31 replies to this topic

[gaspen]

Hello

 

There is this little car for sale near my home. Asking price is about 1500 GBP in english money.

 

They say it has matching numbers, it was not molested, looks pretty complete but is "just a 850" from 1971. 

 

Does it make any sense to restore it to original ? I'd go for repair the rusty panels instead of replace them.

 

Will it be a valued car ? 

 

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[stuart bowes]

I'd want to see under the carpets and in the boot, under the sills, etc, all the usual places

 

so far all we can see is a few rusty corners on outer panels and that is quite possibly the tip of the iceberg

 

it looks like all along the bottom of the doors and rear quarters is in need of work as well, presumably same both sides or similar, and therefore possibly also the step, inner and outer sills .. 

 

all of which is totally standard normal repairs for a mini I guess and totally repairable 

 

couldn't comment on value but wouldn't expect huge profit after costs of repairs, definitely worth it for someone who wants to rebuild and keep though I'm sure

Edited by stuart bowes, 24 October 2023 - 08:23 AM.

[DeadSquare]

Sadly, it will never be "A valued car", as it is one of over 5 million, but it will have the good fortunate to be loved and cherished by you because you appreciate that it 'has not been molested'.

 

I hope that one day, you will bask in the glory of winning a Concorde d' Elegance.

[mab01uk]

A basic 1971 850 Mk3 Mini with magic wand gearbox is a pretty rare Mini even in the UK where they were once very common. Well worth restoring to original and despite what some say it will be a sought after car as time goes on.....people used to say Mk1 & Mk2 Mini 850's would always be cheap and undesirable but now even 'basket case' examples that would have once been scrapped are sought after as restoration projects.

A Mk3 850 is now probably a much rarer to find Mini than a Mk1 or Mk2 850 !

 

If you do buy and restore it would be of great interest as a project on the Mk1 Forum as well as TMF:-

http://mk1-forum.net

Edited by mab01uk, 24 October 2023 - 08:45 AM.

[gaspen]

I've already restored a Mini 1000 some years ago, I know what can I expect     Authi Mini 1000 - Mini Saloons - The Mini Forum

 

For an unknown reason I enjoy working on my own and I am not plan to selling it, but who knows. Maybe I'll prepare myself for the paintjob also....

 

Maybe I will visit the car on this week. See how it looks like...

[bpirie1000]

Every mini is worth restoring.

Most are 'Cooper'd and few and far between proper old school these days.

Keep it original and find a brochure for the age of car and go with original..

Completely your car though, build it the way you want and enjoy the car. That is the main thing.

[imack]

It's rare to see an unmolested mk3 in the UK, that looks a pretty good example.

[gaspen]

Today I visit the car. Pretty bad with some surprises. Both doors are in good shape as well as the roof and gutter. Front part of the floor and wings are gone as the rear subframe also. Sills were hided with sheet metal welded up, there isn't any ventilation. Rocker assembly is missing form the engine. Gear selecting is pretty easy in all gears.

 

The engine is a question for me. There is a misterious 'E' stamped on the label. Could be an exchange engine? Color of the block is black, with a green starter motor

 

Guessworks website says it should have a HS4 carb with a red spring 1976 on but it has a HS2.

 

Clock shows 880 TPM, but the final drive is 3.44 ?!

 

I could get it for 1300GBP

 

https://photos.app.g...9cnJMLVZ2g7WJR9

[imack]

A 1971 UK specification 850 with manual gearbox would have had an hs2.
That engine colour and rocker cover badges, dynamo and washer bottle all look correct for a 1971 car.

[gaspen]

A 1971 UK specification 850 with manual gearbox would have had an hs2.
That engine colour and rocker cover badges, dynamo and washer bottle all look correct for a 1971 car.

 

The car has an HS2, Guesswork's database suggests that it should have a HS4

 

What does that letter E on the engine number plate ?

 

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[imack]

No idea what the 'E' stands for I'm afraid.
Guessworks results are a bit confusing.
A 71 manual 850 had an hs2 from the factory. An automatic had an hs4 and an hs4 was factory fitted to a manual in either 1974 or 76.

[bpirie1000]

To be honest if it appears solid and the engine has good compression and anymissing parts can be sourced locally you can worry about the finner details later in the project.

Having a good base to start would be the priority. Bolt on bits are simple to do.

[gaspen]

Do you have any hint about its color ? Original licence says "Beige"

[Lplus]

Do you have any hint about its color ? Original licence says "Beige"

A good place to start would be minicolours.co.uk

[coopertaz]

could be champagne beige, paint code lmk on vin. regarding original you see very few original cars but whether to repair original panels or use genuine panels is up to you, many different views on here in the past. personally i would replace any panel with significent rust rather than patching will cost more in long run but maybe worth it if you intend to keep it. for resale value you will never be able to get money back