Mowbray
  • Local Club: DCMOC(?)

Posted 18 November 2020 - 10:51 AM

@mab01uk so I have heard! Came from a loving family so hopefully it’s been well looked after and I’ll keep doing the same.

#11 Retro_10s

Retro_10s

    Moderator

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 10,129 posts
  • Location: Bromsgrove

Posted 19 November 2020 - 07:43 AM

fanastic!! look forward to seeing more



#12 leyland73

leyland73

    Mini Mad

  • TMF+ Member
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 158 posts
  • Location: belfast

Posted 19 November 2020 - 07:51 AM

Lovely original car, you can do what you want with it, but if it was mine keep it original, good luck with the restoration.




0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users