I'm frustrated. We own two MINIs, a 2005 Coupe and a 2011 Vert. Been to Minis on the Dragon 3 times. 14 runs total on the Dragon. I covet a classic MINI. I've read most of the threads in this forum posted in the last 2-3 years. I know:
1. Expect to spend $7,000 to buy a Mini in running condition. Check !
2. Expect to pay more for condition or a scarcer model. Check !!
3. Inspect before you buy. Check !!!
4. Even if you can't see rust, it's there. Check !!!!

I took a shot at buying one on an eBay auction this weekend. I inspected the 1963 Austin 850. The body was perfect. Mechanical issues were minimal. Cooper 998 engine rebuilt 5,000 miles ago. Listed with a start price of $8995. A bunch of scam bidders (never had bid on an eBay auction before) destroyed the auction. It went to another bidder.

I've spent time on a number of sites other than eBay (miniMania for example) with listings. At least half of the Minis are misidentified (reVins or just plain incompetence). For example, one has listed a 1988 Austin 1275 GT. They stopped making them in 1980 and the photos show a round nose. The instruments are the three instrument pod from the 60s so I don't think it is a late reVin.

I live in Madison, WI. In my area of the country, there has to be less than one classic Mini per million people. Checking them out in person is not a trivial exercise.

Maybe I'm just venting. Maybe I need a pat on my head along with a gentle statement, "Everything is going to be all right."

OK, how would you proceed in my shoes?

 

Feel better. Lol. Try some of the classic Mini FaceBook groups. There are lots of members who could help point you in the right direction.

 

I'll just toss in my .02 here...

While some folks may be advertising a car as something other than what is listed, most do not. I'm sure you've researched well enough to be able to recognize the differences between the various cars on the sales block. That said, I would encourage you to go to the Mini Mania forum and ask questions of those who are in the real know... Minis vary and no two are ever really alike, as they were built in several countries outside of England.

All apprehension and frustration aside, there's no substitute for educating yourself as thoroughly as possible prior to making that purchase. There's several publications available (John Parnell's Cooper and Cooper S book at the very least) that serve as great tools to determine the exactness of the Classic Mini. It sounds like you're pretty well dialed, just been getting the wrong number.....

Best of luck along your journey!

 

three comments ....

just a few clicks down on this forum is a guy selling a car . . . .

many many for sale in the UK. Get Miniworld and see the ads. Mine came into the country sight unseen. I don't recommend this way, but it CAN work. Shipping from the UK is surprisingly cheap . . . .

you can have mine for $12k





79 body shell, MK1 grill / tail lites / boot lid; glass front clip with removable bonnet; 1275 A+ engine, Pertronix ignition, new alternator; 10x6 MiniLite clones, SPAX; LCB to a PlayMini stainless exhaust;

more and more

 

I appreciate the feedback. That mini I mentioned in my first post that was miscategorized -- He was miscategorized because of the limited options in the MiniMania pull down menu.

I didn't stop researching him. He is an interesting Mini, and one that is right up the alley of what I want. He is in great condition (from photos). He has a 1300 cc engine (sellers statement). In addition he has Stage 1 installed and disk brakes. It also has attitude and a very interesting story. I think Dickens is an appropriate name. Dickens is not perfect. But I couldn't find any plastic filler with a magnet, the chrome is near perfect with the exception of a slight kink in the rear bumper. The paint is perfect. There are no signs of rust .. yes, I know, just a matter of time. There are some interior issues, none major. He has a strong engine, a good clutch and the synchromesh works properly.

You've told me that a Mini in running condition is worth $7,000. More for condition and scarcity. I paid a moderate premium over the $7,000, but I feel I got a good deal.

Dickens can't possibly be a 1988 unless his engine is a transplant. They didn't put 1300 cc engines in Minis in 1988, just the 998 cc. Inspection shows the engine to be an A+.

So I dug and I dug, and I dug. Yesterday I got in my 2005 MINI and drove 500 miles one way. I inspected him, drove him and made an offer on today. My offer was countered and accepted. I pick him up on Saturday. I'll post photos when I get him home. I'm pretty sure I know what he is. More later.

 

Twas an interesting week, a week ago. In my previous post, I indicated I had driven 1,000 miles round trip in a little over 27 hours to inspect a classic Mini. I made an offer and it was accepted. That was two weeks ago Tuesday/Wednesday.

On Friday late afternoon my spouse and I took off in my Chevy Avalanche pulling a 20' trailer to pick him (her) up. We had the new Mini loaded by 11:00 Saturday morning. It was an 1,000 mile interesting trip. That's 2,000 miles in a little over 4 days in case you aren't keeping track.

We stopped for lunch at a barbecue/gun shop (no kidding). The owner came out and said I shouldn't have pulled our new car into his parking lot. Now he was going to have to buy one. "They don't make them in the US do they?" The barbecue was great. I didn't check out the gun shop.

In the same small town, we stopped for gas. Two small kids came out of the gas station and started pointing at our Mini. I said, "Come on over and take a look." Dad brought them over. His comment, "We don't see many of 'them' in these parts." So far that's two folks that had no idea what they were looking at.

Meanwhile the woman behind the gas station counter asked my wife, "Is that a car or a golf cart?" I guess I'm going to have to get used to those kinds of questions and responses.

We got him (her) home around 6:00 Saturday. Man, you better have the tongue side of a 20' trailer jacked way in the air when you ease a Mini with 10" wheels off the trailer. Don't ask me how I know. There are a few new shiny spots on the muffler. Fortunately were were winching him (her) down so no real damage was done.

As you can tell we were waffling a bit over name. This last Friday we took off in my wife's 2011 MINI Cooper Vert for 'Minis on the Mack'. On Saturday morning we were among 850 Miniacs that crossed the Mackinac Bridge separating Michigan's upper and lower peninsula, more or less in tandem. Then we gathered in St. Ignace (UP side) for a celebration and a chance to check out each others rides. I counted 5 classic Minis in 850 cars.

In the way back, I obsessed over how to mod this Mini to set it apart from all the others out there. It has to have attitude. It needs to pay tribute to its past, particularly its rally past. It needs to have a name that gives it a persona that is immediately obvious to any red blooded american male. About the time I hit the middle of the UP on the way back to Wisconsin, it hit me.

I'm not going to mention her name. But she is one of the most famous (or is that infamous) characters we've seen in the last 30 years. She goes under the handle, "Mistress of the Dark." Think Coors Light and Knotts Berry farm. Can you guess her name?

Tom

 

Great story but where are the pics?

 

Yea,

But the pictures distract from the story. I will post pictures in my next post.

It is an interesting Mini. This car is a real potato head. I had a hell of a time figuring out what it started as. Part of that is learning experience on Minis. I have history going back through three previous owners. Most of the documentation is in German, not even close to my native tongue. But here are a few pieces.
1. Classic three pod instrument panel. Measurements are in miles.
2. Modern Mini Cooper badging (post 1990)
3. A badge that identifies it as a Cooper 1275. Do you speak Italian?
4. 10" wheels
5. Disc brakes
6. An engine number and other features that identifies it as an A+ 1275cc engine.
7. Steering wheel on the left side.

Be patient. I need to figure out photo bucket. I will post pictures.

But you don't need pictures to figure out her name.

Tom

 

Her name is Elvira. Still cant wait to see her.

 

Note the Mini Cooper Badging on the front ...



And the Mini Cooper 1300 badging on the rear ... Parla italiano?



Then there's the 10" wheels ...



Under the hood is a 1275cc A+ four banger ...



With a Stage 1 kit installed ...



That's a John Cooper signature at the rear ...



The interior sports a retro instrument pod ...



But look closely. There's a heater and two stalks coming out of the steering column. Oh, and it is on the left side of the drivers compartment making it likely to be an export version.

There's a single gas tank in the boot.



She was advertised as a 1988 1275GT, which she can't be because they didn't put 1275s in 1988s.

Forget everything you know about Classic Minis. Put yourself in my newbee shoes and try to figure out what she really is ... I'm pretty sure I have it figured out but a lot of time was invested in the process. It was good time as I now know a lot more about classic Minis.

Tom

 

from the badge and the front grille it looks a lot like a ROVER Mini. I bought one when I was stationed in Germany....loved that car.

 

OK, take that Mini and call her Elvira.



Check out the grill of that '58 T-Bird boys. Thats near the bottom of the picture, not the top ...

If the photos in my previous post are the starting point what would you do with this Mini to Elviraize her? I have a bunch of ideas but would like to hear yours.

Tom

 

You are hot on the trail. Previous owner was a US serviceman stationed in Germany for 2 years. It was his ride in Germany. When he came back, he brought her with him.

I have three years of history on this Mini. Unfortunately almost all of it is in German.

Tom

 

Mune had a lot of paperwork in German as well. Most of it was service records and inspections. The Germans are pretty strict when it comes to vehicle upkeep. can you scan it and put the pic on here...someone might be able to help translate for you