Hi, I'm brand new at the Mini thing and am looking for some advice.

I am the proud new owner of a 1979 Mini 1000 I bought her from a relative in Victoria BC. The problem is I live 1200kms away in Calgary, AB. I've looked into having her shipped but found this option unappealing because of cost, worry, and issues with having my winter tires not being allowed to be shipped inside the car. So I'm in the unappealing position of driving a car that I'm not really familiar with on a very long, very hard road trip. Needless to say I'm a little worried for my car and my sanity. The car is in good mechanical shape and has new tires so I'm using the Laws of Attraction, thinking positive thoughts and hoping that we both make it through this in good shape.

I would love some thoughts on what I need to keep an eye out for.

 

JMHO, but I'd give serious consideration to towing it rather than driving it that far, since you don't know the car's history.

 

True, but on the other hand, what better way to get to know your car and have some fun and interesting experiences?!? You could always take it to a shop and have them do a once over before you hit the highway. You'd probably want to do that anyway.

I say go for it!

 

Well I'm on my way, wish me luck. I'll post pics when I get back.

 

Good luck! Happy motoring!

 

Good luck, enjoy the adventure!

 

Whoa.. this oughta be interesting..

 

Here's to hoping your new Mini doesn't welcome you into the ownership club in style on this trip...don't need to learn about all the quirks just yet!

 

Carry a tool kit, a couple spares, cell phone and AAA card....

1,200 miles is nothing, btw. Think about it. Shouldn't any licensed, running vehicle be able to drive 2-3 days in a row? Just keep your speed down to 60-65 max to make it easy on the car. It wasn't designed to cruise at 75-80 mph....

 

1200 kilometers = about 700 miles...I say...take the adventure...you'll get broken into the car in the first block...well, maybe 100 kms (60 miles!)

 

She made it!

It took 15 of the longest hours of my life. Mini was fabulous. She doesn't like mountains, she does like oil, she doesn't like doing 120 kms/h, she does like cornering down hill etc etc. I'm sure everyone knows how it is; she has a lot of "character". When I tell people that I sold my 1997 Rav4 for a 1979 Mini the look at me like I've lost my mind and hopefully it’s not contagious. It doesn't matter though she's perfect.

pics

http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/c...t=P1010706.jpg
http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/c...t=P1010724.jpg
http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/c...t=P1010721.jpg
http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/c...t=P1010713.jpg
http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/c...t=P1010709.jpg

 

Nice pictues, nice Mini. It looks like in picture 5 you gave her a hug for being a good little Mini and not breaking down on you.

Good for you, dumped the Rav4.

 

Right On!

Nice pix. Glad to hear your journey was memorable and pleasant. Keep us posted.

 

You've got stones, I'll give you that. Not because it's a Mini (I'd do 700 miles in mine) but because it was an untested car. Glad you made it.

One thing though - why were the turn signals moved inboard to the grille from the front of the wings where they belong? Looks... crosseyed... to me.

 

Glad you made it safe and sound! And as others have said, that's a great looking Mini, too!

 

AWESOME! Lovely!

 

Congrats - glad you made it without incident! That experience will give you stories to tell. (I'm still not sure I would have risked it in an an untested Mini. But hey, I'm old!)

 

Awesome trip!! What size engine does you mini have in it??

 

That is awesome to hear! Glad everything went smooth! It is a great looking Mini you got!

 

She's a 1979, 1000. and I have no idea whats up with the signal lights...I might have to add that to the list of things to do.... it gets longer everyday!

 

If she's a 1000 i'm assuming she's a 998cc since that's what mine is

 

Looks like they may have replaced the wings at some point (accident?) and mounted the signal lights inboard while they were completing the process. You have the mounting points (painted over) - I guess they could have removed the lights, relocated them and filled/sanded the original holes, but that's a LOT of work... Replacement panels come without holes, so I'd put money on that they just didn't cut out holes for the turn signals when they installed the wing panels.

You don't have to put them back of course (it's up to you) but the blank "nipples" where the lights are supposed to be looks odd withut them IMHO.

 

I believe the turn signal lights were like this as standard for the later 1970s onward Canadian Export Minis because they had special raised height rubber bumpers fitted across the grille to meet bumper height safety regulations in Canada at the time. Looks like someone has taken the rubber bumpers off but left the lights as standard. Might be worth keeping it like original Canadian spec. for shows if this is now rare in North America? Some of the classic Mini books have photos of these export Minis.

 

Very sharp...congrats! Sounds like the drive home was a welcome event!

 

You got it! Nasty CA spec bumpers were orginally fitted...