First post, new member.
I live in the US and have decided to find a classic Mini. I’m familiar with British cars having owned two MGAs and a Healey Sprite.
In my search I’ve come across a 1996 Mark VII in extremely nice condition. This is a VIN-swapped car and now properly registered as a 1970. I understand the distaste for VIN swapping but almost every later model classic Mini in the US has this because that’s often how they make it through customs and registration. The Mini I've found is a typical Mark VII with 13” wheels, modern dash, fuel injection, etc. Because the car is registered as a 1970, there is no reason to keep the injection and the seller has all of the parts to convert it to a carbureted car. So that’s good, but I do have a preference for Mark III or earlier cars. For some reason, I just like the simplicity of them – especially the interior with the gauges in the center of the dash.
So, my question: would it be too much of an undertaking to convert this Mark VII to mimic the look and feel of the older Mark III? Is it possible if one has all of the proper parts to rip out the more modern interior in favor of the older one? I realize that ditching the 13” wheels is probably harder to do because the body work was likely modified to accommodate them, is that correct? What about the suspension?
Given that I haven’t purchased this car, would it be better to keep searching to an older vehicle? Remember, this is the US where nice Minis are harder to come by.
Any other advice from seasoned members? Thanks in advance for any suggestions out there….
Edited by NewMexicoMini, 12 September 2016 - 06:25 PM.
