RE: You Know You Want To: 1959 Austin Mini. Unrestored
Discussion
mx5tom said:
I've never really been all that fussed with Minis. After seeing this... I know now that I need one.
...maybe not this particular one though.
If they weren't so expensive (for what they are) I think I'd be saving one ASAP.
They are out there, mid eighties bog spec ones are still semi affordable, anything with a Cooper badge seems to double the price, it is easy to match or improve on a Cooper with aftermarket parts, I would be looking for something not too rusty, with an engine conversion to something with 70 plus bhp, still do-able for three grand or so....maybe not this particular one though.
If they weren't so expensive (for what they are) I think I'd be saving one ASAP.
greggy50 said:
That only fetched £4,750 wow seems a steal for that...
If you look and not too hard either, you can find an early Mini if you have £5k spare. I just did a quick search and found this immediately on ebay.
What do you think this one is worth? Another steal?
Ok, it's a tad later on a 1961 plate, but it's got floor start, apparently only 33,000 miles from new and in vgc by the look of it.
Seller is asking £5.5k and comes with new MOT ready to drive away.
That pile of rust that is No. 8 off the line is over-hyped, over-priced. If it were No 1 off the line, yes, that's of historical importance, 8th means nothing.
And I still say the driver's door is not original if that is 'red' paint, so what else has been changed?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
There are many types of people interested in automotive stuff. Two such 'types' are:
Those willing to chance their arm when selling 'provenance'.
and
Those foolish enough (and wealthy enough) to pay for 'provenance'.
I have nothing against Mini's, but I'll wager that there is no difference between the first or the eighth or the umpteenth off the production line. It's just a collection of parts of metal (oxide) and nothing more. If it's 'value' is in the fact that it's unrestored, then it's got to be diminishing returns as I'm sure that, in years to come, nobody is going to pay more for a pile of rust and some perished rubber. It's going to be like playing musical chairs with car values.
Spend £12-15k on a more than half decent quattro (another true 20th century icon) and at least have some fun before the bills start mountng-up!
Those willing to chance their arm when selling 'provenance'.
and
Those foolish enough (and wealthy enough) to pay for 'provenance'.
I have nothing against Mini's, but I'll wager that there is no difference between the first or the eighth or the umpteenth off the production line. It's just a collection of parts of metal (oxide) and nothing more. If it's 'value' is in the fact that it's unrestored, then it's got to be diminishing returns as I'm sure that, in years to come, nobody is going to pay more for a pile of rust and some perished rubber. It's going to be like playing musical chairs with car values.
Spend £12-15k on a more than half decent quattro (another true 20th century icon) and at least have some fun before the bills start mountng-up!
Ermm...no I don't want it. Personally, I think it should be taken aorund the back of the garage and put out of it misery.
Isn't there something rather saddening about a car just being left to rust away for years?
Also at £12-15k doesn't this make it a bit of a poor investment? How much would you have in the bank now if you simply put the £500 or so list price in the bank in 1959?
Isn't there something rather saddening about a car just being left to rust away for years?
Also at £12-15k doesn't this make it a bit of a poor investment? How much would you have in the bank now if you simply put the £500 or so list price in the bank in 1959?
FourRingCircus said:
There are many types of people interested in automotive stuff. Two such 'types' are:
Those willing to chance their arm when selling 'provenance'.
and
Those foolish enough (and wealthy enough) to pay for 'provenance'.
I have nothing against Mini's, but I'll wager that there is no difference between the first or the eighth or the umpteenth off the production line. It's just a collection of parts of metal (oxide) and nothing more. If it's 'value' is in the fact that it's unrestored, then it's got to be diminishing returns as I'm sure that, in years to come, nobody is going to pay more for a pile of rust and some perished rubber. It's going to be like playing musical chairs with car values.
Spend £12-15k on a more than half decent quattro (another true 20th century icon) and at least have some fun before the bills start mountng-up!
< This Those willing to chance their arm when selling 'provenance'.
and
Those foolish enough (and wealthy enough) to pay for 'provenance'.
I have nothing against Mini's, but I'll wager that there is no difference between the first or the eighth or the umpteenth off the production line. It's just a collection of parts of metal (oxide) and nothing more. If it's 'value' is in the fact that it's unrestored, then it's got to be diminishing returns as I'm sure that, in years to come, nobody is going to pay more for a pile of rust and some perished rubber. It's going to be like playing musical chairs with car values.
Spend £12-15k on a more than half decent quattro (another true 20th century icon) and at least have some fun before the bills start mountng-up!
and to add insult to injury it will cost a small fortune to restore and still drive like s
t 
As a confirmed Mini Nut - this car saddens me.
These things need to be driven, not left in Museums/Private collections. 15K for a very early rotten one is madness. Do nothing with it other than ogle at it's unrestored condition, because it might look good next a cherished example or has automotive 'provenance'?? Nuts
Restore It. Drive It. Enjoy it.
These things need to be driven, not left in Museums/Private collections. 15K for a very early rotten one is madness. Do nothing with it other than ogle at it's unrestored condition, because it might look good next a cherished example or has automotive 'provenance'?? Nuts
Restore It. Drive It. Enjoy it.
Edited by FWDRacer on Monday 23 April 12:27
That first picture of the Mini reminds me of the movie 'CHRISTINE' now if the car can rebuild itself to original new condition then maybe it's worth 12-15k. I had a 75 Clubman, BL at its best(worst)as my first car. It was 1981 the Mini was only 6 years old and I was doing Dukes of Hazard impressions to get in it, as the drivers door had already sunk and the rust was rampant. My sister once got out of the car to leave her high heel stuck in the rotten floor. With time people view these cars through tinted glasses, however the reality of Mini ownership at the time was a pain in the a**e and a hole in the wallet, spending every weekend replacing parts, filling in new rust holes.
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