What do people think of this clubman - should I buy it?

[Chris71]

Hi,

I've seen a fairly 'clean' looking modified clubman on ebay. Never owned a mini, although I've always had a soft spot for them, can anyone take a quick look at this and pass on any observations?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dl

Any help/advice much appreciated

Chris.

[Pat H]

It has been reshelled into a used shell.

When was that done?

Cos it ought to have been inspected by the local VRO and the current rules suggest that a reshell into a second hand body results in a Q plate.

I would proceed with extreme caution.

[Chris71]

Pat H said:

It has been reshelled into a used shell. When was that done? Cos it ought to have been inspected by the local VRO and the current rules suggest that a reshell into a second hand body results in a Q plate. I would proceed with extreme caution.

Hmm, thats worth checking out. I presume the rules changed when the SVA came in, as my Quantum has a completely different shell, but retains the registration of the original XR2 (that was built in '95 though). Its an interesting point.

On the upside, the bloke seems to know what he's tlaking about and the shell was rust proofed from new.

The main worry is I doubt my bike will fit in with that roll cage in the back. Actually, come to think of it, I'm not sure my bike will fit in full stop

[vodkakid]

the rear arches look like there attached the the lip on the arch and not the body(may be wrong)

[skyedriver]

It just doesn't look quite right somehow
Can't put a finger on it, may be the naff "grill", the wheels, colour or the front wings not fitting.
Sorry, wouldn't be interested looking at the pics even if the spec looks good.

[tim-d]

may be getting this completely wrong but... in addition to points outlined already - I'd bet the paint was applied with the body fully fitted up - see pic of rear valance - the exhaust clamp is thoroughly body coloured - just a guess but this could be hiding some real nasties..... but when all is said and done the components of this car would seem to be worth the current bid.....

[tim-d]

Come to think of it what is the exhaust clamp doing outboard of the valance anyway?

[Chris71]

I think the lack of space with that roll cage kinda excludes for me anyway

Think I can just about accomodate anything I'm likely to want to carry in the back of a normal mini. With a cage in it may be a different story.