Im looking to buy a classic mini, how much would shipping be from europe on average? Is there anywhere to find classic minis in the states that arent rediculously priced? Any info i should know, what to look for etc....


Thanks
Jack

 

Hi Jack,

I have bought several classic Minis in the states. A good place to start is on Mini Mania's website under cars for sale. Just a word of caution as you probably know already, is that classic Mini's have rust issues, espeacially the floor boards. I would suggest if you can a self inspection and never take the words of an owner as fact. Prices can vary extremely, from 2,500 to 30,000 depending on condition and how rare the car is. If you are looking for a very early classic such as an MKI car and is listed as an "S", be very, very careful. Many people will say they have a "true S" car but in fact I have found that many (90%) are clones. For instance, a 1964 1275cc MKI had only 2,426 produced worldwide with only 45 for export. How many of these cars are still around you say, very few! Last year I sould a 1967 Morris Cooper "S" that had all the paper work going back to the factory documentation. Two of the many clues which can help to distinguish a genuine Cooper or Cooper "S" from a fake is some non-genuine cars have aquired a rigt-hand fuel tank at a later date, but a factory fitted Cooper S item is secured to the rear seat upright panel by two parrallel brackets which can be seen by removing the seat squab. Also the hole for the remote gear lever on a genuine Cooper of Cooper S is a neat factory cut-out.

If you are just interested in owning a fun classic mini without rarity, you will have many choices, but again be careful of rust issues and buyer beware. Check the car out in person if you can.

Sorry for the long post, but I have seen many people get stuck with a money pit. I attached a photo of my 1962 Morris "true Cooper" for you to see. Maybe one day I will sell her

 

Jack,

Sorry. Here is a photo of my 1962 Morris Cooper. All original panels including original factory floor stamp. Car was in dry storage most of its 45 years. Total restoration from top to bottom. If you have any more classic Mini questions I might have the answer.

Good luck on your hunt.

Penny

 

SHIPPING: Will run between $3,500 to as low as $1,300 depending on carrier. I went with WALLENIUS WILHEMSEN as they were the cheapest. Plus they also shop all the new MINI around the world.

If you buy one here stateside and they "claim" they're restored ...restored means sould mean inside and out. Not just a filling the rust holes and a simple coat paint on the body. Check photos of the engine bay make sure it the same colour as the body. Also look at the carpets, dashliner and seat covers for signs of wear and tear. If the interior looks lit the dog-ballics, then you can be sure the body is the same way. (hidden rust, holes and filler)

Hope this helps,

Cheers, Ash

 

Well, lets be careful with the term restored. A seller might say restored and yes, it was restored meaning the exterior paint was redone (with tape marks), and a few parts added to the engine. When someone states a 'total restoration" meaning from the ground-up, well that's a different story. The previous post, I think means that if the car is restored it should be done correctly with no botch job.

I attached some more photos of my 1962 as an example of a total restoration. I am not bragging, but just to show folks that are new to buying classic cars that when a seller states "restored" it should include everything.

Penny

 

Penny

 

Hey Running,

VERY NICE CAR!

Thanks for sharing the photos.

 

The picture of the bottom of your Mini makes me swoon. Very nice car. I like them original, with only period correct modifications.

 

Actually, it's beyond very nice. GAWD, you can't beat the period colors, either! SOOOO VERY NICE!

 

Yep it's a stunner! I too love the color.

 

Wow thanks for the information...didnt expect so much in such little time...any websites i should look on to find old minis?

 

As stated MiniMania's web site is a good place

I watch Turkys.com as he always has a selection of cars .... They are typically "used" and not restored....but also have clean titles.

I found mine right here (right here on NAM!) when an owner said "I'm ready to sell" ...

You can pick up a copy of MiniWorld at a good Barnes & Noble or Borders. This is A if not THE major Mini mag from UK - lots of classifieds and brokers listed there. If you R brave .... you can buy sight unseen and go for it.

I think the shipping price quoted here was high unless they have climbed alot in 4 years - which admittedly IS possible. My car came over for less money than I paid for trucking A MIATA cross country (Miami to San Fran @ $900). But it is (was) also true that the price of a Mini in UK PLUS SHIPPING it here was 10 to 20% lower than US costs on average..... Back to that "see it" question

 

You can't go wrong with www.westpaminis.com Alistair (PA) & Pete (in UK) are tops at customer service and will supply you with more details & photos than you can imagine....

 

UK Mini prices have increased due to demand. Even Clubman are more now.

Buying one at such distance is risky since photos ALWAYS look better than the real car. A "little" rust in the UK is a "lot" of rust by US standards. Although, you can pay a few hundred pounds and have AA or RAC inspect your purchase and supply you with an engineer's report.

Exchange rate is now $2+ per pound.

Shipping, port fees, etc will run $1,200-$1,500 depending if you use a broker, or not.

 

I got mine at http://classicminiautos.com/ (Hilton Head SC.) Close enough?

 

Thank you everyone for your comments on my Cooper. Another place to look for classic Minis is http://www.miniguy.com. I never purchase anything from him but it seems like he has some nice cars.

 

Wow i wouldve never found thta and ive been searching hard....

If anyone else has any other USA sites post them up....maybe the moderator could make a sticky list of where to find classic minis in the USA???

 

www.madhouseminis.com - got Lucille from there last June