American Pickers - Series 16. Episode 13.
A 1968 MK2 Mini Cooper S, 36,000 miles, found in Detroit with rust in front wings and sills, bought by the American Pickers for $5000 from guy who owned it from new and bought it in UK on his way back from serving in Vietnam.
Originally white, modified in UK when new with a Weber carb and Tilling Winding windows fitted.



Risks and Rewards
TV Episode
In Detroit, Frank takes a big risk on one of the greatest pieces he's ever seen; Mike acquires a Purple Heart along with a very special mission.
Show: American Pickers
Season number: 16
Episode number: 13
Air date: 26 December 2016 (USA)
http://www.history.com/shows/america...-16/episode-13

 

That awsome. I live an hr and twenty from detroit. cool seeing what was so close to home.

 

That's really awesome.

 

kinda disappointing IMO

lots of Mini facts incorrect

and it is a rust bucket in all the known places

$5000 was not a horrible price, but no bargain either. A not running, very rusted, not original S .......

gonna cost plenty to make this a runner ......

also shows the guys on the show ... and their support staff ... really don't do good research. Heck, even the Monte Carlo anecdote is only loosely correct ....

 

I've noticed that they pay way more than what they should for most things. I watch the show regularly.

 

They pay more to attract people to contact them with inventory, the private deals make the money. To the TV viewing world they are the experts. Next up a run for President!

Yeah I lol with the rust bucket mini.

 

And yet.......


Not that many months ago someone sold a 66 Cooper S in not mych better condition than this but with a great "story" for.......


















are you ready?


















$55,000!!!!!!!!




Not restored, not running, rust in all the usual places, needed an interior etc, etc, etc.

 

WOW

where was that?

A Meekam or Br' Jax I'll bet!

They too do NO research to verify claims ..... but merely present the car as 'described' to them .....

buyer beware!!!!!

"one of the actual cars used in the filming of the original Italian Job"

I can see it now

**** hey, that guy that paid $55k ..... can you pass him my phone number .......

 

It was sold on the Bring A Trailer auction site, and I was as shocked as anyone when it brought that stupid amount of money - cause it needs $30K spent on restoration......


I heard it went back home, to England.


I'll dig around and see if I can find the listing, if I do I'll post it up here.


BaT has sold a number of Minis and some have gone for pretty solid numbers

 

This one sold in October on BaT for $43K, and it was a nice car...already done.

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-mini-cooper-s/

Found it, don't let the first glance fool you, it needs everything.....

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1967-austin-cooper-s/

 

By contrast here in the UK that $5000 for an S was considered a bargain price!
More here:-
http://mk1-forum.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=18143

 

On the last couple of posts, they posted a link back to NAM. Seems they think we're nuts to not think it's a bargain..

 

I'm just beginning my search for a 1st classic Mini and my budget is around $10G. I have learned and understand the value of the 60's cooper and specifically S but otherwise this is one of the most confusing cars I have priced and have been doing cars as a hobby for 25 years now. By that I simply mean there seems to be a much more variation in price for cars in a much wider range of conditions. I mostly did classic Mustangs and found more consistency. Heck I was even into odd ball like Fiero and pricing was much more standard for lack of a better word.

Harder to wrap my head around given they are all very similar at end of day regardless of trim, but I'll get there. Or more likely like my experience in VW Bugs I'll get burned and learn the hard way!

Bit off topic sorry, but somewhat in that even here people are all over the place on what this car was worth.

 

you can have mine for $12,000