I hope to order a Clubman in a few months, but until then I'm dealing with having the major Mini bug.

I saw this yesterday and was amazed. Does anyone know what year it is? Can anyone fill in some details? What are the two fixtures that look like gas caps on the rear corners? And four driving lights?!

Well, what a beauty is all I can say.

 

Wow, very nice!!

 

Yowza! Gorgeous little thing.

 

It's hard to tell from external shots, but the two gas cans are either the twin tanks form a true Cooper S, or one is a dummy filler neck intended to give the car a rally-look. Open the trunk and you can easily tell - there will literally be two gas tanks, one on either side of the trunk if it's real.

It's got late(r) model tail lights but still has the center speedo without the top padded dash rail. It also has no side-markers on the wings (like my '92), so I'd hazard to guess that it's a late 70's era body with a 1000CC or possibly even a 1275CC engine inside.

I'll have to look through my Chris Rees book for specifics, but given the modern switch panel (older cars had longer toggles), I'd say this is either a 70's-80's era Mini or a newer car that someone retrofit with a older instrument cluster. Starting in the late 80's, the Mini were fitted with ugly, square gauges mounted above the steering column. The tachometer looks aftermarket (Sunpro possibly) and the center console is an aftermarket add-on - removable if you want.

Last, the side pin-striping is mounted too high - that tells me that this is NOT a true "Cooper S" (which would have had it put on lower at the factory). I guess it could be a re-paint and the person that reapplied them had no clue where to pit them - the little "oak cluster" should not be folded into the body panel crease like that. Lots of Mini Sprites and Mini Metros (like mine) sport the late-model badges and faux "Mini Cooper" badging on the flank likw that. I'd yank it off and either leave it off, or re-apply it fresh a few inches lower - it really does look better that way:



PS - FUGLY 12" wheels - those have to go, sorry.

PPS - here's a great book detailing every Mini marque and model produced, even the international varieties - this is a God-send if you want to ID various Minis from photos or when going to purchase a car:

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Class...6745197&sr=8-1

 

Given it has 12" rims (& fugly hubcaps?), then I assume it has 8.4" disc brakes. Therefore it is likely post '82. It has been re-worked and has bitsa everything on it. Dash looks to be a fabric/vinyl covered Rokee affair...

Only way to decifer is by serial number and/or date stampings on boot latch/wiper motor etc.

 

Love those seats... I want buckets in Fiona one day (sigh).

And I was leaning more towards '81-'86 or somewhere thereabouts too.

 

wow, oh how i wish i had a classic :(

 

PS - Four driving lights is a classic rally look. Fiona had two on her when I got her, and I added the second set later on. I love that look...

 

I love your Mini, Matt.

I've wanted a Mini since I was a kid, riding around in my uncle's '67. Prior to purchasing my '04, I was looking at getting a classic but couldn't find a rust-free example worth my money. I opted to buy my '04 (used) instead.

I will have a Mini someday, it's just a matter of finding the right one. Thanks for your info, I'm going to order that book!

 

Someone find the owner and donate some decent wheels

those hub caps have got to go.

12 inch wheels would make it anything after a MK2 wouldn't it? Didn't the switch to 12 inch happen with the MK3....certainly by the MK4...I'm asking? There's a lot of similarity to my 79 Saloon, a major key I'm looking at is the switch panel...not something many people change...MK4 ish.

Yes, it looks like a painted RoKee dash kit .... I've only seen these in wood. I hope someone didn't paint a wood RoKee Overall a pretty interior....looks like Cobra Classic clones in some kind of velour fabric. Obviously a repaint and a guess on the stripes...they don't extend to the bonnet but end at the seam.

Sadly almost everyone who re-does a Mini buys the Cooper badges fueling the misbelief that they are all Mini Cooper.....like MINI Coopers...

When I show OC, the sign I hang describing the modifications says

1979 Austin Mini Saloon - not a Cooper

... that starts a lot of conversations

 

they went to 12's when they went to 8.4" discs around 84

they stopped Clubmans & Estates in 80 and then van/pickup production in 82...

 

Sweet picture.

I'd have to say the hubcaps on the Mini in the first post have to go. They look like crap.

 

I use to have 5.....it was great

 

You guys that added the driving lights - did you upgrade the alternator or did the factory one have enough power to run the lights?

 

Most lights are just for looks since they are illegal in some states.

 

The stock unit does fine. I run the headlights, the driving lights and the stereo simultaneously all the time. That's with a 1992 alternator though... I have to run my driving lights as main illumination since my stock headlights are so bloody dim - I have them aimed really low and wide so as not to blind oncoming traffic. We'll see if that's necessary after i get off my *** and replace the headlights with the modern upgrades I got for Xmas ((( shame )))...

 

Matt,

Fiona, she's a beauty. Thanks for the tip on the book. ordering it now.