I am interested in buying a classic Mini. The type of Mini I want is a street legal race car. A Mini with a fast motor, good adjustable suspension, disc brakes front and rear, gutted interior, roll bar, racing seats and all the safety devices that I need. This Mini would basically be a weekend canyon runner.

I have been doing some research this morning and have learned that I have two options. Option number one is to pay 20-25K for a really old Mini that is in super good condition and do the modifications that I need. Option number two is to import a really old Mini in super good condition myself to California in order to save some money and do the modifications I need. This option comes with a long list of potential problems. With both options I am going to spend a lot of money for an old Mini that requires a lot of maintenance, also known as a money pit or money bucket. Then I thought of option number three. This option is to build a Classic Mini from all new parts. I mean new shell, new motor, new everything. This way I could build it the way I want it. I would buy the V-TEC kit from Mini Tec so I could put a 200 hp Honda motor in for good power and reliability. This is a car that I would keep for a long time, probably forever! So I have to look at the long term cost. And I think this option would cost me about the same or even less in the long run then going with the money bucket of options one and two. This project may take me five years, but I think it would be fun and the outcome would be well worth it.

I would like to know what all of you out there think about this option? I have one big question. How would I get this Mini a Vin number and registered in the state of California? Has anyone out there done this? Are there any problems I have not thought of? Any opinions and advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Shawn

 

Shawn,

I'd buy a solid used shell that's already stripped with subframes. You plan on changing all else that mounts to the car anyway.

You can get one with its original documents. In Ca contact members of MOALA. Contact westpaminis.com or djminis.com

 

You should take a look here, http://www.vintageminiracing.com/ you have to register but they have a classified race Mini section, even a few that sound like what you want, turnkey or shell, one thing about staying with an original type engine is that you can go racing with lots of other classic Mini's, with the VTec you can only go racing with cones,

Sounds like a fun project, good luck, Manuel

 

You should be able to get a nice solid "street legal race car" for a lot less then 20-25k. I bet if you shopped around you could find something like what your looking for in the 10-12k range...a normal driver in good condition is 5-7k

 

You just can’t build a complete car.
Not that this will affect you Shawn but you can’t buy new OEM seats.
I have found used OEM, new after market replacements, but no new OEM.


Dave

 

Dave, I think he's talking about a gutted out interior with racing seats and roll cage, not OEM stuff, I think he can do it but buying one already done would be much cheaper,

Maybe something like...

 

I was just making a comment.
I know what he wants.

Dave

 

I like that! Do you have a pic of the whole car?

 

:smile: Hey, Shawn! Go to this site: http://miniguy.com/ He's in Ventura, so give him a call and go chat with him. I think you should be able to get a nice Mini for much less than $20K.

And I agree with the suggestion of going to some MOALA meets. You'll meet Mini owners and find out what's available in SoCal. http://www.moala.org/

Good luck with your new project!


Clover

 

How have you been? Thanks for the info! Maybe I'll see you at Richards soon.

Shawn

 

I've been busy painting, preparing for an art exhibit in November. I'm flying to Michigan in a week, so I have to have all my work done by this weekend!!

I'm good!! How's your MINI? Still lovin' it?


Clover

 

I cant get enough of it! I've had it 10 months and have 17k miles on it.

 

YAY!!! I see the madness has now spread to the little Mini....very cool!


Clover

 

Who had any experience with Mini Tec? I emailed them twice and haven't replied.

 

Here's the car and specs,

http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/co...16899774pp.htm

 

I like how clean and simple it is!

 

from race-cars.com & they were great to deal with....
no muss no fuss on the buyers end.
MTC,
Cris

Here's a link to mine for the curious:
http://www.race-cars.com/carsold/mal...2/mm6022ss.htm