once in a lifetime find

[w00dy]

One of my mini mates and his boss (who runs a rally car prep/classic restoration business) were invited to view 'some old mini' in the garage of a house that was being cleared.

Turns out its a 1962 S complete with paperwork and plates. Its been modified for mototsport use with the bonnet boxed for an 8 port head and carbs, an italian job style 3 leg cage and a few other bits. The engine's missing but most of the rest of the car is complete, well exept the shell, which seems to be rotten beyong the point of salvation.

They've to go back at a convinent time to collect it for free! No idea what they'll do with it for the time being, but nice just to have.

[Dino42]

I hate to be boring but:
With no engine or shell and presumably little trim, it seems the best bit you're left with is the paperwork, which is unfortunate since the S didn't start until '64 so that's not right either.
You sure it's not a straight Cooper rather than an S ?

[rougeleo]

didn't the 1070 start in 63. Even so more likely a Cooper ..maybe a 997??

[Dino42]

name said:

didn't the 1070 start in 63

My mistake, I think you're right Rougeleo, I was thinking of the 1275, but yes a 997 Cooper sounds the most likely, I believe they're quite rare now with the original engine?

[love machine]

My mate found a 60 ex-rallycar in the back of a garage, £400 and it's never seen a welder, foam filled sills, etc, etc. It looks a bit tatty but he's putting it on the road as it is. I'll post some photos when I'm in there next. Most original solid mini I've ever seen.

[PatHeald]

love machine said:

My mate found a 60 ex-rallycar in the back of a garage, £400 and it's never seen a welder, foam filled sills, etc, etc. It looks a bit tatty but he's putting it on the road as it is. I'll post some photos when I'm in there next. Most original solid mini I've ever seen.

In the early 1980s, the original owner of my 1972 998 gave up driving and parked the Mini next to the central heating boiler in her garage.

The car lay untouched until I bought it over 20 years later.

I have nearly finished recommissioning it. She has needed a water pump, thermostat, bypass hose, radiator hoses, petrol tank, brake master cylinder and six wheel cylinders.

It only needed one small plate welding into the o/s sill, the body is otherwise absolutely solid and original.

It has only done 11,000 miles from new.

I was going to drop in a 1300, cage and discs and then go hillclimbing, but it is too nice to chop around.

I paid £1500.

Not too sure what I am going to do with it after it has been MOT'd, as I could do with the space.

I am quite tempted to put her back into hibernation until my 9 year old daughter is old enough to drive.



>> Edited by PatHeald on Friday 9th September 08:09

[MR2Mike]

First thing to do is get a nice set of silver/black number plates for it!