4 replies to this topic

[Jamie1234]

Hi all, Im 17(18 in June) and wanting a classic mini for first car (mainly because its the only car i can get affordable insurance for). I don't have £4000 plus to spend on a fully restored classic so was thinking about buying a car like this (http://www.ebay.co.u...7#ht_500wt_1202) and rebuilding it. I would like to strip it back to bare shell and weld the shell and subframes solid again. I would then put it back together using the same parts and hopefully end up with a mini that is rust free . Anyone got an idea of how much this would cost in total, would it be less than buying a restored mini? Would it be classed as a modification by insurers? How long would it likely take? I am fairly mechanically competent and anything I cant do dad would help me with .

[Scallywag630]

Hi and welcome to TMF. You can save yourself a lot of money if you can do the work . As for cost, it depends on how many panels you need and what you do to the engine etc. Being a first car, I would suggest you look for a 998cc model as it will be easier to insure.

[mab01uk]

This recent thread may also help you:
http://www.theminifo...restore-a-mini/

[mk1leg]

you should do a full resto over there for £3500 but you can save alot on doing most of the work yourself like cutting off old panels, striping down subs and referbing them, get your self the Haynes DIy restoration book br Lindsay porter a good book for starters like you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, good luck

[speediestevie]

hi
its great to rebuild a car yourself and is the best way to learn. i restored mine for about £2200 but did all the work myself but dont see why you couldnt do the same. took me just over a year to get mine mot'ed and its still not finished. as said before get a haynes book and use tmf and you quickly pick up what you need to do on a car. good luck