Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4236 Location: South Cheshire

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! Confused

Dave

lowdrag · Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Posts: 1600 Location: Le Mans

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.

Rootes75 · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2021 11:54 am Post subject:

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!
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

Crashbox · Joined: 30 Apr 2021 Posts: 148

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.
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1989 2CV

1932 Morris Minor S.V. Two-Seater

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7107 Location: Derby

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!

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22784 Location: UK

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
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MVPeters · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 822 Location: Northern MA, USA

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7107 Location: Derby

Save us from the originality Police. Rolling Eyes

Bitumen Boy · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2021 2:42 am Post subject:

lowdrag · Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Posts: 1600 Location: Le Mans

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7107 Location: Derby

alastairq · Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 2119 Location: East Yorkshire

badhuis · Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1468 Location: Netherlands

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!
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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7107 Location: Derby

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.