I have a friend that brought a 1972 austin mini 1000 from england and has been given papers to go back to england, so he wants to sell me his mini for 3000 us dollars. It is all original, 46,000 miles, tiny rust under the headlights but not through. It's a rhd. has not been converted to run on unleaded. I think they call the color limeflower it is a mustard yellow. It runs great, it has a new generator starter, selonod.

 

I would buy it

 

That's at least half price (depending on the condition of the body). I'd bet you money it has rust elsewhere beyond the headlight, but for such a low price you can afford to have Norm fix her up for you afterwards.

Regardless of the price, though, you should know what you're getting into with a classic Mini - have you been researching them long? Many people get them because they think they're "cute" and have no way to work on them at all, and they end u moldering the first time something breaks. Sorry to ask, but you're new here so I have no idea what you already know about them.

Also, did you check out the MiniFinity Buyer's Guide that's stickied at the top of the forum? It will still likely be a great buy, even if you find a bunch more stuff wrong, but it will be a good way to see what you're getting into before you spend your money.

 

3k is a great price for a running mini....post some pics, let check her out!!!

 

Absolutely. I paid $4600 for mine with significant rust. Where are you located? It makes a difference for shipping on parts.

 

I helped him put in all of the new parts i mentioned. It is essential rust free. I have alot of mechanical experience. I rebuilt a jeep from the frame up so i understand motors and just about everything else. I live in north dakota. I am moving to utah in march. There's no dents at all the body is straight. The interior is really good to theres one small hole in the drivers seat. I need to eventually put new brakes all around and suspension but like i said it is original and in excellent shape. I have wanted a classic mini for about 12 years now, but they are always to expensive but because it is a friend and he is selling it for what he paid, simply because he will buy another one when he is restationed there in may. It is cheap because he did not have to pay for the shipping cost since the military does that. I posted some pictures i hope they worked.

Thanks all.

 

If you don't buy it, I'll take it for 3 grand.

 

from the pics ,i only see a few rust area's but nothing to major.......but you never know.....check the threads for some of my resto project, expecially the orlando restoration i did........car looked great when i got it, but once we sanded it down it was a wreak...(sorry CR Mini)..lol......but for 3k, it looks like you have a really good deal........

 

I am going to buy it when we put the generator in we realized the thermostat housing had a small crack and leaked a little, so after the thermostat housing comes i am going to buy it. Thanks for all your help. I will most likely be on here asking questions when i get it and start find things here and there.

 

Awwww...it's another Bumblebee.

 

Buy it. Its a deal. BTW IMHO that's Sandglow or similar. It is listed as a Brown. Would normally have a chocolate brown or beige interior.

Which is what my wagon was:



I believe Bumblebee is actually Limeflower, as I've seen it in person a while back (it was from the Tampa area). Limeflower is greenish, see here:
http://www.minicolours.co.uk/cgi-bin/list.cgi?code=H

 

Yeah it does have a brown interior.

 

Is that what your wagon use to look like?

 

Tell me more about that towing setup...

 

I don't think Bumblebee is Limeflower. Looking at those pictures on that sight she looks more like a Mace.

 

That's it....just a few minor changes....see if you can pick them out

 

If you have a Cooper you can buy a hitch online & install yourself....

http://search.cartserver.com/search/...OOPER&GO=GO%21

The towbar I made. You could buy a universal at Harbor Freight $69.99 and adapt the ends to fit the front subframe mounting bolts...



http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94696

 

is it hard for the mini to tow another mini?

 

Not at all. Just be careful braking, as you would towing anything...

 

i heard that you should back-up with that tow set up.......i could be wrong but minimad will be able to verify

 

You really can't back up with a towbar, you are correct. But its easy enough to plan ahead when manuevering and parking.

 

Minimad,

your "few minor changes" are awesome. That's a very nice looking estate.

 

you should see it in person......VERY NICE!!!

 

Agreed. It's a beauty. Engine bay so clean you could eat off it.

And back to the original topic at hand, for $3000 the car you've mentioned looks like a great deal.

 

So i bought the mini and i love it. I have the original dealer invoice from 1972 the color is Harvest Gold/Gold trim. The owner that sold it to my friend also had mini owners club give him a valuation the club in 2004 said they value it at 2500 pounds isnt that about 5000 us dollars? If so i think i got a steal at 3000 us dollars. I also have every service or part ever done to it.