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5K Mile Mini City E Refresh


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#1 se7enmvu

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Posted 07 January 2021 - 12:50 PM

I'm lucky to own a 1983 mini city that was laid up in 1994 with just 4013 miles on the clock when the original owner became too old to drive.
The mini was left in storage in an air raid shelter behind the local garage that used to look after it.
I became aware of the mini in 2002 when I got a Saturday job at the garage.
I kept in touch with the garage owner after I left and when they retired in 2014 I was able to buy the mini.
The hydraulics and tyres were shot and the cylinder head needed rebuilding but a year later the mini had its 1st mot in 20yrs.
The mini was undersealed and garaged from new and so thankfully rust hasn't took hold anywhere.
I've added 1000 miles to the odometer as it took part in MINIs 60th celebrations at Cowley and then on to imm in Bristol.
In May last year I began the task of removing the flaking underseal and restoring the subframes, suspension and brakes.
Hopefully the mini will be finished before its 38th birthday in February.
I'll begin to add photos as soon as I figure out how.

#2 se7enmvu

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Posted 07 January 2021 - 12:53 PM

Day I brought the mini home.

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#3 se7enmvu

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Posted 07 January 2021 - 12:56 PM

Again

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Edited by se7enmvu, 07 January 2021 - 01:00 PM.


#4 GraemeC

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Posted 07 January 2021 - 01:08 PM

That's a fantastic Mini- quite jealous of it!

You don't see many of the lower models so standard and unmolested.



#5 se7enmvu

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Posted 07 January 2021 - 02:04 PM

It really is factory fresh. Even still smells like a new car inside.
I was in two minds about working on it its that original.
But the underseal was quite flaky and I was worried moisture may get in or it could have been hiding rot.
It was a horrible job cleaning the underseal off and I still have the front wheel arches to do but so far its been solid.

#6 Revd

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Posted 07 January 2021 - 02:11 PM

Great find. I picked up an 87 Advantage last year with only 6000 miles from new, like you I have overhauled the brakes, don’t forget the rubber fuel hoses (including tank breather), mine looked ok but were starting to perish.

#7 Chris1275gt

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Posted 07 January 2021 - 02:22 PM

Nice car, everything comes to he who waits springs to mind.

Edited by Chris1275gt, 07 January 2021 - 02:23 PM.


#8 Viktor

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Posted 07 January 2021 - 06:20 PM

Great find! I will follow your progress.



#9 GT Jimmy

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Posted 07 January 2021 - 07:00 PM

I also had to wait around 8 years to get mine, but mine was rotten, nice find

#10 ads7

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Posted 08 January 2021 - 12:59 PM

That's amazing. Really happy for you

#11 Maccmike8

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Posted 08 January 2021 - 03:25 PM

That looks great.



#12 Sprinkler23

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Posted 08 January 2021 - 04:22 PM

Nice car! Any interior pics?

#13 absx2

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Posted 09 January 2021 - 09:53 AM

Great find. I picked up an 87 Advantage last year with only 6000 miles from new, like you I have overhauled the brakes, don’t forget the rubber fuel hoses (including tank breather), mine looked ok but were starting to perish.

Good call, the old hoses are not ethanol resistant and will perish very quickly so make sure they are marked suitable for unleaded.

 

Great mini by the way.



#14 ads7

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Posted 09 January 2021 - 11:32 AM

When you reapply protection to the underside use the more modern solutions. I used bilt hamber ub wax (dark brown finish which you may or may not want) but there are lots of great products and a wealth of advice here on tmf

#15 se7enmvu

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Posted 10 January 2021 - 09:09 PM

When you reapply protection to the underside use the more modern solutions. I used bilt hamber ub wax (dark brown finish which you may or may not want) but there are lots of great products and a wealth of advice here on tmf


I used the ub wax on my mpi a few years ago. Its good stuff. As the city is only going to get occasional summer use im leaving the underside unprotected. But I'm going to put the ub wax in any box section s and I'll thin it down abit and force it into seams.




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