My SC got a little sibling

[jwakil]

After many years of wanting one, I finally got a classic mini. In fact, I was looking for the mini when I ran across my Porsche, but now I have both. I must say, I've never had people ask to take pictures of the SC, but in the three weeks I've been driving the mini, I've had several. The best thing about the mini is a tuneup at a local shop cost me a grand total of $50. The pictures are a little deceiving. The mini is truly a dwarf from all angles. In fact, it makes a Smart car look huge. However, it can can seat four quite comfortably.

[equality72521]

Nice. No ebrake?

[Beau G]

Good looking cars

[davidbir]

I remember being arrested by two BIG policemen in a Mini in England in the sixties-my buddy and I were in the back-no restraints, screen or anything but there was no way we were getting out of that car until they did!

Not long after I had a job delivering fresh fish. We had a Mini pick up and I would put just enough fresh mackarel in the back so that it was on it's bump stops and then drive, without lifting, the sixty odd miles to the shippers. Like a roller skate!

[twin plugged targa]

Excellent choice in cars!

I grew up learning to drive in a mini and if you ask most British men aged 30-50yrs old most have owned a mini at one time in their life!
Cheap fun cars to drive and own

Spares and modifications are CHEAP!!!!
You can buy a new, complete modified high performance engine for about $3-4K
Immaculate Cooper S circa 90's (not mk1 models) can be had for under $10K and you can get these switch to left hand drive for not much money
I see yours is right hand drive - which is always an issue overseas.

I may be looking at these cars in the not to distant fiture when I have to cash in my Porsche collection for my next property

Have fun!
And happy new year!

[Coldface]

Nice looking Mini. Congrats!

[jwakil]

Actually, $3-4K for a new engine is high for a mini. I've seen rebuilt fresh 1275cc ones for $1800-2k. A complete suspension upgrade is ~$500. I'm still learning about mine. It has some kind of upgraded 1275cc from a Metro, and believe it or not, the front brakes have 4 pistons each (they are also an upgrade). Everything is so light and easy to work on. I pulled off one of the wheels and could nearly toss it like a frisbie. The short wheel base makes going over bumbs at high speeds quite interesting. Have to admit, after driving the mini, when I get back in the SC it feels like a Cadillac. I actually like the right hand drive, more unique in the US. I thought shifting with the left hand would be awkward, but it really isn't, especially with such little force required to engage gears (not like the workout I get when trying to shift my 915 tranny). I just keep forgetting that the signal is on the right and wipers switch on the left. Every time I turn, my wipers come on . And yes, just like my SC when I bought it, the e-brake doesn't work properly.

[davidbir]

Originally Posted by twin plugged targa

Excellent choice in cars!

I grew up learning to drive in a mini and if you ask most British men aged 30-50yrs old most have owned a mini at one time in their life!
Cheap fun cars to drive and own

Since the Mini came out in 1959 I would say 70-80 yrs old! (Not me of course).

[Fritz Peyerl]

Look a Slot Car, Looks like it will fit on my grandsones slot car track