Mornin'!

Dax should be on the road by spring then I really need to start looking for a new car to bomb around in when the weathers bad. This becomes clear when you spend half the time cycling to work sideways

Wont have a lot of money (have to save for uni..again) but really like owning "special" cars. 2 doors is a must.

Soo I'm starting to investigate classic minis, any tips? pros/cons? is there a standard route that can be taken to "improve" them? Worth buying one if I can't weld?!

Cheers

[Edited on 22/12/09 by cd.thomson]

Easy to improve them!

Rip out the engine in the front and stick a Honda VTEC in the back, great improvement!

However, answering your other question, its not worth buying one if you can't weld!

Hmm there’s not much metal at all in a mini so you’d have to buy one that was in very good condition, even then their very flimsy.

I actually passed one on the way to work in the snow and I’m sure its great fun, what puts me off is getting hit by anything else as you’d be better just bailing out and taking your chances.

quote:

---

Originally posted by carpmart
However, answering your other question, its not worth buying one if you can't weld!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by cd.thomson

quote:

---

Originally posted by carpmart
However, answering your other question, its not worth buying one if you can't weld!

---

nuff said!

might be worth learning though? I mean I've heard rumours that people build entire cars from separate bits of metal , I'm sure patchworking a mini is a doddle in comparison!

[Edited on 22/12/09 by cd.thomson]

---

Hi i have had numerous minis best car ever made yes they rust and build quality on late ones is crap but can be made to out handle anything i have seen off a lot of so called gti hot hatches still own 2 as well as the 7 just buy 1

What about another 205?

Granted a non GTI 205 may not be "special", but they're dead cheap and don't suffer from tin worm like other cars. The little 1.3 TU series engine can be quite peppy and as you know the cars weigh less than a tin of biscuits.

IMO building my locost chassis was a LOT easier than doing panelwork in a paper thin rusty monocoque using pattern panels profiled by a blind chinaman.

I can actually afford the insurance on a 205 gti despite my accident but fancy something different.

Sounds like mini's aren't the option to go for though.

I'd also considered a fiat 126 but id want to be heavily modifying it from the off whereas id be happy with the mini as standard until I had some more wonga to throw at it.

back to the drawing board!

[Edited on 22/12/09 by cd.thomson]

find one to have ago in that will make your mind up bet you love it

Hillman imp?!

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Whippy
I actually passed one on the way to work in the snow and I’m sure its great fun, what puts me off is getting hit by anything else as you’d be better just bailing out and taking your chances.

---

hillman imps seem to be suprisingly rare!

I think im going to try and get on a welding course at college and see how well I pick it up, then decide on the mini option then.

I could always buy a rotten mini and buy a reshell and just move the parts across!

quote:

---

Originally posted by cd.thomson

I could always buy a rotten mini and buy a reshell and just move the parts across!

---

Mk1 escort

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORD-ESCORT-mk1-1600cc_W0QQitemZ130353461932QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item1e59abfaac

or a

Mk2 escort

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mk2-1976-FORD-ESCORT-WHITE_W0QQitemZ300377703216QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item45efe80330

When it rusts into the ground, turn it into a Locost

Only problem is the 5 family doors, but who cares!?!

[Edited on 22/12/09 by hicost blade]

[Edited on 22/12/09 by hicost blade]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Whippy

quote:

---

Originally posted by cd.thomson

I could always buy a rotten mini and buy a reshell and just move the parts across!

---

thought you wanted to buy a car to use while the weathers bad? it will be months just to get that done and far more expensive than just buying a good example in the first place.

---

There is a garage on the A46 south of Nottingham near Ratcliffe on the Wreake that has loads of old mini's stacked on top of each other.
Bet you could get a cheap project there.
Steve

quote:

---

Originally posted by cd.thomson
ETA- I do like 2 door MK1 escorts which could be had for a similar price to the minis im looking at, but I presume they take just as much work.

---

I bought a classic Mini last week. I wouldn't even consider one with a rotten body ( i hate welding old thin panels), which is most of them, but there are a few around that aren't rotten, recon to pay £1.5k + for one that doesn't need lots of work.

However, they are really cheap to repair and SO much fun to drive. Drove mine back from Marlborough last Tuesday and really enjoyed bombing along the A272 back home.

I paid £4k for a 2000 W reg Cooper Sport, FSH, completely immaculate, 60k on the clock, new MOT and tax and even a new set of tyres not even put on the car yet. Owned by a mini club lady, who cried as I drove it away, it was very well loved. Book price is at least £5k on that car, just bought it at the right time of year.

Gonna fit the Stage 3 kit in a few months time, takes it up to 90bhp which should be a laugh!!

It's a bit like driving a kit car, really brings a smile to your face, put you can use it all year round

Minis are easy.
1. Learn to weld.
2. Only bits to watch out for are between front and rear bumper.

I wish I had more time to finish mine. I'm assuming Jasper doesn't want to come and see mine now so if you are intested I can sort you some pics out.

[Edited on 22/12/09 by DarrenW]

Yeah - sorry Darren, didn't hear from you and saw one locally at a good price that needed nothing done, I'm sure you understand

Now if you had a been a bit closer ....

[Edited on 22/12/09 by Jasper]

Chap I work with at college (panelbeater) has just bought an 83 mini 1000 as an interesting project. He's spent nearly £1200 on panels so far and hasn't even started welding yet

1275 engines getting rare now, he paid 450 for full running gear out of low mileage MG metro.

I'm sure it'll be nice when done though, you've gotta love the mini.

Craig - What about a Mk1 Golf GTi?

sod the mini get a imp sport

[Edited on 22/12/09 by imp paul]

Get a mini. it will put a smile on your face all day long. An imp would be great too but they are like rocking horse poo!! and have never driven an imp before!
my mate bought a 98 cooper mpi. drives beautiful too. think it cost him just under 2000k

Rob

quote:

---

Originally posted by McLannahan
Craig - What about a Mk1 Golf GTi?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by cd.thomson

quote:

---

Originally posted by McLannahan
Craig - What about a Mk1 Golf GTi?

---

guys, you're swaying me back the other way now! Don't have space for a project until the Dax is done anyway but £2k sounds like my budget.

I couldn't get a mk1 golf after my 205! Blasphemy!!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by McLannahan

quote:

---

Originally posted by cd.thomson

quote:

---

Originally posted by McLannahan
Craig - What about a Mk1 Golf GTi?

---

guys, you're swaying me back the other way now! Don't have space for a project until the Dax is done anyway but £2k sounds like my budget.

I couldn't get a mk1 golf after my 205! Blasphemy!!

---

Cough.....

---

It sounds like what you really want is one to work on after the Dax is done, and something for now to get you to work.

In which case get the mini, but consider (if it's not running or NEEDS some work) getting any old shitbox for now just for transport

Mini's aren't that tough to repair, even if you have a MIG, it's worth borrowing or hiring a decent spot welder to fix front wings and any of the other exposed weld-flange panels. If you prep the surrounding panels well the repair work goes very quickly.

As for getting the front "jigged" as MrWhippy mentioned, it's not really a huge issue. The front subframe bolts to the upper bulkhead and bodyshell even without the front inner and outer wings in place and this gives you decent reference points to line up the front -- most troubles are as a result of cheap pattern panels.

If the upper front subframe mounting points are rotten, find another car. Be suspect of a car fitted with oversills as well (no square drain holes), they're a bodge, can hide a lot of rust and once fitted cause a lot of swearing to remove neatly and get right -- especially if the rotten old sill was not trimmed away before fitting.

t

linkydoodles

if anyone knows of a mini with a sturdy shell, running okay then link me in.

Interior/spec not a huge issue if the above criteria are met as I want it as a long-term, driveable, project cheers guys.

I looked at that on PH Craig, and to be honest I'm not sure I would buy a car of a guy who photographed the interior looking such a state, but the exterior does look nice. The engine's been messed with as well....

Keep your eye on Ebay, that's where I found mine, it didn't sell at £4.5k so bid her down to £4k.

Will do Jasper,

For some reason I'm always attracted to adverts with one dodgy pic and an acknowledgment of some bad stuff (i.e. bit of non-critical rust) but I am put off by people who put ~~~L00K#~~~ in the heading

Mine will make a good project for someone. 1996 sidewalk limited edition (1275 spi). Most of the structural work done. Happy to send you some pics if interested. Its got quite a lot of aftermarket goodies and a great orignal interior. Very nice wheels etc. Back end is rebuilt - just needs re-assembling. A little welding to complete but fairly easy stuff.


Jasper - no probs. You mustnt have got my message. Been busy with new business (dont get much chance to log on and blackberry doesnt like U2U's) but on holiday now . Hope the cooper serves you well.

Hi darren, certainly interested enough to see pictures and get some more details. Email me at cd(dot)thomson(at)gmail(dot)com

quote:

---

Originally posted by cd.thomson
a bit of non-critical rust

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by cd.thomson

I'm sure patchworking a mini is a doddle in comparison!

---

constructive

Welding up a scrap motor is nothing like welding up a Locost. The steel used is much thinner, usually formed into complex shapes and the stuff behind it is either extremely rusty as well or flammable.

Unlike as some on here seem to think, roughly welding up some new 16G box section into a chassis does not make you a competent welder, and the material you will be dealing with in a used Mini is nowhere near as forgiving as 16G box.

What is non-critical rust? Any rust will be expensive to deal with properly.

Any more constructive?

£1800 for a 15 year old car which needs new wings, front panel and A panels at least?

How about something that's more reliable, faster, more comfortable, able to fit more than two midgets, capable of carrying something, uses less fuel, has a functioning heater, isn't rusty and costs much less? Best of all its a project car! Well it needs a new clutch, which is much easier than welding any car ever.

eBay!

mini=coffin and a rusty one too

still good fun cars with handling to save you from almost anything just never hit anything solid

my first car was a 1275 gt which i loved but after i see one that hit a saab up the arse at most 20mph i sold mine and then went looking for a bigger car

I didn't mean any offence dlatch. I suppose the question about "why a mini and not a volvo" is similar to "why a dax and not an elise/vx220".

Not one I can easily answer, but cars are one of the few things I take real pleasure in, especially if they're a bit special.

I know its not the same, but I did partially restore a 2.8i capri before my kit came along, where I had someone else weld up the rust after I stripped to bare metal and prepared the areas for repair. So I do have experience with rot.

As far as safety goes, I couldnt agree more! One of the first things I want to do is fit a full cage.

I will try and post a small picture of our one.

1976, 998cc one owner from new, came with a full service history (32 years !) 10months tax & MOT, original bill of sale etc, completely loved and un molested, i got offered it as the owner wanted it to go to a good home & at £200 i couldnt say no

I think it is showing in this thread that you either love them or hate them - i always said i would have another and when i got offered our one i snapped it up and gave it to my other half for her birthday. She loves it and is really into the car scene now sneaky aye ?

Most people say they are unreliable but i never had a problem with any of the ones i owned, they just need a bit of looking after here and there.

I say go for it, they have their faults but i managed to get lucky with this one, garaged all its life, little bit of rust but amazing considering its age. its even the same age/colour as my 1st car.

As for safety etc, 7's are not exactly up there with the mega safe cars but we are all still interested or building or driving them.

Good luck

Hope these pictures work.
Rescued attachment Resized side view.jpg

Check out the lovely Poo Brown vinyl
Rescued attachment Resized interior.jpg

Sorry, couldn't have a mini thread without some pictures
Rescued attachment Resized front corner.jpg

They are really pretty horrible to work on and maintain.
1275 A series engine can be a pain the back side with regard to piston rings problems head gasket failure, exhaust and brakes need constant attention. Some models of SU HS4 carb with a thermostat in the jet can be trouble some unless modified by fitting an earlier type of jet.
Engine mounts (truly horrible job) and ball joints are major and frequent MOT problems


1275 A+ engine as in the Metro is much better but not perfect.
850, 998 and 1098 engines are near bullet proof.

Mmmmm Leyland Beige

Yep, cant beat a bit of 'Sandglow', apparently its the same paint they use for the Camel trophy landrovers !

My other half calls it babysick beige