10 replies to this topic

[Bluestar69]

01/02/2023

 

Hi, last week I purchased a Mini from a good friend. The car had not been driven in several years. I had AAA carry it to my house. I put air in tires, installed a new battery and got it to turn over . I drove it around the block and filled it with 3 gallons of premium.  It’s pulling to the left when braking and it shifts well.

I will change the oil and filter today.

 

I really don’t know what the Mini is and I’m hoping you can help me understand what I’ve got myself into. Photos here: https://photos.app.g...tcFbVtd58m8okdA

 

It is registered as a 1969 and has a new Heritage body and it’s labeled as a 1300.  It has the Blue Star script and Germany warning decal on the gas tank.

 

It came with an aluminium head in a box, a Big SU, a header and sport exhaust and a bunch of filters, etc. The previous owner bought the car in 2001 via EBAY from Banks Garage a company in the UK that did the restoration.   They installed a Haritage body and sub frames.Their paper work shows an engine number  of 99H159H36921. The owner thinks it has a 948 head and that’s why he acquired the aluminium head.

Here’s are the numbers:

MA2S6S644722A

Engine

12a2ejo2  326790

COMPUTER

ROVER MEMS

MNE101170  0866 4047

Mileage  28,769  01/01/2023

 

If you could advise me either by email or conversion I would be grateful.  I’ve restored several cars and motorcycles and you might enjoy this video on my MGB: https://youtu.be/G1NSw7cCrow

 

Cheers

Tim Clark

307 Hill Street

Capitola, CA 95010  [email protected]  831 419 7669

 

 

[nicklouse]

Well, the Bluestar was an export only model. 
 

it was made for the German market so as it a LHD that’s a good sign. Also as the Germans are rather particular about things not being modified as it causes issues with the TÜV

 

There is some info here https://en.wikipedia...ons#Export-only

 

and there is a Mini Special editions face book group.

[imack]

1969??? Is that a typo?

[1984mini25]

1969??? Is that a typo?

 

Its clearly an late 90's spi with an older logbook, as you could only export a mini into the usa if it was older than 25 years... The vin number stamped in the scuttle channel would give an indication to the cars true/original registration. 

[nicklouse]

I should have read the whole post. 
 

it looks like it has the correct 1275 SPi engine for the Blue star. Which is a 1991 build car.

 

it has acquired more spots than it should have.

 

some of the interior is not correct but most of it can not be seen.

 

the sales Brochure  http://www.minipassi...Star 1996 D.pdf

Edited by nicklouse, 13 January 2023 - 09:28 PM.

[Kam]

As you have the paperwork/receipts for the heritage body that Banks garage put in I would send them an email, they should remember significant work like that especially for a particular model or should at least be able to give you some more info

 

I think you can check the chassis/vin number as 1984 said above, we know it’s a spi engine, the seat belt stamp would give you at least the year 

 

Not sure what’s going on with the 1969 typing though…can’t be an 89 or 99 

[nicklouse]

As you have the paperwork/receipts for the heritage body that Banks garage put in I would send them an email, they should remember significant work like that especially for a particular model or should at least be able to give you some more info

 

I think you can check the chassis/vin number as 1984 said above, we know it’s a spi engine, the seat belt stamp would give you at least the year 

 

Not sure what’s going on with the 1969 typing though…can’t be an 89 or 99 

It will be a dodgy import at some time to get it into the states. Also the original German paper will have said MK2. The Germany system only classed Minis as MK1s and everything else is a MK2.

[Kam]

Lovely MGB and video by the way, always appreciate a nice story behind the car 

 

And is that really the original paint? 

[Kam]

It will be a dodgy import at some time to get it into the states. Also the original German paper will have said MK2. The Germany system only classed Minis as MK1s and everything else is a MK2.

 

 

Well the last owner bought the car in 2001 through eBay from a UK based company who done quite significant work using a heritage shell 

 

And the OP bought the car a couple of weeks ago from his good friend, so his friend should know quite a bit about the car unless they acquired the car at any time after 2001 

[Itsaminithing]

Tim, unfortunately that's not a 1969 Mini it's a German 1996 'Blue Star' with a fake ID.

There isn't one single 1969 part on that vehicle, even the VIN plate isn't original....

      it isn't even the correct one for a 1969 Mini, that style of plate was only fitted to 1959-65 Morris Minis.

[Bluestar69]

Lovely MGB and video by the way, always appreciate a nice story behind the car 

 

And is that really the original paint? 

Yes, it is.