Classic 70s Mini cooper as a quirky hobby car?

[twobone]

I'm pretty sure I'm on the right track, but its always fun to get others opinions

I've had a wide variety of hobby cars (as per my signature).

Right now I have an 05' Mazdaspeed Miata, which is an amazing all-rounder, but its just not weird and wacky enough for me.

My classic british sensibilities and my love of motoring history, leads me to desiring a 70s Mini.

Right now I have my eye on a rust free 1000cc (single SU carb) green mini (LHD) with a white roof and 10inch rims (thats diameter not width!). The owner is out of town, so I have not driven his car yet. I did drive a later 1.3 injected model on a short test drive.

It was reasonably peppy. The driving position was bizarre. The interior was funky/fun. The ride was actually quite pliant. The gear box synchros did not want to be rushed. I'm sure I looked like a total nut-bar in it.

In the end, what I really want is something that will make both myself and the people around me smile when they see it. Something that will stand out at a local cars and coffee. I want something that I can improve and customize to my own liking over time without breaking the budget. I also want to have a drivers car that will make me want to jump in it and rip to the corner store or the local twisties.

Any current or former classic mini owners out there who can either share or counter my logic?

[herr_oberst]

Not an owner, but saw about 15 of them yesterday on a run; Without exception, every driver, every passenger (and every spectator) had a huge grin on their face as they passed by.

[Rikao4]

Sis had one in HS..
she flogged it and it was difficult to kill..
remember all 4 of the ground..
coming over a crest in VA..
good times..
saw one last wk..
folks slowed down..
lots of horns and thumbs up..
or giggles..
folk seem to know / recognize the real thing..

Rika

[nota]

rode in a 67s 1275
and a older 1100 cooper s
back in the late 60's a bit

the 1275 is the one to get
they are much quicker

anyway there are very few usa 70+ mini's
even less in the tropic's as they do rust
so no idea what a newer 1000 is like
but rust free is an ideal and swap in a better motor ++++

[wdfifteen]

I don't know about a '70s Mini. I had a '63 with a 1275 BMC A block, dual side draft Webbers, and Minilites. It was an absolute blast. It handled better than a Spridget with the same motor and had more interior room. But I wanted a Porsche.
I'd do it.

[Willem Fick]

A real fun little car. Not for tall people though. Oh yes, do an electric fuel pump conversion as the mechanical pump sits under the exhaust manifold an only fails when the exhaust is hot...

[Aerkuld]

Learned to drive in one, and owned two when I was in the UK. I'd love another, but they cost so much over here compared to what I could have got one for there it holds me back.

This was my favorite - not very stock. 1380cc (over bored 1275, with hi-lift cam and rockers, Janspeed LCB exhaust, 1275GT disc brakes, negative camber front and rear, Hi-Lo's, adjustable shocks, 13" wheels, fully caged, one-piece fiberglass front, and Group 5 arches.

Small car, HUGE fun.

It was a blast to drive, more like a go-kart than a car, noisy. The number of modifications that can be done are endless. Very simple to work on and maintain.

Pretty sure you wouldn't regret it. But if you do, there are plenty of people who would be willing to take it off your hands.

[Alan A]

Cool cars.
Handle great and roomier than you'd expect.
I'm 40lbs better fed than the last time I drove one, and I suspect it would seem too slow now.

If you want something small that'll bring smiles look for a 105E Anglia.
That was a fun car, and with the Potter tie in is guaranteed to draw attention at a show. Put a Weber on it and it's peppier than you think.

[sc_rufctr]

Great car but they are getting old... Rust can be an issue.

The really nice ones will appreciate in value but a "banger" can be had for next to nothing.

Simple, robust and fun. The best of British motoring.

[dafischer]

Adding fuel to the fire...

1979 Mini 1275 GT | Bring a Trailer

[recycled sixtie]

Okay here we go Twobone. It reminds me of Mr. Bean's car. Fortunately I owned a basic 1972 austin mini bought new so I did not have to remember Mr Bean's antics with a turkey on his head(no he was not driving the mini with a turkey on his head). This was before distracted driving. Mr. Bean engaged in distracted walking on tv.

Roll back to 1972. It was a red car so I customized it by having the roof painted white.
Before I sold it I gave it an extra boost with a weber carb plus something else oh yes headers. After the novelty wore off and 30k miles it started to burn oil.

At 60 mph it sounded like a US political convention on steroids. Yes intense and noisy.
Back in 1966 I worked in the Yukon on the surface of a mine processing and packing the ore. A friend had a 1275 Mini cooper S. I was dead envious as I was a displaced Brit and I had no car. Well I should not have been that envious. I was there in Winter and this mini got carburreter icing. Who would have thought?

So I had my fill of minis albeit one. The Miata is way more fun and modern. Gopher it if you need a buzz in your life but don't forget its 60's technology......

[Brian 162]

I saw one on Saturday at the Canadian Tire (Queensway/East Mall) cruise night.
I don't remember them being that small. This one had right hand drive.They're pretty cool cars probably cheap to fix.
I'd lose the Lucas electrics.

[Charles Freeborn]

Mini's are b*tchin' If I wasn't 6'4" I might be tempted. On the other hand.....this may sound totally weird but I've had to suppress the urge to buy this: https://salem.craigslist.org/cto/5691885024.html
3.8 v6.... same car as a chevy Monza... Could be a very cool sleeper... Okay, I'm over it. Back to wanting an Opel GT....

But then again, if you had a mini you could go all Binky on it... https://www.youtube.com/user/badobsessionmsport

[Willem Fick]

I am 6"2" and solved the space problem by relocating the seats further back, and installing a smaller steering wheel.


Mine was a Leyland Clubman. We fitted an 1100 crank with 1275 pistons and took 4mm off the deck. Gave us an 1100 engine that revved like crazy. Added double valve springs, twin side-draughts and the loudest free-flowing exhaust we could lay our hands on. Later also did a disk brake conversion. Man that was fun!

[911boost]

I really enjoy Project Binky.

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by Charles Freeborn

Mini's are b*tchin' If I wasn't 6'4" I might be tempted. On the other hand.....this may sound totally weird but I've had to suppress the urge to buy this: https://salem.craigslist.org/cto/5691885024.html
3.8 v6.... same car as a chevy Monza... Could be a very cool sleeper... Okay, I'm over it. Back to wanting an Opel GT....

But then again, if you had a mini you could go all Binky on it... https://www.youtube.com/user/badobsessionmsport

A friend is 6'6" and a 70 Mini was his daily driver. He looked like Grape Ape driving it. lol

[twobone]

Thanks guys. That BaT car has been advertised locally for a while. I'm going to try to get a LHD car. I live in a busy city with stupid drivers with lots of tough left hand turns. I don't need the stress. Great posts

[unclebilly]

Why not get a 911? I hear they are pretty good...

[dave 911]

I think old mini's are right up there with old air cooled VW's in terms of happy/fun factor. Never owned one though.

I get alot more smiles and thumbs up when I take the 62 beetle out for a drive than when I'm in the 911, and from the sounds of the other posters here, an old mini probably even more so than an old beetle!

I say go for it.

[targa911S]

I had a 64 Austin Mini Cooper. Really a fun car to drive, slow but glued to the road. Sash windows, not much of an interior. Push button starter on the floor. We used to call it the garbage can because it was like a tin garbage can with wheels. If you were ever hit by another car you would surely die in it. I wish I had it back again.