Andeh
is teahte tbungafloed
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2007
- Messages
- 3,517
- Location
- Cumbria, UK
- Car(s)
- Fiestas, Mondeos, Anglia, Austin 7, Corsair, Chrys
It's been a whole year since I bought the Suzuki X-90, and I was getting the itch again. At the same time the COVID situation has seen my weekly mileage plummet from ~400 miles for work to 0 as I work from home. As such my summer commuter, the NC MX-5 has just been laid up the shed. Which made me think, that really, it was perhaps time to let it go before the value drops any more. (It's currently for sale, hopefully it'll shift soon).
The MX-5 was always a stop gap while I intended to build a classic Mini, and despite having a really good shell and donor a few years ago I realised I'd never have the time to actually put the two together, so sold both in 2018 and vowed I'd buy a complete car someday.
I've spent the last couple of months looking for a decent spec Mini, Riley Elf or even a Hillman Imp to little avail. On Sunday I got a call from a friend saying he'd spotted a Mini the next village down from me for sale on the side of the road - a couple of hours later and it was mine.
What it should look like
It's a 1989 'Rose' which was originally white with a pink roof, but is now a Vauxhall Metallic red with a Mercedes white roof, and plenty of Cooper graphics to reinforce the look. The interior is nearly all from a Mini '30' apart from the wooden dash from a later car. It has a 1275 engine from an MG Metro fitted, good for approximately 72hp, front discs and finned alloy rear drums. The bodywork is presentable, of course it's had its share of welding like any Mini, and if I'm being picky it's somewhat of a 5ft paintjob. Not a show car, but a good honest driver and plenty solid enough for summer commuting, which is my intended use - if I ever go back to the office that is. The price was also very favourable for the spec of the car.
How it does look, thankfully
Yes, all the engine bay chrome & yellow combo is hideous, but you can't account for the previous owner's taste... Same with the twin fart cannons out back, too loud, too low and too ugly for me.
It was rebuilt in its current form in 2014 and has done barely 1500 miles since, so needless to say it needs a little love to get to full health. Just a good run with fresh fuel last night saw it running smoother with each mile however, so I'm hopeful it'll be sweet as a nut soon. Planning to give it a thorough check over and service as soon as the weather is favourable, because of cause it's pouring down currently in Northern England, in August.
I don't plan to mod it much as it's already the fast road spec I wanted from a Mini. I think I'll get some new bumpers, wipers, few bits of interior trim and just enjoy it as is for now. Oh, and a rev-counter, I'd really like to know what it's doing. New number plates are already on my desk, just waiting for the weather!
Period correct plates, because I'm a plate geek.
I won't sum up the driving experience, but I've driven a handful of classic Minis and find they are the most fun you can have while cornering. Every cliche is true, and the nice engine in this one just helps the whole package.
The MX-5 was always a stop gap while I intended to build a classic Mini, and despite having a really good shell and donor a few years ago I realised I'd never have the time to actually put the two together, so sold both in 2018 and vowed I'd buy a complete car someday.
I've spent the last couple of months looking for a decent spec Mini, Riley Elf or even a Hillman Imp to little avail. On Sunday I got a call from a friend saying he'd spotted a Mini the next village down from me for sale on the side of the road - a couple of hours later and it was mine.
What it should look like
It's a 1989 'Rose' which was originally white with a pink roof, but is now a Vauxhall Metallic red with a Mercedes white roof, and plenty of Cooper graphics to reinforce the look. The interior is nearly all from a Mini '30' apart from the wooden dash from a later car. It has a 1275 engine from an MG Metro fitted, good for approximately 72hp, front discs and finned alloy rear drums. The bodywork is presentable, of course it's had its share of welding like any Mini, and if I'm being picky it's somewhat of a 5ft paintjob. Not a show car, but a good honest driver and plenty solid enough for summer commuting, which is my intended use - if I ever go back to the office that is. The price was also very favourable for the spec of the car.
How it does look, thankfully
Yes, all the engine bay chrome & yellow combo is hideous, but you can't account for the previous owner's taste... Same with the twin fart cannons out back, too loud, too low and too ugly for me.
It was rebuilt in its current form in 2014 and has done barely 1500 miles since, so needless to say it needs a little love to get to full health. Just a good run with fresh fuel last night saw it running smoother with each mile however, so I'm hopeful it'll be sweet as a nut soon. Planning to give it a thorough check over and service as soon as the weather is favourable, because of cause it's pouring down currently in Northern England, in August.
I don't plan to mod it much as it's already the fast road spec I wanted from a Mini. I think I'll get some new bumpers, wipers, few bits of interior trim and just enjoy it as is for now. Oh, and a rev-counter, I'd really like to know what it's doing. New number plates are already on my desk, just waiting for the weather!
Period correct plates, because I'm a plate geek.
I won't sum up the driving experience, but I've driven a handful of classic Minis and find they are the most fun you can have while cornering. Every cliche is true, and the nice engine in this one just helps the whole package.
Last edited: