Hi folks,
At the age of 20 I had a 1959 Mk1 850cc mini. Sliding front windows, push button start on the floor etc. etc.
I drove it illegally (no license) until I finally passed my test in '76.
I got a brand new company car (S Reg Fiat Mirafiori 131) and so the mini went.
This week (last Sunday night) I won a 1975 Mk3 souped-up mini in an online raffle. Talk about lucky!!! 
So for £12.95 outlay I have this little beast.
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A lot has been done to it and I am wondering how on earth I can maintain it when it departs from "standard" so much.
It is 49 years old, but has had some work done (like many ladies of that age).
Here's the spiel that went with the promotion....
Meet Gwen. Some of you will know this Mini as it was won by Alan Barton 2 years ago. Now she's back.
Having had a small fortune spent on her over the last few years which includes a full restoration with floors, inner & outer sills, boot floor, rear arches, rear valance and all the usual front end panels being replaced. Then freshly painted in Nardo grey to an extremely high standard with black contrasting accessories, this includes, painted stripes, roof, arches and all the chrome being matched. Paired with a 10 inch wheel conversion also finished in black (spot the orange painted insides) and brand new Yoko A008 165/10 rubber she's a GUARANTEED show winner! Has recently been fully Lanoguarded again.
Under the bonnet is a nicely modified 1275cc engine, everything was replaced when it was built. Has a stage 2 head with 21cc cambers etc that has literally just been re done. A nice lumpy cam with upgraded pistons and paired with an AC Dodd HIFF 44 carb, 3 branch LCB and full side exit Playmini exhaust system which of course sounds epic. The gear box has just been totally rebuilt meaning that this Mini wants for nothing. A full rolling road set up, resulting in a great 83.2bhp & 83.5 ibft, she will now be more like 90 bhp with the head just being redone. Upgraded 4 pot callipers and rear super fins plus braided hoses take care of all the stopping requirements. Of course everything underneath is adjustable and includes upgraded Gmax shocks, Hi-Los, tie bars & camber. The subframes have been removed and freshened and Alan every weekend after using her, had her up in the air with the wheels off for an intense clean, she's as good underneath as she is on top.
Internally you'll see the same attention to detail everywhere you look. The Mini SPi seats are a thing of beauty and like new. Union Jack door card and rear parcel shelf with contrasting orange stitching tie in very neatly with the splashes of orange around the car and cabin plus the black carpets. An alloy gear knob, black leather 3 spoke black painted Mounty steering wheel and alloy door furniture finish this mini off perfectly. This is somewhere you will happily spend lots of miles.
In summary Gwen is one of our best to date, this Mini is stunning, perfect in every way, she has it all. This is one of the best Mini builds I've ever seen and will WIN whatever show it attends in my opinion.
Now it would be rude not to have a play with it wouldn't it? I suspect the insurance will be horrendous.
Anyone know how happily the DVLA will accept that it is now a different colour to the V5 and has a totally different engine?
I am new to "customised" mini's so all advice is very, very welcome.
TIA.
Dan.
.
