Morris Mini MK1 1967 - Budapest!

[Inselaffe]

This is my MK1 Mini 848cc “Deluxe”. This is a project I’m embarking on over the winter with the aim to drive it next summer. Now I never set out to buy this car, but by some happy coincidences it came my way. I have known of it for a few years. My partners parents escaped from behind the iron curtain in the early 1980’s, ending her Fathers career as an Olympic weightlifting champion, but enabling her Mother to begin a dental practice in Dortmund where they still live. They kept the house in Budapest and passed ownership to the extended family and various spaces were rented for storage…

That’s where this little gem is, I have named her Dottie. She belonged to a neighbour, a mechanic who collects cars and film props. His collection includes a Morris Minor Traveller and the jet ski from one of the Bond films, if anyone is interested to hear more, it’s all for sale…

Currently, the car is in of one the outbuildings at the house in Budapest. I was visiting in the summer, because of Corona flying wasn’t possible. Land borders were however open between Germany, Austria and Hungary. My partners mother had to visit her elderly aunt, as she was struggling being alone, usually visits are monthly. So I volunteered to take her in my 992 C2S, it’s just a 2200km round trip and I love a road trip.

I was seeing the house for the first time and got shown around the courtyard and outbuildings where the car was stored. Now, I had heard the car was “rotten, old and useless”. When I took a look, it was clearly a solid car, with a running engine and most of the interior trim present and installed. The outside is complete, with the original hub caps, some rust on the bottom of a door and boot lid. It has that “old car” smell, and is just so cute. I fell in love.

It’s currently still there while I plan the work. Before I have it shipped, I’m getting the paintwork done professionally at Hungarian prices but to high standards. We have family connections which make this a good option for me.

The car comes with a bit of a story. It was brought over for an exhibition in 1967, and was sold on after. The car is a left hand drive, but the speedo is in miles not kilometres. She’s done 32000 miles, and has been stored inside for the last 6 years.

Things that I know need to be done…
She’s going to have her paintwork totally redone, with every spot of rust fixed. The only visible patches are the boot lid and surround, and the bottom of one door. I need to figure out the right paint code, and if anyone has any suggestions for how to best do this, please do share them. I’ve found a few sites with sample colours and as far as I know all the paint is original. I think it’s either RD-2 Colorado Red, RD-5 Damask Red, or possibly RD-9 Tartan Red #2. I’m guessing the VIN will tell me, and I think I want to stick with what was originally there, I don’t want to spray every inch of the car unless it absolutely needs it. Keeping things as original as possible.

The interior is grubby and needs love. I’m not sure whether to replace with a new “original” looking setup, or try to refurbish what is there. Please, do share your experiences of any good options, I have found a few kits but I know there will be some options that are better than others!

To underseal or not… Given we live in Germany where it rains, snows and can be inclement, I’m wondering if this will be a good idea? The car won’t generally be out in the worst weather as I have a Macan for that, but I want to be able to use Dottie whenever I feel like it and not worry. Storage will be in an underground car park, dry, but only as dry as the general air humidity.

A total service and general preventative maintenance. If it’s made of rubber, and could fail, it’s getting changed! I will be getting a new/refurbished fuel pump as I’ve heard the current one is troublesome.

I know these cars have a following, and I’m reading lots of forum posts trying to work out what to do and not do. I will post more pics in the next week or so, and as the build progresses. Any help, advice or opinions welcomed!

Edited by Inselaffe on Sunday 21st November 19:08

[QBee]

My first car was a 1967 Mk1 848cc Mini. I passed my test in it in 1970 and toured Europe in it for a month in 1974, all the way to Naples and back.
Try to keep it as original as you can. The long gear lever is very special, as it the left foot operated headlight dip switch. I had the wires come of that while descending Mount Vesuvius at night- at age 21 I didn't even slow down, just leaned down and pushed them back on.
Be aware that the ignition electrics are very exposed just behind the grille and won't like German winters - mine let me down in deep snow on more than one occasion.