6 replies to this topic

[Simple5teph]

So I’ve been lurking these forums for a couple of months now so thought I’d finally say hello 👋

I’ve had an interest in minis since I was a kid due to my eccentric uncle who had around 9 in various stages of repair and I remember going round and pretending to drive them in his garage.
I got hold of my first mini about 3 years ago although this is a modern BMW Cooper S which I love and is perfect for my daily driver.

Last year my uncle sadly passed away and his minis were left to my mum to find homes for, some of them went to a couple of his friends and others went to people who were looking for a project, but one of them (A 1985 Mini Mayfair) found it’s way onto my driveway!

So far I have had the bodywork patched up and painted, new interior carpets, full deep clean of seats and door cards (may need new foams in the seats at some point) and updated a couple of modern comforts like replacing the ash tray for a phone holder/charger and added a more modern but retro stereo which I’ve fitted into the original under dash Motorola facia and then had speakers under the rear seats. I also added a central rear brake light just because.

I’m hoping to get the engine looked at next as although it runs well the overall engine is looking very tired with corrosion, flaky paint and just the usual grime, I’d also like to try and get more power out of it to make it a more usable car day to day if I fancy something a bit more fun on the way to work.

Anyway I look forward to delving deeper into the minisphere



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[Ethel]

That's a little time machine, looks like it's driven straight out of the 80s!

[MatthewsDad]

Welcome. That's a nice mini. There's lots of mini activity in our region and good specialists to provide help when you might need it. Also plenty of general car shows and cars and coffee meets where you'll always find a mini or two.

[Simple5teph]

That's a little time machine, looks like it's driven straight out of the 80s!

Yeah I had all the ideas of the usual bonnet stripes, chrome work, spotlights, minilites and cobra seats but I honestly like the idea of having the production line look, plus I prefer things like the velour seats instead of vinyl leatherette and the Ritz alloys over the minilites,
Still tempted to do something to the engine that won’t be very original as I’d love to get it more reliable any usable day to day

Welcome. That's a nice mini. There's lots of mini activity in our region and good specialists to provide help when you might need it. Also plenty of general car shows and cars and coffee meets where you'll always find a mini or two.

Yeah I hope to get out in it now the weather is improving, just need to get it through an MOT

[Ethel]

Velour's the nicest seat fabric, millions of settees can't be wrong, but I guess that creates an image problem to some.  There are comfier, safer, seats than the low backs the Min was designed for, but they make access more tricky.

 

The beauty of old tech is it can be so easily diagnosed & fixed, but you could look at an electronic conversion kit to replace the distributor points & maybe taking some of the load of the switch gear with some solenoids - starter (probably is already), headlights.

[GT Jimmy]

Your mini looks a cracker, get the mot done and enjoy. There's a few groups locally if you need advice

[Aly-g]

welcome to TMF, nice tidy looking car you've got there and nice that its being kept in the family.

 

 

Allan