Hello everyone, I'm Stewart from Glasgow and I've just taken pssession of a '79 850 saloon. This is my 3rd mini. My first car was a '71 van and about 20 years ago I had a Mk2 saloon which succumbed to tinworm and life circumstances: a massive regret. This "new" motor, needless to say has a bit of rust too but I'm better placed to deal with it this time round as I've got a pretty decent workshop and storage. The A-posts need replaced as do both wings which were butchered by an overenthusiastic boyracer type who had it previously and, before getting it on the road, added spacers, arches and lots of daft bits saying cooper. Ghastly. They're all being removed and thankfully the rear arches havent been adulterated. Phew. Engine runs, brakes work and most of the electrics seem to operate. It was originally that yuk chocolate-pudding brown that defines the 70's, then someone painted it a matt mid purple and , latterly a faux cooper green. Chequered roof. Personally I/mnot too worried about paintwork. A good solid reliable car comes first, then, when I'm totally happy with it, I'll give it a spray. By which time I'll have changed my mind about colour a dozen times... I am going to make a few chamges,however as I prefert the older stling. Wavy grille and moustache, lip off of bonnet and I have an original walnut dash from an Elf that I've been hoarding fro about 30 years. I've also still got the original AA and RAC badges from the 71 van. I've got a period cassette player and wil get a radio the same while hiding a bluetooth connection away somwhere. Although fo be honest, I find it moreenjoyable just listenig to the machinery. It's an Austin, so I'm sticking an old Mk1 Austin badge on the bonnet. May get an early boot lid too - I like them. Will get rid of the switchesand replace with rockers and, if I'm flush, I'd go for the light bulb indicator stalk. Foot operated high beam as an option. I'm going to stay with the 850 engine for now, especially with fuel prices. Don't know if the valves have been done for unleaded. So it's not going to be one for the rivet-counters. It's my idea of what a mini "is" (within my budget) and how I remember them. Period accesories mak abig difference. I like my classics to be "authentic" rather than "original" i.e. the sort of car that would have been driven at the time when folk weren't so precious rather than soeething that came out of a brochure and never left the forecourt. Although I like original too. Anyway, that s plenty for now. Will work out how to post pics etc and, if anyone's local, feel free to gimme a shout.
Cheers for now, Stewart
(I'm cyclops because I lost an eye to the rusty floor of a 71 mgbgt and a naughty grinder 
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I'm just behind Firhill Stadium but have a workshop in Port Dundas just off jct16 of the M8 if you're passing
