Does anyone have one of these model years in the USA?
I don't understand completely what the article says about the last 50 models from 2000 were imported but others are not allowed? Which others?

Interesting nonetheless:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/04...-have/?pid=806

 

I believe that "Show and Display" means the cars cannot be driven on the road, so they would be of no use to those who want to enjoy them as we do. They could only appear in car shows or collection settings. If you want to register and drive a Mini, it's got to pass the 25 year limitation to be imported legally.

 

that is pretty lame. I love the classic minis. Its a shame they cannot be used 'legally'.

 

lol i work for nhtsa under contract... i am not a happy camper!

 

oh ... there's plenty of later Minis in the US

it is what we call a re-vin

because the car changed so little outwardly over the years a legal 25 year old car looks a heck of a lot like a not legal newer car.

So folks overthere go to a scrap yard and find a vin plate from a legal shell and pop rivet it into a newer Mini & ship it here - then advertise it as "1978 updated to 1995 specs"

Customs doesn't seem to try too hard to uncover these, there isn't that much $$ in play as compared to an illegal Ferarri; a few get caught (I've seen them on GSA auction lists for immediate export) but if you watch the for sale lists there are plenty around. I mean let's face it, who would do all the work to take a 1978 Mini and put in a computer controlled injected engine while also changing all the sheet metal? That's a heck of an update....

Some classic owners look down their nose at a re-vin .... I'm one who at frowns for sure when a re-vin gets entered in a car show at the false age .... but there are plenty of 90's cars out there.

 

I just wish they would call it the correct year at a car show. People look down at mine when they see a 1995 title as a 75 next to mine. I am proud of mine, being as old as it is and still on the road.

 

In my opinion who cares if it is a 90's or a 70's ect. A Classic Mini is a Classic Mini. Personally while others "who look down" on those Mini are sweating during the summer Im sitting in my Mini with the A/C on enjoying my drive.

 

I don't care, but at a car show just be honest.

 

I dont put mine in car shows where they judge by years. When I put mine in it is the only Classic Mini there. We show up at car shows so people can look at and enjoy the Classic Mini. That is why I do not get an expensive paints job ect so I dont have to worry about people touching my car. I want people to look in and have fun. I would rather a Classic Mini beat a muscle car anyday at a car show.

What about the people who swap out 998cc engines out for Honda V Techs. That is taking the time to change the Classic Mini.

 

it takes just wee bit more work to have a truly 30 year old car look as nice as a 15 year old car when looks is a factor in the judging which it usually is when the judges have no idea what they are looking at . . .

what's really irksome is when the owner doesn't even realize their car is a re-vin and just thinks they bought a 1966 Mini Cooper S with airbags and fuel injection

p.s. I just came back from one of those very car shows . . .

But yes - some of us go to shows to just show the car and have the opportunity to talk about the car. Problem is these false cars get talked about wrong and destroy the credibility of those who know and leave the asker just thinking anyone who would have one of those is nuts.

That's true of course but we don't really need help to get to that conclusion.

btw

my car is a total b*a*s*t*a*r*d

For shows I have a sign calling that out and its headline is 1979 Mini Not A Cooper

I've a 79 with MK1 outward bits and pieces (grill, tail lites, boot lid)

calling out all these points starts more conversations than a sign that said MK1 Mini Cooper ever would, and I don't feel a need to go to confession.

 

Well I dont think you should call any Classic Mini a false car. That isnt a true Classic Mini lover. Second of all I did research and studied on ALL YEARS of Classic Minis and inform askers the right way so I think I have credibility. I think people take car shows a little bit too seriously. Have fun at them. I love Classic Minis no matter whAT.

 

Question for you guys. Bought my car as a '75 and it is titled as that. Over the years have discovered that it is more likely an '83. I would like to get the paperwork corrected (and insurance) to reflect what it actually is. Anybody have experience with this? Thanks.

 

without the original VIN I suspect you are out of luck . . .

yet another issue to consider when buying a re-vin: when it DOES become legal how do you undo the deception? I'm not aware of any hidden VIN on the Mini - if they existed I suspect Customs would have discovered them by now.

But I stand ready to be corrected

 

Often times they are stamped certain places on the shell, I purchased a bare van shell last winter and managed to locate the original vin stamped in the middle of the scuttle panel in the gutter. Some of the pitting made certain parts hard to read but I was able to determine it was a 1980 van and get the whole vin from it. Obviously if your car had the scuttle replaced this wont be a viable place to look, if it hasn't though, it should be stamped there. It's probably going to take a title service to get a title on my van, but it should be possible.



Chris

 

I find it interesting that a fellow who goes by the screenname "usarmycop" is OK with buying and owning an illegal car - hope he's stationed somewhere other than the "Florida" in his sig. Cause, if his car is in the US, he has no credibility ...............at least with me.

An illegal car is an illegal car, right?

I appreciate that he owns a classic Mini and likes to show it off and drive it and enjoy it, but it's still against the law.

 

your Mini matches my MINI! (if you ever decide to sell it... let me know.)