RE: SOTW: Mini 1000

[Negative Creep]

I should have bought one when I passed my test really. Would love a Cooper, but the prices on them seem to get more outrageous by the week. Seems only just behind mk.1/2 Escorts in the Scene Tax league

[Chris_w666]

Negative Creep said:

I should have bought one when I passed my test really. Would love a Cooper, but the prices on them seem to get more outrageous by the week. Seems only just behind mk.1/2 Escorts in the Scene Tax league

Prices seem to at roughly 3 levels, <£1500 where you will need deep pockets or good skills with a spanner and welding set, £2500-£4000 where you will get a decent motor that is just starting to show signs of needing work or has had a lot of work carried out and is solid underneath, then >£6000 where you will start to find mint rebuilt and original cars that you really want to own.

[Jont999]

Understeery? Only on the boggy 145 standard tires, stick a decent set of 165s on there for about 50 quid a corner will sort that. The reason they are skippy is that the standard rubber springs are too stiff for the standard shocks, match a decent set and it'll go around corners like you wont believe especially with some negative camber in there too.

Slow? Only in standard form and what self-respecting PH member would leave it standard? My first car was a mk3 mini which I rebuilt with a 1293 engine with 95bhp at the wheels and it only weighed 650kg. I spent £3500 on it and it was a hoot on the track, the 4.5 gallon tank and crap mileage equalled a crap range but it spat flames out the exhaust so who cares

[Decky_Q]

I had a 1275 sprite when I was 16 waiting to pass test at 17, which I duely added stripes to, then 2 1/4" decat racing pipe, then air filter, then minilites, then new grill, spotlights..... ......and the list went on


loved it, was cheap as chips compared to friends first cars, was quicker than most 106's saxos etc. had some retro cool and ladies loved it because it had some modicom of charm.
No chance of ever ever getting a legover in it tho, even when I was alot smaller lol

[Shoot Blair]

Belfast Boy said:

Actually, going back a few weeks, I really would prefer the Skoda Estelle for some arse out action, even in 1000cc guise and a life away from Welders, >slightly< better build quality and some quirkyness.

Rally, RALLYCROSS, 24hr Nurburgring class leaders and champions, in other parts of the world.

Subaru, Porker,Lancia T/C engine transplants very easy and handling "characteristics" of a 911.

We are good in the UK of slagging other Countries cars and making Dirt of them, but when it comes to our own home brewed SH 1TBOXES, we cant see past the Rose tinted specs!

Thats why we have such a successful Motor production Industry here , right???
I am not talking Sports cars that only see PH meets and the like, I'm talking good Family cars that are not Japanese investments, because they feel sorry for Us?

But then I guess thats why Rover drivers have switched to Skoda/KIA/Hyundai now eh?

Paddy, can you post some of your "competitors" doing something similar?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU966ADlVIg

I'd be happy to drive a 205, 730i, Fiat 500 that was as chuckable as the above car with a few quids worth of mods.

Do show me.

[FWDRacer]

He's on his paper round...

[onomatopoeia]

Morningside said:

Owned quite a few, from standard 998 upto 1380 with twin 45 webers.

Splits (does that really make that much difference?) or did you have an eight port head?

[Morningside]

onomatopoeia said:

Morningside said:

Owned quite a few, from standard 998 upto 1380 with twin 45 webers.

Splits (does that really make that much difference?) or did you have an eight port head?

Oh Christ, now you are asking. That was about 20+ years ago. It was an 8 port head. Pulled like a train - Very noisy and 'petroly' (is that a word?). The mod was done by another chap.
I only had it running like this for a month as a very nice lady smacked me up the back causing all the exhaust system to bang forward ripping the engine off its mountings. It was then replaced with twin SU's

I do remember chasing a R5 Gordini. Hot on its tail and selected 1st instead of 3rd - That caused a bit of a whine.

Wish I kept a photo of it Painted in that lovely brown/yellow and the only thing that gave it away was the oil cooler.

Edited by Morningside on Tuesday 20th October 15:49

[kevo]

We use a mini as a runabout,And,I bought my wife one when she first passed her test...I currently own a 1985 mayfair and being honest..Thay have been some of the best motoring experiances in my time..There is nothing that can come close to its road holding and fun factor..Still very cheap to run even in todays climate...
Obviously your going to get neglected versions of any car...Ours still has origional inner and outer sills/floor pans/subframes ect even at 24 years old..Its longevity depends on how its been treated....A great little car in my eyes anyway....

Edited by kevo on Friday 23 October 16:04

[Blayney]

vpr said:

Morningside said:

Owned quite a few, from standard 998 upto 1380 with twin 45 webers. Fun cars but seeing one on the road now hell dont they look small?

.

Think this picture demonstrates your point perfectly

I'll add in this pic of my mini

[bjw970s]

Interesting array of comments!

As someone who still owns 2 one of which in estate form was my daily drive for 3 years (including a trip to Italy on the italian Job charity run) you can't beat them for cheap fun even in 1000cc form. (I also have a Locoblade and a 205 Rally car for comparison)

I would use one if I was driving round town only but I don't use mine as my daily drive is a good bit longer and I am getting old; the other is a historic papered cooper 's' rally car and still gets dirty, never failing to bring a smile to my face when we take it out to compete.

If I wanted a SOTW for crusing I would buy a German tank. If I wanted a SOTW for bit of fun and I could get a decent Mini for the magic grand then I would by one (or I was a better welder than i am!).

But sadly, unless you find that rare find of unmolested Mini, that hasn't been overpriced then the £1000 mark would be a stretch target for something that doesn't need TLC (then again classic car owners are not noted for their commonsense!

Edited by bjw970s on Monday 26th October 16:47