It looks so tempting. Is there a problem with the NZ MINI's? The shipping of nearly 2G bumps the price up but this thing looks mint. Is it true that the 1277cc only makes 64HP or is that some kind of different scale or something? Is it possible to add shoulder seatbelts to the rear if it doesn't already have them?

Thanks for any imput for the classic owners.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...item=400104159

 

I've seen this car up for sale several times on eBay. I'd be very careful buying a Classic without having the opportunity to do a hands on inspection. Now, if you were planning a trip to Australia anyway...

 

It's a re-vin and it hasn't been through customs yet. It's like betting 8k on the superbowl.

I looks clean from 10 feet but thats about all you can tell about it.

If you look at what parts are for the fuel injection system you are probably better off finding a nice legitimate 1977 thats already here for a few grand more.

 

Yes, the 1275cc engine does "only" make about 68 horsepower but that's in a car that weighs less than 2,000 pounds....it hauls butt!

 

Can you explain what a re-vin is please. Also I didn't catch the point about fuel injrction. I'm new to the classic mini stuff. Thanks,

Kevin

 

in Mini-dom the terms 'updated to XXXX spec'

means

it is an XXXX year vehicle that has had the VIN tag replaced with an older one; in this case a 77

Why?

You can import a car older than 25 years to the US ... no questions asked. A Mini from (2010 - 25 =) 1985 can be legally imported. A Mini newer than 1985 can't . . . that's the basic rule.

Why do we suspect this is a re-vin and not as stated 'upgraded' ... cuz NO ONE goes thru the effort of putting the computer control crap of an injected motor into a Mini that didn't have that ... a 77 did not. And the A/C ... another 90's feature {edit reclamma .... many take Minis and place entire Honda VTEC front ends in them .... including the computer crud I guess}

Customs are not complete idiots.....they catch these....but only sometimes cuz let's face it an illegal $10,000 car is much less interesting than an illegal $100,000 car. But don't be fooled; I HAVE seen seized Minis on the GSA auctions (for sale for immediate export or parting out .... marked as untitleable in US)

Your safest bet is to buy a Mini that's already incountry. Some of those are re-VIN too .... but once past customs and titled in any state you are 99.5% home free.

The other comment posted applies to the fact that if you DO buy an MPi or later Mini .... finding the diagnostic computers for this vehicle is difficult if not impossible which is why some MPi owners come here to ask how hard is it to refit their car will a pre-injected and very simple motor.

And yes .... 65 HP is the range for an unmodified classic ... actually a pretty good pull IMHO!

If looking for one to buy I'd watch MiniMania.com's listings ... most of the hard core classic owners know about this place

++++
adding seatbelts in the rear ..... well you can for cosmetics but there are no factory hard points for this so unless you build them . . .

 

Thanks again for the great replies. I understand the re-vin issue now though it seems highly likely that it would pass customs since like you said they aren't mini experts and arnt going to be too excited about a 6K car. Having dealt with DMV I am even less worried about them.

But I am a bit worried about this computer issue. Why is "finding the diagnostic computers for this vehicle" of critical importance? I suppose it is related to having the car serviced, etc? Does being in Southern Cal with 10 million other people give me a better chance to have access to the computer?

 

btw ... getting a 'classic Mini' titled in CA appears to be a HECK of a lot more difficult then other states. CA rules are more strict and while '25' applies to most, it is '30' in CA.

I can't point you to a specific reference but I suggest you research.

 

My point about the injection is that just go on minimania, type in spi or mpi and see what comes up. I'm not sure which injection system this particular car has but you should get the point on what parts cost. Granted you can get stuff cheaper at other vendors but thats another story.

I personally would rather pay more for a car already here with a clear title. All it takes is one customs inspector to be in a bad mood or know what they are looking at and youre out of luck. I would want to go down to the notary and sign over a claer title from the seller to me in person rather than rely on the dmv and a overseas seller to come through. I have been burnt too many times on small stuff on ebay to trust someone with 8k of my money.

Please do yourself a favor and do a little more research before you go and purchase something. You need to know where to look for rust, a little about what features can help you distinguigh if its really the year they say it is, and what your must haves are. Like 10" wheels, disc brakes, a/c, etc. They all have their problems it just really comes down how much of a project you are willing and able to take on. If you need something ready to go you need to be really prepared to inspect the car before you buy it.

 

I actually own the car on ebay that has only ever been listed last week for the first time, but what makes me laugh is i have not sent over 150 minis into the U.S if they were crap, in fact i have so many repeat customers and dealers reselling my cars and making a good hit as they know what they are getting from me, i do not sell rusty shitty minis as i have a reputation to uphold and have trouble finding good clean cars.Why pay 10k plus for a pile of junk? Go figure and i would not be on ebay if i ripped people off.
Buy the best from me.I have an awesome black cooper arriving in a couple of weeks get in quick as my stock sells so quick.

 

Pizzamike, will you refund customer if car does not pass through customs successfully?

 

Thanks for that question but i guess the answer would be no i would not as it has not ever happened to us i am not in control of what happens after the car leaves.
But i certainly do not sell 2000 mini sportpacks and title them 1970 models that is just asking for trouble, that is why you can get such good value, I could give you a list of Dealers that buy from me but that is unethical, have a great day.

 

hmmm...in whose book?

 

There are plenty of Minis already in the US, why bother with shipping from overseas?

I would also avoid fuel injection at all costs. SU carbs are simple to setup and maintain.

 

Thanks for that question but i guess the answer would be no i would not as it has not ever happened to us i am not in control of what happens after the car leaves.
But i certainly do not sell 2000 mini sportpacks and title them 1970 models that is just asking for trouble, that is why you can get such good value,

well thank you for your candor and I guess you can answer a major question for some of us. You have an XXXX updated to YYYY specs. You gutted a say 1970 and replaced everything with 1999 gear .... ? I'd think that was expensive . . .

from your e-bay:
1977 UPGRADEDTO 1994 SPECS

can you expand on 'upgraded to 1994 specs' and specifically address how you do this SO cost effectively?

Inquiring Minds Want To Know . . . .

 

I agree with BJ....stay away from this guy! Find one in the states or from a dealer that imports/exports them that guarantees it..........As for the fuel injection...this was made fom Rover and even in the UK where I am currently stationed, it is hard to find anyone here that can troubleshoot it, and the parts are not cheap. It is so much easier to work on a carb model. But if you do end up with a SPI, it doesn't take much to swap to a carb if there is trouble down the road. A MPI can be converted as well but you would have to get a stand alone ignition kit as the block is not drilled for a distributor. But welcome to them mini world!!

 

Buying a vehicle on Ebay is very suspect. I would never buy any car that I couldn't sit in and test drive first. So if you're gonna go the online shopping route, like most said, stay in a states and find something that doesn't have to ship overseas. By the way, I'm new to this site and didn't know if there were any other forums for MINI enthusiasts that I should check out. Thanks