I got me a MINI (update)

[goz_83]

I WAS looking for a 1979 or older mini. I am happy to pay up to and maybe a bit more than €1500 for said mini, depending on mechanical condition. I don't mind if the body is dinged up a bit, as long as the doors are still workeing and the floor isn't falling through. Some welding work is OK, but I don't want a sh1t box. I plan to get the car fully resprayed, because I will be turning it into a little ad vehicle. If anyone knows about one going, let me know. I will consider and 80-82 model, but I would prefer something regstered before 1980, to avoid the annual nct.

Update April 15th. This is what I got.

[Chris_Heilong]

Great idea for a project, did Dilogoat86 post over in 'other cars' section influence your decision.

[goz_83]

Great idea for a project, did Dilogoat86 post over in 'other cars' section influence your decision.

It's not really a project i'm looking for tbh...just something to stand out with a bit of class. I toyed with the idea of another FTO to advertise, but it wouldn't be the right car for many reasons.

I had already decided on what I wanted before I saw Dilogoats post. What he has is pretty much exactly what I would like. I have to be careful with my budget though. No matter what I buy, I will likely be spending another thousand getting the body work prepped and sprayed and that's before other expenses, which could pop up....tyres and a service for a start.

[goz_83]

I bought this => http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/4862013

Overall I am happy and got the price to €1900 over the phone based on everything checking out and there being no hidden problems.

Took an hour to get there today. Car was covered over...good sign of care I thought. Car was undersealed, but I will have it checked that it is done properly and no rust is hiding. Started to give her a decent looking over. Engine bushings need replacing, cheap fix. Drivers side repeaters did not work, nor did the reverse lights, but i'm sure this is an easy fix too, so I let that go, considering the price drop. Asked the owner if she had any work done, or if there was anything else I should know. She said the alternator was replaced and a gearbox plate sorted. On that note, I decided to buy it. Got back to Dublin and pulled in to have my wifes uncle to give it a quick look over. As he leaned in to check a switch, about a cup full of dirty water spilled into the drivers well. Obviously a leak. He wasn't in a position to check her out properly, so he said to watch that the temperature was ok on the final few minutes home and that he would look at it next week for me.

I decided to remove the DIY centre console and to my disgust, there was a tupper ware container underneath the leaking heater matrix catching the rusty water that was leaking from it. The tub had obviously fallen from where it was sitting and spilled all over the place. The owner obviously knew about this, but decided not to say anything. I am utterly disgusted at how dis-honest people can be. I still have the log book....and I have a good mind to go through the M50 toll a few times before transferring the name

I know, buyer beware and all that, but this is a problem that nobody would have found, at least not until the tupper ware container overflowed. It was hidden on purpose. I found a used matrix on Ebay I might just buy. It'll be around €100 delivered, but I can fit it myself.

[Chris_Heilong]

wow, busy day for you. So you got the mini, congrates. The seller lying is a pain but as longs as its affordable to fix then thats the main thing.

[Kace]

So are you going to call him about the matrix and the tupperware ? Maybe appeal to his honorable side and suggest that you are going to have to buy this for about €100 and that you will take the hit on the installation.

Worth seeing what the reaction is anyway I would have thought.

[goz_83]

So are you going to call him about the matrix and the tupperware ? Maybe appeal to his honorable side and suggest that you are going to have to buy this for about €100 and that you will take the hit on the installation.

Worth seeing what the reaction is anyway I would have thought.

I'm going to send a letter with a receipt of matrix. I took it apart and it turns out I don't need the whole unit, i only need the radiator, which is costing me €40 delivered, new. Minifix in Santry wanted €130 for a used unit . Thankfully it's a job I can do myself, but i'm hoping the owner will do the honorable thing and cover the cost of the part at least. It's probably a blessing in disguise, because I think they filed the system with tap water it's very brown and there is no coolant at all in it. The old matrix was dripping with what I can only guess is some kind of rad seal.

Anyway, upwards and onwards, I won't let this spoil my fun. I've order new chrome door handles and chrome handle seats to protect the paint work around the handle. A new chrome bootlid handle/lock....comes as a set, so one key for all locks. Also ordered chrome bullet mirrors. I'm doing a quick DIY job on the passenger door, which has rusted at the bottom. Hopefully it gets her through the nct and then the proper stripping and restoration begins.

[Dilogoat86]

I will advise two things with Minis.

1) Get everything new if you can afford it!

2) Get a bigger wallet.

In all serious though, they are not too expensive to maintain unless you go a bit mad and start replacing things all over the place.

Most parts I source from minispares.com. Ivan is a nice to deal with if you have any questions. If you need anything looked at on the car PM me and I'll meet you at my garage some Saturday and we can have a look.

Rust to watch for during this era is doors, scuttle panels and floors. I got my floors done with a guy I know and he's both reasonably priced and thorough.

If the car is on drums all round, consider a set of 7.5" Cooper S brakes (you'll need the full kit) just so you can stop if needed. I would also advise a stage 1 kit. Better power, economy and note.

[goz_83]

Cheers. She will be stripped, derusted and resprayed. She has front disc brakes. Not going to go mad on it, as it is only for advertising my business. The drivers side indicators are not working. Same with reverse lights and born is intermittent, but basically not working. Any ideas?

[goz_83]

Gremlins everywhere!

No drivers side indicators due to corrosion in fuse connector. Fixed.
No hazards due to incorrect flasher unit. Fixed.
No rear fog due to poor connection in boot. Fixed.
No reverse lights due to damaged reverse light switch and no luck finding the wires that are supposed to connect to said switch. To be fixed.
Needs replacement passenger door. Sourced for free from mini forum member.
Engine steady bushings worn. On order, easy fix.
Leaking heater matrix. Replaced.
No courtesy light. To be ignored.
It will need rear brake cylinders and exhaust replaced according to a mini mechanic.

[Dilogoat86]

The reverse light switch is in the gear selector. There are two wires that feed the circuit which can be easily seen if you're under the car. Work sounds fun, right up my street!

[goz_83]

The reverse light switch is in the gear selector. There are two wires that feed the circuit which can be easily seen if you're under the car. Work sounds fun, right up my street!

The damaged switch is removed. The wires that were supposed tonbe connected to it were not. They feed straight up to the cabin, a few inches in front of the gear stick, but they are not connected to anything other than a block connector. Do you know where the connecting wires should be? I'm guessing in the mess of wires under the dash.

[Dilogoat86]

I'll have a look at mine over the weekend. I can't remember off hand where they feed to, but probably the mess of cabling in the dash.

[goz_83]

So last week the mini was still in the middle of prepping and looked like



I then had to confirm the colour. Below was some inspiration.




At the end of the week, I was dropping up a couple of bits and this is how it was looking.




I'm pretty pleased with the colour. Suits the purpose and will stand out. The car is now done at the body shop and will be dropped into a mini specialist place is Santry, Dublin on Monday to have the back brakes sorted, a new stage 1 kit exhaust (inluding upgraded carb and air intake) and the reverse light switch is to be sorted too. NCT is on Wednesday. I haven't seen it finished and won't see it until i'm collecting from Santry tomorrow evening, or Tuesday.

[MY-JAP-MISTRESS]

that looks real sweet!!!

[Kace]

Stunning !

[goz_83]

I'm gutted!

So the mini was dropped off at the mini specialists in Santry. But the new rims ended up busting the front wheel arches. The arches need modifying and the mini place is doing this for me. It's getting some work done and I've been advised to do the nct anyway, with the old rims on. The roof still needs to be finished and the car itself will need to be sprayed again after it's fixed. What a sh1tty set back. The overall look is great, but this has put a real downer on my mood now. To top it all off...I was getting out of the fto when I got home and I could hear air pissing out of the front passenger tyre. Pulled a small screw out and the air kept on coming. I already have a thread on here about that prevent a puncture stuff. Load of bo11ox!

[goz_83]

took the car to the nct today....or rather I had a friend do it. She only failed on emissions and headlight alignment. Happy with that. She needs to be tuned to bring the HCs down under 1200ppm, which were over 2000ppm. She is back at the bodyshop to get sorted. I sold th new rims and boots i bought, because they are just too wide and to modify the arches would be a nightmare, because they are molded, so that means keeping the wheels that came with it, but they will be sprayed black.

[Chris_Heilong]

Its a real project, hope it wont cost you too much but all that aside it is now a stunner. Good result on the NCT.

[goz_83]

Today I collected the Mini from the body shop (finally).

So, off the top of my head, this is basicly what I have done:

Replaced mirrors and all door handle/locks.
Had spot lights secured on hidden bar.
Rims refurbed and painted black.
Under sealed.
Passenger door replaced.
Full respray to Gold & Black (this is on the logbook now).
Full stage 1 exhaust kit installed (including carb and cone air filter).
Brand new moulded black carpet instaled.
New trims and other bits and pieces I can't think of.

I am selling her, but she will have a new NCT before she sells. Only needs carb tuned and headlights aligned to pass. It's also taxed til October.
I would accept 4k, no less than that. Is that too little? I don't think it's high personally. Prices seem to vary wildly.

Some pics (sory they are not great pics, i was in a hurry)

[Chris_Heilong]

That is so f**king cool. You really made it into something special.

[goz_83]

Well I have decided to sell the Mini. It's taken too long to finish her to take advantage of it as an ad car. I have spent about 4k total and despite all the heart ache, I just want to sell it quickly, so I will let her go to a club member for 4k even, no offers. She is to be tuned on Tuesday for the NCT and headlights to be aligned and then she is good to go after the nct on friday evening. Tempted to keep her, but she was purchased for a purpose she won't be fulfilling. By now you all know I am a fussy fecker and I have been fussy with this car, so the new owner will be gettin what I would call a bargain. pm me if interested. Won't be listed elsewhere until she has the nct disc. Won't be sold without it either.