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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4236 Location: South Cheshire
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Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2021 4:05 pm Post subject: The Price of Rough Mini's |
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I bought my first Mini in the early 80's, it was an Austin 7, 848cc, 12 months MOT, all original advertised for £180 , it required some welding (even though it had just passed an MOT !) I purchased it for £150 (about £650 in todays money)
I ran it for 3 years , and then decided it require more welding than it was worth, so scrapped it around 1985, got £10 for it.
I would like to restore another mini...... looking on eBay a similar condition car to the one I scrapped in the 80's ........£5250
Isn't hindsight wonderful!
Dave |
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lowdrag
Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Posts: 1600 Location: Le Mans
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Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2021 7:01 am Post subject: |
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A couple of years ago I saw a Mini sold for £18,000 as a complete wreck. The owner put £40,000 into it to restore it to pristine - and all because it was one of the rare 1959 cars. |
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Rootes75
Joined: 30 Apr 2013 Posts: 4173 Location: The Somerset Levels
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2021 11:54 am Post subject: |
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Mini's are one of those cars that with its cult following will always command good prices. Also, with so many surviving the rare ones then become much more sought after and the prices soar! _________________ Various Rootes Vehicles. |
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Crashbox
Joined: 30 Apr 2021 Posts: 148
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2021 12:25 pm Post subject: |
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It appears even the first-gen BMW MINI is beginning to increase in value due partly to the fact that newer versions are now seen as fat and heavy. The ones that are getting a lot of attention are the Y-registered cars. The vast majority of the first-year cars are on a 51-plate, with Y-plate cars being exceptionally rare. I've read somewhere that a chap has been buying up all of the Y-registered MINIs for his own collection and that has helped push up values even further.
I've owned a couple of real Minis in the past. Quite fancy a late (Mk7) on standard 12in alloys. I hate the 13in wheel Sport-Pack option with fat wheel arches. It does nothing for the looks, ruins the handling and ride, and puts far too much additional stress on the suspension and steering components which translates into needing them to be replaced at a far more regular interval than a standard setup. _________________ 1989 2CV
1932 Morris Minor S.V. Two-Seater |
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Ray White

Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7107 Location: Derby
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2021 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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My God father (deceased) bought a new mini when they first came out in 1959. Finished in red, he always kept it in immaculate condition and had it serviced at my Dad's garage. The car is still in superb condition and was inherited by his son. It must be worth a fortune but the family will never sell!
Years ago, The Daily Mirror had a competition to find the oldest Mini and it narrowly missed out. Considering it still had it's original engine etc. we thought it should have won!
The first cars had a problem with water getting in past the inner front wings. Given that they rusted badly, it's a wonder any original ones have survived! |
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Rick Site Admin

Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22784 Location: UK
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MVPeters

Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 822 Location: Northern MA, USA
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2021 10:56 pm Post subject: |
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Rick wrote: | I'm beginning to think that I should have bought a fairly incomplete '59 that was advertised a month or so back, although the task of sourcing year-correct parts to make it complete again put me off somewhat.
RJ |
Rick
You might like to watch this first! Mini starts at about 38mins.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs0XL_8vB1o&ab_channel=Christian%27sMovies _________________ Mike - MVPeters at comcast.net
2002 MINI Cooper 'S' |
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Ray White

Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7107 Location: Derby
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2021 11:30 pm Post subject: |
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Save us from the originality Police.  |
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Bitumen Boy
Joined: 26 Jan 2012 Posts: 1763 Location: Above the snow line in old Monmouthshire
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Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2021 2:42 am Post subject: |
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Ray White wrote: | Save us from the originality Police.  |
Your finished car will run rings around them  |
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lowdrag
Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Posts: 1600 Location: Le Mans
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Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2021 8:02 am Post subject: |
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Ray White wrote: | My God father (deceased) bought a new mini when they first came out in 1959. Finished in red, he always kept it in immaculate condition and had it serviced at my Dad's garage. The car is still in superb condition and was inherited by his son. It must be worth a fortune but the family will never sell!
Years ago, The Daily Mirror had a competition to find the oldest Mini and it narrowly missed out. Considering it still had it's original engine etc. we thought it should have won!
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Rover thought they had the oldest Mini but that competition was won by Dave Worrow with a 1959 pre-production car. He sold it some years back for a healthy sum. As regards a Cooper, I came across this:-
https://inews.co.uk/essentials/lifestyle/cars/car-news/barn-find-earliest-mini-cooper-193621 |
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Ray White

Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7107 Location: Derby
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Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2021 10:36 am Post subject: |
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Bitumen Boy wrote: | Ray White wrote: | Save us from the originality Police.  |
Your finished car will run rings around them  |
That's funny.
As it happens, I have had interest from a couple of TC aficionados who have been unable to resist finding out what horrors I am inflicting on my car. They have both been "sniffy" with comments like "we don't do that sort of thing these days".
Guess what? I couldn't care less.
I share my progress (and set backs) with some of my customers and neighbours and they seem quite excited about the project.  |
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alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 2119 Location: East Yorkshire
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Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2021 12:27 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: | They have both been "sniffy" with comments like "we don't do that sort of thing these days". |
OOOOH! Do tell! _________________ Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces. |
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badhuis

Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1468 Location: Netherlands
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Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2021 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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Well that's part of the "fun" isn't it? To know, as a nerd, the big and small differences between original and modified. I know I do for a few car types.
That said I usually respect the owners decisions as it is their car and of course they can do with it whatever they like.
And never be a snob disregarding every modification. There are bound to be mods for every older car ranging from new carpets to engine or suspension changing. And of course even the utmost original car will have modern air in their (more recent, I hope) tyres! _________________ a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment |
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Ray White

Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7107 Location: Derby
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Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2021 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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I can be as nerdy as anyone with 'Trundles' my 1930 Swallow saloon!
I used to produce "Swallow Ramblings" the quarterly newsletter for the Austin Swallow Register and it was nice to be able to advise other owners on the little differences between models. Having said that, I could not have done it without the help of my old friend, Gil Mond, our resident Swallow Register historian.
At 91 Trundles is not really viable as a usable car on today's roads; at least not on anything other than the smaller back roads.
Fortunately, although essentially a pre War design the 1949 MG TC has lots of potential that I hope to unlock.
I am not expecting it to drive like a modern car - far from it - but where improvements can be made they are probably worth considering.
If I don't like the end result, I can always sell it... but that is not the plan. |
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