850cc of pure motoring pleasure
Discussion
Picked up this little beauty a couple of months ago. I started looking for a mk1 that i could cooperise - having yearned for a mk1 S since i first saw the italian job as a kid. When i spotted the add i wasnt keen on the colour, nor the 850, being used to minis with many more horses.
But in the flesh the rich dark maroon goes lovely with the satin beige interior. Its not pristine but the doors are without a blemish, it has the proper 4 vent sills not the usual oversills, the floor is solid and original. Its a good usable classic and i dont want to change a thing, just get it all working as it shoud (especially the fuel gauge - grrrr).
On the road its a dream to drive, the magic wand gear stick glides into place, the steering is so so light, better than any modern car with power steering. It pulls strongly if not rapidly and you can cruise at 50-60mph and still have a conversation as long as the windows are shut, its more fun to drive this to its limits than a 120mph car you cant make use of. The hydro suspension has plenty of but not too much bounce, even with all that negative camber on the rear and skinny camacs its such fun to corner, with hardly an occassion to lift off.
I enjoy driving this mini more than any others ive owned and it reminds you what the mini experience is really all about. People love it too, so many want to talk about it and reminisce, not many other cars of what ever price get quite the same attention.
I thought the way forward was a fully adjustable hard suspension, wide sticky tyres, hairy cam, 100+bhp, ok that can be fun but in a slightly scary masochistic way. But no a 1965 850cc is where its really at.
But in the flesh the rich dark maroon goes lovely with the satin beige interior. Its not pristine but the doors are without a blemish, it has the proper 4 vent sills not the usual oversills, the floor is solid and original. Its a good usable classic and i dont want to change a thing, just get it all working as it shoud (especially the fuel gauge - grrrr).
On the road its a dream to drive, the magic wand gear stick glides into place, the steering is so so light, better than any modern car with power steering. It pulls strongly if not rapidly and you can cruise at 50-60mph and still have a conversation as long as the windows are shut, its more fun to drive this to its limits than a 120mph car you cant make use of. The hydro suspension has plenty of but not too much bounce, even with all that negative camber on the rear and skinny camacs its such fun to corner, with hardly an occassion to lift off.
I enjoy driving this mini more than any others ive owned and it reminds you what the mini experience is really all about. People love it too, so many want to talk about it and reminisce, not many other cars of what ever price get quite the same attention.
I thought the way forward was a fully adjustable hard suspension, wide sticky tyres, hairy cam, 100+bhp, ok that can be fun but in a slightly scary masochistic way. But no a 1965 850cc is where its really at.
do you know, ive had loads of minis, and spunked some serious cash on hot motors over the years
now im older and wiser, im discovering that the best minis are often the least tuned ones, the sort of car that you can drive without going deaf, or watching the temp gauge like a hawk.
im now sad enough to have a 1430 arden 8 port motor sat under my bench that I cant be arsed to fit to my road car (despite it been a 20 year dream) as I know that it will just spoil it...
that burgundy and tan combo looks great!
now im older and wiser, im discovering that the best minis are often the least tuned ones, the sort of car that you can drive without going deaf, or watching the temp gauge like a hawk.
im now sad enough to have a 1430 arden 8 port motor sat under my bench that I cant be arsed to fit to my road car (despite it been a 20 year dream) as I know that it will just spoil it...
that burgundy and tan combo looks great!
I'm about to start a full restoration of a 1964 Mini 850. It is one month older in registration date than my 1964 Cooper 'S' rally car. Almond green with a old English white roof.
Despite being Oct '64 registered, it has always been a 'dry' car, so I guess it was manufactured during July or early August 1964, immediately before they went hydro. Must get the Heritage Certificate.
I just need to sell the fully restored and totally rust-free 1997 Cooper MPI to make the space in my workshop - anyone?
Despite being Oct '64 registered, it has always been a 'dry' car, so I guess it was manufactured during July or early August 1964, immediately before they went hydro. Must get the Heritage Certificate.
I just need to sell the fully restored and totally rust-free 1997 Cooper MPI to make the space in my workshop - anyone?
Have to say totally agree with this post.. I have 2minis both 850 cc and awesome fun.... And the looks and waves you get are worth it...
I actually finished building my mk1 1963 and when driving home a girl threw a rose over the bonnet...
Think it was the car she loved not me......well the brakes weren't good enough to slow /stop or find out...
Keep it real 850 is the best.... Tried and tested..
Anyone with an 850 cc engine spare I am interested....
I know folks like pictures...
I actually finished building my mk1 1963 and when driving home a girl threw a rose over the bonnet...
Think it was the car she loved not me......well the brakes weren't good enough to slow /stop or find out...
Keep it real 850 is the best.... Tried and tested..
Anyone with an 850 cc engine spare I am interested....
I know folks like pictures...
Edited by Bpirie1000 on Sunday 11th August 08:23
Got my late Grandfathers car back on the road this year and during the resto I made sure it was done as close to how it left the factory in 850 guise. Its perfectly quick enough and all part of the experience, yes its not quick getting up to speed but as someone else mentioned on this thread it buzzes along at 50/60 quite happy and its all about carrying momentum which these cars achieve very well. It goes to show how slow people drive these days when others are the ones that generally slow up progress (apart from steep inclines and then its me dropping down the gears and watching the speedo fall 
). The main trouble with 35bhp is when you come across these dawdlers there's no poke to overtake but when driving a classic like these you don't need to drive fast to have fun in them.
The car gets so many thumbs up, smiles and appreciation from total strangers when out and about which is quite fun and back to the 850 theme of the thread I've had a lot of people at shows and events make a point of saying its so nice to see the car as it rolled off the line and how they remember them being. There are soooo many Cooper replica's or modified Mini's that I guess keeping original is a rare thing is itself for the lesser more "common" models.
Absolutely love it, and not once since driving it have I craved for more power from the car. I guess when bhp is so easy in modern cars going back to basics is a novelty that can be enjoyed for what it is
). The main trouble with 35bhp is when you come across these dawdlers there's no poke to overtake but when driving a classic like these you don't need to drive fast to have fun in them.The car gets so many thumbs up, smiles and appreciation from total strangers when out and about which is quite fun and back to the 850 theme of the thread I've had a lot of people at shows and events make a point of saying its so nice to see the car as it rolled off the line and how they remember them being. There are soooo many Cooper replica's or modified Mini's that I guess keeping original is a rare thing is itself for the lesser more "common" models.
Absolutely love it, and not once since driving it have I craved for more power from the car. I guess when bhp is so easy in modern cars going back to basics is a novelty that can be enjoyed for what it is
My Dad has a Mini 850. I did try to find some photographs but the only I could find were of a feature in Mini Magazine around 15 years ago. Has only completed just over 1,000 miles since the feature, so now stands at just over 28,000 miles from new. Two previous owners, never restored, never welded, still has the original underseal (plus sticker on the rear window) and in the photographs the original Firestone crossplies; although generally runs original 70's slotmags with Yokohama's.
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