Classic Car - Mini Project

[JonB_5]

Hi All,

Been a bit bored lately so decided to buy a classic mini, wondered if any one knew anything about them?

My plan is to completely strip it, paint, new suspension, brakes, engine - the hole works.

Just need to find a decent mini to start with, anyone in the know?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks
Jon

[Damon]

yes...

go for it. I love the old shape mini, especially when they have been tuned. Stick a new lump in it altogether, clutch, fattter tyres, stiff suspension, straight through exhaust.

I'm sure any half decent mini will do, just make sure it is structuarlly sound.

Post pics.

You have no choice but to get it british racing green

[JonB_5]

Racing green is up on the list - 1 thing is that I want it to have racing strips.

I also like the paint job of the shelby mustang in 'Gone in 60 Second', thought that might look cool with the gun metal grey and black racing strips.

My girlfriend also like the numbers on the doors, so that may well be included.

Anyone know of any minis up for sale in the south.

Thanks

Jon

[Finglonga]

If you find one check for rot, they are getting long in the tooth now and finding a decent one wont be easy.
They are buggers for it if not looked after. Rear brakes are agricultural as well and a bugger to adjust. Working on the engine is not the easiest job either unless you want to take off the grill every time.
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[AJI]

Buy Mini magazines. Chock full of classifieds, tips and advice, how-tos, ideas and trader ads. These are the two high sellers in the UK:

https://www.minimag.co.uk/
https://www.miniworld.co.uk/

Nice plan though, I'd love a Mini to play around with.


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[mr jamez]

I used to own one, restored it then crashed it

What you want is a good shell, as body repairs and paint is what costs money on old cars. I'd suggest buying a incomplete project, probably a rolling shell, that has already been properly repaired and painted.

They rot everywhere, there isn't a part on a mini that won't rot so you have to check the car very carefuly. Sadly they also carry a big premium nowadays, I love them but I can't justify that sort of money on a mini. They are a hoot though when they are working

If I were on the look out for an older classic I'd probably go for a opel kadett, excellent value for money and RWD with a large choice of engine swaps.

www.miniresource.com
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NSR 125F > BROS 400 > NC30 > BROS 400 > Trumpet S4 > '97 VFR 750

[Robby]

As mr jamez said, they cost a lot these days. You might as well have a look for just about any 70s small car - most of them will be RWD and have the capacity to fit a larger, more modern engine (anything can be fitted with a welder and an angle grinder).

From what I've seen of minis, you spend a lot of money to get a very small, old, rusty car. You might as well spend less money to get another small, old, rusty car.

[Faraz]

Hey, my brother bought one too about 2 months ago.
You should go for the original red paint with two white stripes.
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[shaun_04]

Buy an edition of MiniWorld magazine - it will be full of adverts and inspiration for your project.
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[chrisw]

Heres the 'blog' of our build, hopefully have it finished (or close to) by the summer

LoveMutley

We my soon end up with another one as well.

Genrally I'd say avoid using eBay to source anything as things tend to go for far to much (scene tax etc...). And there are cheap ones/parts around if you look in the right places.

I would suggest that you read about them first tho as it seems most have been bodged at some point (filler and bad electrical work are the most common I've seen) and you need to know what you are looking for.[/url]

[ram_doom]

Do it properly and buy a classic beetle (not a superbeetle though)
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TL1000s, KDX200

[Whosthedaddy]

[gemma1675]

TBH you can't buy one without tin worm unless you are getting one which is already restored. So be prepared for rust, and make sure you get it cheap enough.

Use Miniworld and Mini Magazine and find your local mini club. They will know all the best local places to get parts or any work done that is beyond you.

This is our baby - 1970s clubman estates are not to everyones taste I know, but you'd be amazed how much space you get in there!

https://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e174/gemma1675/Junk/Clubbynoplate.jpg
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[ken]

Played about with one years ago... put a Austin 1300 motor in one with twin carbs, never took it seriously at the time, sub frames were the problem always rotting...
+ followed by ball joints top and bottom... the one I had, had drum brakes front and rear (like most of them did) and if you didn't get them adjusted correctly... it was weeeee time on heavy breaking.

it was the first car I owned legally on the road, used to take me gf to the beech for fish and chips a couple of times a week in it, it would break down at least twice a month especially if it rained, the dizzy was at the front just behind the grill, I was for ever taking the cap off, cleaning it and the contacts... In the end I put a mace bag over it to keep the water off. twas great fun though, but I wouldn’t want that hassle now, but their was great story’s to be told in the pub of a night time.

If you have the time and inclination I would defiantly go for it… lots of fun and learning to be had.
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[JonB_5]

The rust is what is concerning me, as the body work is pretty much the only bit I wont be able to do myself.

Just need to find a good example.

Thanks for all the reples.

Jon

[pwntifex]

[chrisw]

[Whosthedaddy]

You can get a complete mini body in fibre glass but you'll still have the problem of rotten sub frames and the like.

https://www.customminis.co.uk/id33.html
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[TheDonUK]

My housemate is a mini nutter... He had a classic mini, red with white stripes as in the above picture... very agressive flared arches and 17inch wheels rather than 13 or whatever they normally run on...

Great little car, pulled so much attention