History
After a very long break from mini's I was looking about for a project. After looking at 924's, 944's, old Jags, MG's and even considering old American rods, I eventually realised that I had the urge to revisit my youth, my first car was a mini 1000 which led me to work in a mini specialist doing bodywork for a few brief years. After a look around I realised I wanted one of the last carb'd coopers...purely as I know how to fix SU carbs. Luck, and a bit of searching for a few month found a Mainstream Cooper on my doorstep. The mini was "off the road" after a 2-year long "rebuild" in which nothing was done apart from a badly fitted front panel, apex and one wing and an overhaul of the breaking system. This is as it was delivered.
Some less than brilliant welding had been carried out, and whilst in storage someone had stolen the clocks.
It came with a bag of additional bits.
The plan is to rebuilt the car to a not to far from original standard. The colour will change, although I admit to have had the odd second thought about that. The pannel work won't be modified, just restored to safe condition. I'm not looking for concourse here, but I generally work to a high standard...but the cars really just a practice run for my next rebuild. Wheels, I'm not to sure about yet, it has three good 13inch Miniators but I'm tempted with standard 12" fitments...we'll see... and the engine, well, I suspect the odd modification may squeeze in, but I'm not expecting a repeat of my old 1380 motor as my first Mini turned out.
The Mini has been off the road since 2007, when it had 62,000 on the clock. The clocks and aftermarket dash were stolen when the car was in a lock-up before I bought it. After tracing the owners back I was told the approximate milage and how good the engine was, just the front end was rotting away. Once I put a new battery on the car started on the first click of the key! I may break the motor open and check it out, we'll see how healthy my visa is when I've finished the body work.