Looking to buy a 77 or 71 mini

[Guest]

I'm looking at a mini for sale in my area. On the windshield is a for sale sign that either says 77 or 71 not sure by the persons handwriting. The body all looks straight and pretty clean. It looks like there was damage in the front because the 2 front quarter panels are primer black and same with the hood. There is a bit of mold on the steering wheel and seats. It has been sitting there for around six months I drive by everyday going to work.

Also looks like it would need some new trim. But for a 30 or more year old car it looks great.

Also it is right hand drive are all of the older right hand drive? It says Rover on the steering wheels I though these vehicles were all made by Austin.

Sorry for my lack of knowledge but that's what this forum is here for right?

He wants $7000. Is that reasonable, if not what would be a good price for what I said above? Assuming it runs just needs the clutch and some cosmetics.

Also it would be great if anyone could tell me about how much the things I mentioned would cost. I would be able to do all work except paint and the clutch.

Thanks for ANY help or comments!

Chris.

[mascher]

Is this the red Mini with the white roof and black nose located around N. 130th St. and Meridian Ave. N.?

Kelley

[casrules]

Is this the red Mini with the white roof and black nose located around N. 130th St. and Meridian Ave. N.?

Kelley

It doesnt seem like it has a white roof. Maybe i overlooked that. But it is on meridian right on 185th however.

[casrules]

It does have a white roof. Anyone have suggestions? Things I should look for? Offers?

Thanks,

Chris.

[Dixminion]

Chris, It's deep breath time. Come to a meeting (March 18), learn a bit about the whole Austin/Rover/right hand/left hand thing. Find out what Mini suits your needs, then go looking for one. If the 185th and Meridian Mini was a deal it'd be gone by now.
Don

[mascher]

The car was last on Craigslist for $6000 although the posting just expired. It may show up again. The car was wrecked last year or in late 2006. There was some front end damage and a little on the right rear including a broken wheel. I believe the current owner bought it and added the fiberglass flip front and a new set of wheels and fixed up the suspension problems.

I think it is a late 1980s, possibly early 1990s, car that has been titled as a 1977 in order to import it around the 25 year rule. I can't remember if it's a Cooper Mainstream or not.

The car is probably not a bad deal but you would want to have it carefully inspected by someone who knows Minis. Don's suggestion about a meeting is good advice. I also keep a thread updated in the For Sale section of Craigslist Minis. Have a look there it will save you some searching.

Early Minis in the US tend to be left-hand-drive since they were sold here until 1968 and in Canada 1980. There have been a lot of early right-hand-drive imports from New Zealand in the last few years but usually RHD cars are late models. The Austin and Morris badges were gone by 1973 or earlier depending on where they were sold and they just became Minis. British Leyland became Rover in 1986 and the Rover badging came after that.

Cheers,

Kelley

[casrules]

The car was last on Craigslist for $6000 although the posting just expired. It may show up again. The car was wrecked last year or in late 2006. There was some front end damage and a little on the right rear including a broken wheel. I believe the current owner bought it and added the fiberglass flip front and a new set of wheels and fixed up the suspension problems.

I think it is a late 1980s, possibly early 1990s, car that has been titled as a 1977 in order to import it around the 25 year rule. I can't remember if it's a Cooper Mainstream or not.

The car is probably not a bad deal but you would want to have it carefully inspected by someone who knows Minis. Don's suggestion about a meeting is good advice. I also keep a thread updated in the For Sale section of Craigslist Minis. Have a look there it will save you some searching.

Early Minis in the US tend to be left-hand-drive since they were sold here until 1968 and in Canada 1980. There have been a lot of early right-hand-drive imports from New Zealand in the last few years but usually RHD cars are late models. The Austin and Morris badges were gone by 1973 or earlier depending on where they were sold and they just became Minis. British Leyland became Rover in 1986 and the Rover badging came after that.

Cheers,

Kelley

Thanks for the input! I do plan on going to that meeting sounds fun even if I don't buy that mini.

How do you know the history of the car? Did it say all of that on the craigslist post? Just wondering. That would mean he is atleast honest.

Any suggestions of who to have inspect it? Hopefully close to that area.

I am by the way looking for a bit of a project.

Thanks,

Chris.

[mascher]

Dave B. and I went to look at it when the guy who had the accident in it first put it up for sale. The guy who bought it and did the repair was at the Mini Clinic at Chuck's last May. The wheels on the car came from Karynne's car when she switched to a set of 12" wheels that I sold her. That's the condensed version.

If the price isn't too high for you, it's probably a good project. I think it should have the front sheet metal replaced, but I just don't like plastic flip fronts.

I'm not too far away so I could look at the car with you. No charge, no guarantees.

Cheers,

Kelley

[casrules]

Wow that's very generous of you. I'm used to bimmerforums.com I have an 89 325i vert. They are helpful but also not very kind with it and not many of them would offer to come out and look at a car.

Right now I am trying to figure out where I would keep and work on it. I'm a younger guy and live in an apartment complex as of now.

I'm wondering if it would be best to buy it and have someone else do most of the work to fix it up because of my lack of a garage.

Any shops that specialize in Mini's that you would recommend?

I would still do the work that doesnt need welding or and engine and or car lift.

Thanks,

Chris

[Dixminion]

Let me know when you're going to look at the car. I'd like to tag along if possible. Don

[kenru]

I drove that car. It is rough. The repair to the front was done poorly, there was lots of standing water in the Mini. I would suspect tons of rust (plus the steering was very loose.)

[James T]

For that kind of money, there are much better cars.

[casrules]

I have decided to wait. I'm shopping around being a little more open minded.

Thanks for all the input!

It came down to the car being there for about 6 months or more and talking to the seller a few times. It is just to much of a project for me at this time.

I'm looking at a little yellow one right now but I'm not going to jump on anything til the price and car is right for me.

For now though I am planning to go to the next meeting and see what this "scene" is all about.

Thanks,

Chris.

[Dixminion]

Oh great! Now we're a "scene".
Chris, join us Saturday for the Chuckanut drive. That'll be a scene. A slow scene, but a scene nontheless.
Don

You'll find it in the events section.