New guy, with a Mini.

[LiamB]

Hey Guys, I am Liam.

I am 15 and from London.

I have been into Cars since I was 6 when my Step Dad got a rather large Jag.

Last November I made a purchase of a 1989 Austin/Rover Mini Mayfair for my first car. It is in reasonable condition with a bit of surface rust, but I have huge plans for it.

Pictures;

[Butter Face]

Always forget just how small Classic Minis are compared to modern stuff!

Looks like it needs some love, good luck.

I had a Mini for my first car 11 years ago and it felt old then. Good on you. Just go careful in it!

[LiamB]

Butter Face said:

Just go careful in it!

Seen some bad stuff happen to them. Know someone that rolled one and got really badly injured. Mini was a huuuuge write off.

But I'm not one of those teenagers that is going to be trying to race everything on the road, and think every bit of straight road is a drag strip.

[Butter Face]

Thats what I said a decade ago

My Mini ended up with a full rebuild after going into a hedge (Don't try and show off the girls)


Just do this the right way, deal with the rust, buy the best you can get hold of/afford.

[LiamB]

Well, I have technically already had a crash at a Rally School I went to. The Teacher/Tutor told me to pull the handbrake at the wrong moment and went into some tires/ a hedge... so lets hope that is the only one I have in a small car aha.

[Kaizer]

Love classic Mini's, give it some TLC and it should go up in value.

Can't believe how much a nice JCW's cost now a days.

[soad]

Something very cool about these motors, appeals to many.
Welcome to the PH, chap.

[johnnyBv8]

Congrats on your first purchase.

What've you done to it in the past 6-7 months and what plans do you have for it?

[davepoth]

Quite a nice colour that, congrats on the purchase. One thing I will say is that a white roof and bonnet stripes don't go with pale metallic paint (I have a mate who did it, I don't think it looks that good); black stripes would probably work though.

What does the rust look like?

[LiamB]

johnnyBv8 said:

Congrats on your first purchase.

What've you done to it in the past 6-7 months and what plans do you have for it?

Been sitting there for the past few months, I got it to run by cleaning out the carb (Horrible things), replacing HT Leads and Spark Plugs

Video of it starting first time here;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0uKSfN_HZE

Plans are to get it resprayed to the original Red color it was. Has had a disgustingly bad respray in grey.
Keep it standard-ish, not gonna have the same cliche Red Mini with huge arches and Minilites.

Gonna have 12' Revo's with the same sort of arches, lowered a tiny bit at the back to level it out. Interior is getting a whole new look, going to get Cobra Classic seats, new headlining, dashboard etc.

May even replace the engine for a 1275 as I have been offered a 1275gt engine for £300.

[LiamB]

davepoth said:

Quite a nice colour that, congrats on the purchase. One thing I will say is that a white roof and bonnet stripes don't go with pale metallic paint (I have a mate who did it, I don't think it looks that good); black stripes would probably work though.

What does the rust look like?

The rust isn't as bad as I expected it to be, bit of surface rust here and there, a small hole in the boot but the floor and everything else is fairly sound.

[kambites]

Looks nice - look after it and drive it sensibly and it should make a great first car.

[sebhaque]

Welcome - looks nice! I have a couple of Mini spares in the garage from mine if you're after anything. Can offer you a 1275 engine for £250

[y2blade]

Welcome, cracking Little Mini you have there.


Following with interest.

[Garlick]

Nice car that, I've always wanted a Mini.

Welcome aboard

[TheHeretic]

Top motor, well done young chappy! Lavender Hill as well?

[k3ybo]

so is it a 998?

I had a Mini for a couple of years, they really are a great ownership prospect.
Cost me very little to run, simple enough that I wasn't scared to do stuff myself, and didn't lose a penny in two years.

Everyone should have one IMHO.

So, what are your plans for it? I did the unimaginative stripping out, bucket seats, stage 1 kit w/loud exhaust.

I would buy it back if I saw it now!

[m44kts]

Butter Face said:

Always forget just how small Classic Minis are compared to modern stuff!

[LiamB]

Cheers for the welcome's!

Few more pictures I have on instagram;

[Fatboy]

Looks like a nice little mini - same colour that mine was when my brother bought it (his first car, 14 years ago!!!!).
If you're planning on changing the grill, I'd be interested in buying your current one...