Hi. I'm the proud (and only owner) of an Austin Mini 1000 purchased brand-spanking-new in Vancouver in 1976. She was a daily driver until about 1987 when I garaged her. In the '90s, my husband "derusted" her (new subframe, rocker panels, etc.) and I've had the carb rebuilt but she is pretty much the way I bought her. I've never put "fancy" wheels on her (she still has the funny little round caps for wheel covers) and I've always kept the Canadian bumpers (which I kind of like - makes her look a little more agressive). The interior is in excellent condition and the only change inside was a new header and a radio/cassette player. I'm wondering now, though, if I've done the right thing, keeping her as "stock" as possible. I will probably have to sell her this spring and wonder if I should replace at least the bumpers and wheels. Any thoughts on this?

 

1. keep her stock if you are gonna sell her. that way the new owner can choose to mod the way they would like plus i would imagine that it would bring a higher price, and,

2. why sell? she's a beaut!

 

I don't think I've ever heard of anybody converting to the Canadian front bumper... I think ya'd be safe in switching it.

(edit) - then again, having a Mini is all about making it how *you* want it. Being a one owner car and all - might be a good case to keep her "ugly"

 

Ugly? Uglyyyyyy? Oh, the pain! ;) But, will the bumpers, as-is, detract from a sale or not, do you think? I see almost none with the Canadian bumpers (or the original wheels, for that matter). It will break my heart to see her go but unemployment is rapidly draining the bank account so have a tough decision to make...

 

I like ugly airplanes too, if that's any consolation.

I have a feeling that the "completely original" bit will be the strongest selling point to someone. True, it's not a cooper S, but they didn't make those in '76 either.

I don't know what the market is like up there in Canada, but here in the US you can probably fetch at least $7,000 or so for a rust free example. That's a wild guess... your milage may vary.

 

Thanks for the advice, anyway, Latka. Gives me a direction to lean...

 

I would leave the car as it is and enjoy it. To change the bumpers actually is a major pain because there is no "lip" to bolt the bumpers to thus you have to fabricate brackets. Genuine bumpers now cost quite a bit, if you can even find them (aftermarket bumpers in stainless steel are cheaper but don't have as good of fit). Also you have to relocate the front turn signals to the body, thus involving drilling of the body, and also the paint will be blemished where you'll have to fill in the holes in the trunklid from where the rear bumper is attached.

It is actually quite rare to find an original owner Canadian car as most of them have been rusted out, crashed, or shipped to the states. If you truly wish to sell your car, leave it as it is, and you'll get the best price.


dr dave

 

While I don't like them, leave them alone.

As a buyer, I would prefer that the car was original as possible. You won't net any additional money from changing them out. And run the chance you may get less if not done perfectly.

 

Thank you, everybody, for the advice about the Canadian bumpers. You've convinced me to leave well enough alone. I guess that would apply to the tire rims and covers as well?

 

What do you think that you will ask for her?

 

How much are you asking for? I may be interested in it if the shipping is reasonabe from Vancouver to Toronto
PM me please!
Cheers
Stephen

 

Keep it original. There are so few original old cars out there, that modding them usually reduces their value. If the buyer really wants to change the car, they'll want it their way which is probably not the same as the way you thought they'd want it.

Nice car though. Why not just keep it?