Some Mini advice, please...
Discussion
My first car was a 1978 Mini Clubman which was pretty rotten when I bought it. I'd had motorbikes before then, and I never liked the Mini. I was never sure if mine was just a bad example, but it didn't handle well, it was slow, and it seemed to need constant maintenance of the brakes and points. My brother did a nice job replacing the rear sub-frame, but we later found out we'd been sold the wrong 'rubber trumpets' so that might not have done the handling any favours! Having said all that, I still love the look of Minis, and I'm almost contemplating buying one!
However, are they really expensive now? What sort of price would a decent example cost? I'd prefer a car which wasn't going to need a restoration, but I don't suppose I could afford a mint example. I don't mind spending a bit to maintain it, but I wouldn't want something which required lots of garage time.
If I were to use it year-round, is there anything which can be done to keep rust at bay?
Is it possible to reduce the maintenance schedule? I don't think the drum brakes were balanced, nor self-adjusting, and I had to jack up the car and manually adjust the brakes with a square spanner. There were a few times when I experienced an almost complete lack of braking power, and I wouldn't want to go through that again!
I drive a Land Rover Defender so I'm okay with cars which have a bit of 'character', but because I didn't enjoy my first Mini I'm not completely convinced a Mini is for me.
I can't remember what happened to my old Clubman. I know I sold the registration plate for a few quid, and I think I might have scrapped the car after that. The car might have been worth a few quid now, although there probably wouldn't have been much left by now!
However, are they really expensive now? What sort of price would a decent example cost? I'd prefer a car which wasn't going to need a restoration, but I don't suppose I could afford a mint example. I don't mind spending a bit to maintain it, but I wouldn't want something which required lots of garage time.
If I were to use it year-round, is there anything which can be done to keep rust at bay?
Is it possible to reduce the maintenance schedule? I don't think the drum brakes were balanced, nor self-adjusting, and I had to jack up the car and manually adjust the brakes with a square spanner. There were a few times when I experienced an almost complete lack of braking power, and I wouldn't want to go through that again!
I drive a Land Rover Defender so I'm okay with cars which have a bit of 'character', but because I didn't enjoy my first Mini I'm not completely convinced a Mini is for me.
I can't remember what happened to my old Clubman. I know I sold the registration plate for a few quid, and I think I might have scrapped the car after that. The car might have been worth a few quid now, although there probably wouldn't have been much left by now!
Thanks very much for that!
I've had a look at a few Youtube videos. and some people have fitted disc brakes, so perhaps there are ways to reduce the necessary routine maintenance.
I don't understand the suspension arrangement - it looks like some Minis have Hydrolastic suspension, and others have the rubber 'trumpets'. I downloaded a catalogue from a Mini specialist, and they also seem to sell standard shocks and springs, so it looks like there might be multiple options.
The rust would be a worry. I remember visiting a kit car factory when I was passing through Southampton years ago (probably in the late 1980's). They made a fibreglass mini convertible body shell which was very similar in looks to a standard Mini. It was called the Domino Pimlico. I think it was of decent quality. You'd think there'd now be a market for something like that - a Mini which didn't rust!
The Heritage body shells seem to be expensive, but I imagine they'd be a worthwhile investment for an enthusiast if it were possible to prepare them so that there'd be no risk of them rusting.
I've had a look at a few Youtube videos. and some people have fitted disc brakes, so perhaps there are ways to reduce the necessary routine maintenance.
I don't understand the suspension arrangement - it looks like some Minis have Hydrolastic suspension, and others have the rubber 'trumpets'. I downloaded a catalogue from a Mini specialist, and they also seem to sell standard shocks and springs, so it looks like there might be multiple options.
The rust would be a worry. I remember visiting a kit car factory when I was passing through Southampton years ago (probably in the late 1980's). They made a fibreglass mini convertible body shell which was very similar in looks to a standard Mini. It was called the Domino Pimlico. I think it was of decent quality. You'd think there'd now be a market for something like that - a Mini which didn't rust!
The Heritage body shells seem to be expensive, but I imagine they'd be a worthwhile investment for an enthusiast if it were possible to prepare them so that there'd be no risk of them rusting.
Thanks for all the info.
That place in Bedlington has a good selection. I'm in the north of Scotland, but Bedlington is do-able in a day, so I might take a trip down there next year. I'll speak to the guy who rust-proofs my Land Rover, and see how hopeful he'd be about preventing rust in a Japanese import!
That place in Bedlington has a good selection. I'm in the north of Scotland, but Bedlington is do-able in a day, so I might take a trip down there next year. I'll speak to the guy who rust-proofs my Land Rover, and see how hopeful he'd be about preventing rust in a Japanese import!
toon10 said:
There's a dealer in my area who stocks good examples but they are all around the 8 to 10k mark. https://www.silverlinkspecialistcars.co.uk/
Do you know if this dealer has ceased trading? I was hoping to go and see their Minis this summer! However, their website now seems to be diverted to some sort of dealership group. Gassing Station | Classic Minis | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff