6 replies to this topic

[stevie77]

Hi all, I have just recently put a new front end on my Mini. It then went to a body shop to be repainted. I collect it next week.
I have always liked the look of the mk3 cooper s, and was wondering whether to do a replica.
But now can’t decide if it is worth it or not.
The car is a 1995 Mini Sprite SPI.
I brought the car completely standard, so not sure whether it would be better to just leave it standard?
I have no plans to sell it in the future, but things do change, so would it ruin the car?
Any advice most appreciated.

https://ibb.co/PzD7Mmnp

[beardylondon]

What you like others may not, to state the obvious. A 90s Sprite was the base model and some might argue the ugly and unloved among classic minis. But saying that so many got modified or made into Cooper replicas there’s probably not many left untouched.
My advice is, if planning to sell (which you said you aren’t), leave it standard and then much easier to sell. But as you aren’t, do whatever you like to it and enjoy it. The process is actually very enjoyable IMHO.

[stevie77]

What you like others may not, to state the obvious. A 90s Sprite was the base model and some might argue the ugly and unloved among classic minis. But saying that so many got modified or made into Cooper replicas there’s probably not many left untouched.
My advice is, if planning to sell (which you said you aren’t), leave it standard and then much easier to sell. But as you aren’t, do whatever you like to it and enjoy it. The process is actually very enjoyable IMHO.

Thanks for the advice beardy. As you said, as it was a base model and not a special edition, I thought it wouldn’t really matter if I modified it, but then as many have been modified, I thought it might be a shame, so just leave it standard. Sounds like it could be a bit different to leave it standard!
Will have a good think about it.

[beardylondon]

No worries!

 

Thinking about it, like many on here, I have done both. As back in the 90's I had a Checkmate, so it was 1000cc, but it was similar to a mainstream Cooper. Yes it was a Special Edition, but based on a City, the base model at the time. I did, for my sins, actually make it in a Cooper mainstream lookalike, as it didn't take much, some bonnet stripes, white mirrors and side decals, chrome grille and then I fitted a stage 1 on it, job done. FYI this was before the Mk1 in my profile pic.

 

Anyway, fast forward to 2019, I bought a very good and original 1990 Mainstream Cooper and went to great lengths to make it as factory original as possible. I have since sold it, to someone on here in fact.

 

Back to my original point, do what you want, life's too short. 

[stevie77]

No worries!

Thinking about it, like many on here, I have done both. As back in the 90's I had a Checkmate, so it was 1000cc, but it was similar to a mainstream Cooper. Yes it was a Special Edition, but based on a City, the base model at the time. I did, for my sins, actually make it in a Cooper mainstream lookalike, as it didn't take much, some bonnet stripes, white mirrors and side decals, chrome grille and then I fitted a stage 1 on it, job done. FYI this was before the Mk1 in my profile pic.

Anyway, fast forward to 2019, I bought a very good and original 1990 Mainstream Cooper and went to great lengths to make it as factory original as possible. I have since sold it, to someone on here in fact.

Back to my original point, do what you want, life's too short.

Yes you’re right, life’s too short. Whatever I decide to do, I’ll still have a nice looking Mini. Thanks 👍

[Ethel]

How far do you want to go? There's not that much difference externally: side repeaters are a legal requirement strictly speaking & Mk3 (chrome) furniture is the widest available. The biggest expense would be 10 inch wheels & brakes & the most work (for least benefit?) would be the switchgear & supporting electrics.

[stevie77]

How far do you want to go? There's not that much difference externally: side repeaters are a legal requirement strictly speaking & Mk3 (chrome) furniture is the widest available. The biggest expense would be 10 inch wheels & brakes & the most work (for least benefit?) would be the switchgear & supporting electrics.

I think more of the external look of the mk3 cooper s is what I’m after. No arches, the cooper s steel wheels. Twin fuel tanks would be nice, but not that easy to do, unless I went for a dummy fuel tank nozzle. And of course the chrome furniture.
Internally I wouldn’t be too concerned about making it exact, maybe a change to older style seats.
Thanks for your reply 👍