1984 Mini... is it a Limited edition Mini25 or just a wannabe?

Kaimakazee · #1 07-13-2009, 01:00 PM

Can someone tell, just by looking at my car if it's a limited edition? I know that there are things that many do to make a mini be a certain year.... it's all about if the right hand panel is original or switched in there, right?

The reason I'm asking, is....if it is a limited edition, would it be worth it to restore it back to original? Or, would it be better to make it my own creation? And, if I should go to original, where the heck can I find information on what the Mini25 looked like inside and out?

I also wanted to know where I can find the best parts for my mini. and by best, I mean most authentic and best looking.

Thanks for all the help, in advance.

nabeshin · #2 07-13-2009, 01:16 PM

More pictures maybe?

I do not know their international shipping policies, but Mini Mania is a good place for all kinds of replacement and performance parts.

http://www.minimania.com/home.cfm

MINIxB · #3 07-13-2009, 02:28 PM

The Mini 25 came in a few colors. I know black was one and I think they also came in Maroon and Silver. On the outside of the car there were Mini 25 graphics on the rear quater panels and inside the car they had leather seats with the Mini 25 logo on a tag on the seats. Other than that they were pretty much like any other Mini. I think they also had a special badge on the bonnet..

mk1leg · #4 07-13-2009, 03:27 PM

Mini 25 only came in matelic silver and the interior was cloth and front seats had a zipped pocket on front of scuab..............will put pics up for you later..............

MINIxB · #5 07-13-2009, 04:17 PM

Oh...Must've been thinking of the Mini 30 or something...

Tall Mini · #6 07-13-2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mk1leg

Mini 25 only came in matelic silver and the interior was cloth and front seats had a zipped pocket on front of scuab..............will put pics up for you later..............

Grey Velour with red piping to be exact (I have that interior in my car.

) The zippered pockets are the best

The 25th's are pretty hard to come by from what I understand.

yellowbritishrocket · #7 07-13-2009, 05:20 PM

hey tall did u have ur classic at the dragon this year?

Tall Mini · #8 07-13-2009, 08:32 PM

Yes, mine was the red convertible. We won a well fought battle in the Classic category of the car show

mk1leg · #9 07-14-2009, 05:16 AM

take a look here it may help you............... http://mini25.com/

...........

Kaimakazee · #10 07-14-2009, 12:12 PM

Well, I thought I wanted my mini to look like the Mini25, but after seeing that ugly stripe down the side, I don't think so. I'll probably end up making it just look good.

Here are some more pics.....

Thanks Nabeshin and minixb for the info.

Thanks mk1leg for pointing out the website (duh)....why didn't I just type in mini25? oh well, just saw that I didn't want it to be a mini25.

I have the mini30 seats in mine....so it's just a mut. but, the 30 seats are nice, I must say.

MINIxB · #11 07-14-2009, 01:13 PM

It could be a Mini 30...

Tall Mini · #12 07-14-2009, 03:35 PM

I believe it is newer than that even. Not sure when they started with the SPI engines (which this car has.) I would guess that it is a mid-90's car (at least a mid-90's engine.)
Nice looking car though

Kaimakazee · #13 07-14-2009, 04:00 PM

I think it's just the engine that's new. It's the 1275cc with fuel injection. according to the VIN plate, it used to have a 998cc...

It's a cool little car, but damn...the fuel economy is crap. 10L per 100km.

I'll be taking good care of it though, because I'll be bringing it back stateside when my tour is up here in Germany.

Oh, and if it's a mid 90's car with a different VIN....is there any way to tell, other than the VIN?

Tall Mini · #14 07-15-2009, 10:53 AM

Couple of the regular places to look would be on the wiper motor, it should have a date stamp, as well as on the boot latch. I would guess that it is a 90's car as the motor swap is not an easy one going from Non-FI to FI (talking from having gone through such an endever.)

Kaimakazee · #15 07-15-2009, 02:39 PM

You know what's weird....I just checked the boot latch, and it looks brand new....can this also be changed out pretty easily? The thing about the windshield washer motor is also a pretty funny story....So, there's really no room up front for the washer fluid jug....guess where it's at and guess what is missing?....That's right, there's no washer motor....something I neglected to look for upon inspecting the car. The car was so immaculate, that I overlooked something as simple as a washer motor. Well, I'm gonna have to buy a new one and (that's) just one more thing I can't check to see what year it really is.

Thanks for all the help guys. This mini is great, but puzzling.

Capt_bj · #16 07-15-2009, 03:25 PM

not the washer motor .... the WIPER motor.

The wiper motor and the boot latch are stamped with a build date....

to your statement the boot latch looks brand new

Are there any numbers visible?

A wire brush can make an old one look NEW in 60 seconds...

in this one ... 79 is the year .... 18 is the week .....

Kaimakazee · #17 07-19-2009, 03:23 AM

Well, the boot latch says 84....and the wiper motor doesn't say anything. The VIN number is stamped along the edge under the hood, close to where the wipers are affixed. I'm thinking this must be an 84....or someone did an amazing job changing everything to have the VIN numbers match and the date stamps on everything match for an 84. It is in great condition....the only problems I'm having so far is the engine is making some weird noises....almost as if it wants to stall. I'll step on the gas and it will sputter, almost as if it's not getting enough gas. Other than that, I'm keeping it in the garage and waxing it a lot to keep the rust away. I love this little car.

Thanks for all the info guys....it's kinda hard doing a search on this site, because it brings up info for the new mini's mostly....

Thanks again