9 replies to this topic

[doug1e]

hello,  I was on the look out for a wee mini that i could run around in and not worry about the weather, basicly a bit of a running moted project.

After looking at a few and missing out on 1 i came upon a advert for what looked like a decent mini with a bad advert.

what i found was a totaly mint 81 mini city with all its original panels and paint and interior including the big bus steering wheel.   with 32k miles.  

obv i bought it and brought it home and to say its a good un maybe doing it a bit of a diservice to be honest.

no rust anywere  not even a bubble,  original paint on the sills  and a collectors car in all its glory.   

10 inch wheels  the original city decals/pinstripes down the sides. ( paperwork for cooper s front brake conversion is the only 'mod')  oh apart from a origanal am/lw radio and  rear shelf speaker

 

now im in 2 minds ... I want to run it  and mod it etc but know the wee car should be kept as is.    it  drives like a mini did back in the day and is smooth as butter with supple suspension and a quietish standard exhaust..... no arch kit  no race wheels  no race steering wheel lol.    center speedo and heater works perfect which was a surprise to be honest.   

 

will get pics up of it when i work out how to.

 

[doug1e]

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[sonscar]

Stunning motor,difficult choice.It is only a car though so enjoy it,Steve..

[Aly-g]

that looks a tidy car, I would not mess with it, get yourself another mini and mod that to how you want.

 

Allan

[Hpal]

that looks a tidy car, I would not mess with it, get yourself another mini and mod that to how you want.

 

Allan

Agree totally, leave this one as is, and get another one to work on over a longer period.

[Steam]

Yep, a period survivor and the exact same age as my first Mini . An X reg.
Keep it exactly as is, buy a lesser car to adulterate to you own preference.

[slidehammer]

It is a great survivor and Minis this original are extremely rare, especially the more basic models which have a charm all of their own. It would be criminal to mess with it now. Go and buy and more main stream model and mod that if you feel the need.

[stuart bowes]

I would argue it depends how much you paid for it, if it was a bit of a steal (a few grand or so) then I can't see anything wrong with doing a few tasteful mods that don't affect the bodywork and keeping the original parts to put back on if you felt like you need to

 

if it had a museum-piece price tag I would obviously be far more cautious and just drive it a few times a year, garaged nice and dry all other times, and get something else for the fun

 

the good thing is they are literally the worlds easiest car to modify and work on, and equally easy to put back to normal again

Edited by stuart bowes, 01 July 2022 - 02:12 PM.

[mab01uk]

Rare Mini, strongly advise yo leave it as is and keep the mileage as low as possible, it will only increase in value. Interesting to see it has Cooper S ventilated steel wheels fitted. Standard 10" Mini steel rims don't have the holes. Not a problem but the S rims are usually only fitted when Cooper S disc brakes have been fitted instead of drum brakes.

Edited by mab01uk, 01 July 2022 - 05:51 PM.

[doug1e]

Rare Mini, strongly advise yo leave it as is and keep the mileage as low as possible, it will only increase in value. Interesting to see it has Cooper S ventilated steel wheels fitted. Standard 10" Mini steel rims don't have the holes. Not a problem but the S rims are usually only fitted when Cooper S disc brakes have been fitted instead of drum brakes.

the front has the cooper s discs,   I plan on basicly replacing all the rubber mounts, clutch master and slave with fittings and hose's  getting her properly waxoiled underneath with clear waxoil   and get the paint properly detailed and ceramic coated.   keeping it standard  ( prob fit a radio to be honest) and running it every summer