Hi all, I'm brand new to everything here.
Like most kids, Christmas day was always one of my favourite days when I was growing up. All the family were around, all the tasty food, new toys... and The Italian Job was always on TV. I watched it every year, got it on VHS. I've watched it so many times I can practically quote the entire film. And we all know the best bit of that film. I would build little minis out of lego, I built the Legionnaire coach for them to drive up into. I have 3 little die cast mini replicas from the film, and when I went to Turin a couple of years back, those cars came with me. I spent half the time there hunting down the film locations (it's amazing walking around a corner and going "That's the church!" or "Oh, that's the balcony where Camp Freddy stood!"), and tried to get a fun little photo in each spot with my little toy minis.
One of my former colleagues owned a 1991 Mini Mayfair, and he would occasionally drive it in and visit us after his retirement. The last time I saw him, I was talking to him about my love of these little cars, and he told me to "make him an offer". It's got under 25K miles on the clock, and has recently passed an MOT, but sadly is not in the best of states. He's old, doesn't have the energy to look adfter it properly, and is extremely thrifty, so didn't do anything beyond the bare minimum to keep it on the road. His benchmark figure was "less than £4K", as he'd seen one for sale for that price "in much better condition, but with a few more miles on it".
I thought about it, and decided that for a few grand, I would unfortunately be much better off buying a newer car that fulfills my needs.
Sadly, the owner died last month, and I attended his funeral yesterday, along with my other colleagues.
After the service, I was talking with his friend (who is dealing with the estate) about the last time we spoke, and I mentioned our conversation about the car.
He was very interested by this, as there is A LOT to sort out (the guy was a serious hoarder), and the only thoughts about the mini were taking it to a breakers yard. He took my number, and said that there is a strong possibility that I could acquire the mini once everything was sorted out- my former colleague would be horrified at the thought of ANYTHING being thrown away, let alone his car, and would have loved to see it go to a good home where it will be loved.
I would just love to know: what am I potentially getting myself in for?
I have never done any work on a car before.
I am a design fabricator by trade. I can weld both MIG and TIG, use a lathe, mill, any power tool you care to name, and have access to 3D printing and CNC machines. That side of things doesn't bother me at all.
My love for classic minis only extends as far as the design. That may horrify some purists out there, but I have no qualms about doing any upgrades to the running components or interior. I would much rather own something reliable and comfortable than a restored-to-factory car.
Should everything go smoothly with acquiring the car (I highly doubt the V5C or any documentation will ever be found, the house was full from floor to ceiling), my first action will be to take it to a local specialist, who have said they can give it a once over and advise me on condition and what needs addressing straight away.
As far as I know, it is unmodified, and has a 998cc engine.
In terms of making it into a usable car, what would people recommend to start with?
I know that: the rubber seals on the doors/windows are starting to perish.
It's missing the passenger wingmirror.
The driver's door doesn't shut flush with the body (this is the most concerning to me).
My budget will not be huge, as I think it will take time, and I need to buy a car for every day use, and also possibly move house within the year... I have plenty of time to do it, and would rather take the time to do it well and spend what's needed when I can.
Thanks in advance,
Eggers.
, so I won't be able to keep it disassembled for too long! I just need to mak sure my current project list is completed before I take this on... But no doubt I will pick up a couple more projects on the way!
