Discussion
My Porsche Indy has a very nice '59 850 in his shop at the moment that has covered 2400 miles from new. It's a light grey colour with blue plastic seats and obviously all original. Don't you just love those dog leg gear levers.
Currently has engine out and re-painted and little bits of surface rust on the front subframe being sorted.
It will soon be going back on the road although judging by past mileage, not very often.
Just thought you guys would be interested to know of such an original piece of history that still exists in this recyclable world.
Currently has engine out and re-painted and little bits of surface rust on the front subframe being sorted.
It will soon be going back on the road although judging by past mileage, not very often.
Just thought you guys would be interested to know of such an original piece of history that still exists in this recyclable world.
If i were you i would buy it asap and restore it, keeping it as original as possible.
id leave it standard, the purity of the design of those 59/60 cars is amazing. they where so basic, yet handle and go so well. its when you drive one and then look at the drudge that was avalible to the common man to buy as an alternative that you realise how they got it so 'right'
and without the use of computers, think tanks, design teams and the required tools of the trade today!
i also saw a 3000 mile early mk1 go for 10 grand (plus commision) last year, so it would pay for the owener not to spoil it but overestoring it and ruining it.
still, a early mini with a good engine in it...........
and without the use of computers, think tanks, design teams and the required tools of the trade today!
i also saw a 3000 mile early mk1 go for 10 grand (plus commision) last year, so it would pay for the owener not to spoil it but overestoring it and ruining it.
still, a early mini with a good engine in it...........
Chris Spennewyn has a 1960 in Clipper Blue with about 3000 miles on it. It's totally originally and absolutely as-new.
AS you say guru1071, the original was fantastic. I was 18 when the Mini came out and although I couldn't afford one on my apprentice's pay I dreamed of owning one. The general roadholding, even on Dunlop cross-ply tyres, was a revelation when compared with A35's, Minors, 100E Anglias, VW 1100's, etc. Reliability was a bit suspect at first with oil getting onto the clutch and water leaking in through the floors, but that was soon cured in production. I got my first 850, a 1961 model, in early 1963 and just loved it. Then, in June 1964 I bought a new Austin Cooper 998 (red with a specially sprayedwhite roof). By then I was working as a contract draughtsman and earning £30+ a week. That was a lot of money in those days.
My g/f, later my first wife had a Mini Van as well, so we were a 2-car family when we married in 1965.
If anyone is interested I know where there is a 1959 for sale. It needs a minor bit of tidying up, but no welding. It's very original although it has a later engine with the improved primary gear seal arrangement. The original '59 engine is with it, apparently. It's in Biggleswade and the guy wants around £3500 for it.
AS you say guru1071, the original was fantastic. I was 18 when the Mini came out and although I couldn't afford one on my apprentice's pay I dreamed of owning one. The general roadholding, even on Dunlop cross-ply tyres, was a revelation when compared with A35's, Minors, 100E Anglias, VW 1100's, etc. Reliability was a bit suspect at first with oil getting onto the clutch and water leaking in through the floors, but that was soon cured in production. I got my first 850, a 1961 model, in early 1963 and just loved it. Then, in June 1964 I bought a new Austin Cooper 998 (red with a specially sprayedwhite roof). By then I was working as a contract draughtsman and earning £30+ a week. That was a lot of money in those days.
My g/f, later my first wife had a Mini Van as well, so we were a 2-car family when we married in 1965.
If anyone is interested I know where there is a 1959 for sale. It needs a minor bit of tidying up, but no welding. It's very original although it has a later engine with the improved primary gear seal arrangement. The original '59 engine is with it, apparently. It's in Biggleswade and the guy wants around £3500 for it.
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