The Classic Mini

[Shelly]

First of all sorry to Jack for high jacking your welcome post .......
It was the photo of your Mini that got me talking so thought I'd start my own thread ......
I'd luv to own a classic Mini great little cars .....
Jim when your got a chance can you post pics pls of your mini .....
I know your got bad weather so any time will do , would just luv to see it ,
Any other members like the Mini
I'm going to have a look for photographs of our Mini when I was a little girl

 

[GazHyde]

Totally agree with you Shelly, would love to own one. Closest I got was the *coughs* BMW version, which to be honest has absolutely nothing in common with the classic model. Similar shape, and stupid location for the speedo is about as far as it went.

I only bought the MINI because at the time it was the only front wheel drive car that BMW made .

 

[Shelly]

My daughter has got the Mini Cooper ( 6 years old) but it's not a scratch on the classic Mini
Maybe one day I will own one , but they are so expensive and I expect a lot of money if you get any problems with it , we had a Mini Clubman when I was a little girl , used to luv that car
I'd never swop the Z for a Mini as I luv that car too
Hopefully one day I'll get to drive one

 

[Kit]

I love the Classic Mini I had 2 of them back in the 80's, and went on trips from Cornwall, to Liverpool, to Slough, on a monthly basis to see family and my girl friend (now wife), not fast but always got there never called the AA once in 4 years.
About 3 years ago saw one advertised in the paper and went to see it fell in love with all over again all the memories came flooding back, simple to work on repair etc. Then I went for a test drive, and oh no, it was noisy clunky rattly, I had been spoiled with modern cars over the years, and had got older so needed a better seat, so now I just love to look at them but could not live with one, maybe the BMW version

 

[zedonist]

Here you go Shelly and not too much:

 

[t-tony]

Many years ago we used to race Formula 2 stock cars at Boston Stadium. Once a year there was a Saturday and Sunday double meeting. One particular year Shirl and I were going to travel on down to Gt. Yarmouth for holiday but after a great nights racing and a few beers on Saturday evening it pi$$ed down and all our gear got soaked. Upshot was we spent the night in my Mini in sleeping bags wedged into Corbeau bucket seats, not recommended, worst night ever. That was in BOP 524K. Red Mini 1000.

Tony.

 

[zedonist]

I had Cobra fishnet Seats in my mk2 escort, but I don't remember the fishnets looking like this:

 

[roadvoyager1]

I never owned an original Mini, but friends had them (one bought a 850cc brand new for £600) and I used to drive the works Mini van on a regular basis. Despite a tiny engine they had a resonable turn of speed (or so it seemed at the time) and were great fun to drive. In practical terms cars of that era were prone to rust and the Mini was no exception. I am with @Kitcat - Sometimes it's better to have the happy memory than revisit the experience.

 

[oldcarman]

I had Cobra fishnet Seats in my mk2 escort, but I don't remember the fishnets looking like this:

View attachment 11307

I've never enjoyed fishing but pulling in fishnets has taken on a new meaning for me!!

 

[oldcarman]

I never owned an original Mini, but friends had them (one bought a 850cc brand new for £600) and I used to drive the works Mini van on a regular basis. Despite a tiny engine they had a resonable turn of speed (or so it seemed at the time) and were great fun to drive. In practical terms cars of that era were prone to rust and the Mini was no exception. I am with @Kitcat - Sometimes it's better to have the happy memory than revisit the experience.

I think everyone should hang onto a bit of the past, after all it's what formed us to what we are today. I own as many old cars as newer and prefer the old one's to be honest. I was talking to the parts manager at a Mercedes dealer one day and told him I had a 58 190sl I was restoring. He said he preferred the new ones. He almost fell over when I told him the 58 was selling, restored, for almost double what the new one was and I just noticed one for just under a half million US$ advertised. Guess I should get mine finished!! JIM

 

[Shelly]

Would luv the see the pictures of all your old cars Jim
What kind of collection have you got
Are you restoring all of them

 

[oldcarman]

@Shelly will take some pics once the snow's gone for you. And, I won't live long enough to restore them all! Several were to save them from being scrapped and some as an investment due to rarity. To my wife they're all just junk cluttering up the back yard. Although she really can't see them for trees blocking them. The pic is a drag race car being built by my friend's students in BC for their high school drag racing program. I supply all parts they supply the labour and will all race against other schools. Once this is finished I'll take another of the same model to build a second car. JIM

 

[hard top]

Nice pic Jim, what is it?

 

[Shelly]

Wow that's amazing Jim .....
Can't wait to see the finished product
Will be lovely to see your photographs , but only when the snow have gone don't want you slipping on the snow

 

[oldcarman]

Nice pic Jim, what is it?

It started out as a 28 ford model a sport coupe body. It's sitting on model a frame with mustang II front suspension with rack and pinion and disc brakes. Running a 350 ci motor, auto trans and rear end from an 80 chev pickup. I have the 5 gal fuel cell and steering wheel to ship out and looking for headers. Will have a roll cage built in also. The next one is the same body style and will be old school rod. JIM

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

We've had three Mini's over the years Shelly, but they are a labour of love. The last one was a project car, I installed a big-bore engine, almost trebling the horsepower at the wheels. 118bhp, this was a very fast car. My Daughter used to get car sick sitting in the back of it. In the end we sold it to buy our MGB GT, which my daughter wasn't sick in.

Mike & Sandy

 

[Jack Ratt]

The last Mini I drove was when I passed my driving test way back in 1976. Had all my lessons in an Escort but that broke down the day before my test.

 

[oldcarman]

@Shelly maybe you'll be my inspiration to get the mini going next summer and I could do it sparkly blue. JIM

 

[Shelly]

@Shelly maybe you'll be my inspiration to get the mini going next summer and I could do it sparkly blue. JIM

Yeah that sounds great to me Jim
A Mini in sparkly blue sounds so cool
My favourite colour is blue and to add sparkles is even better
Bet it will be one hell of a looker , a head turner I bet

 

[Brian4]

Hi Shelly
Have a look at these videos for mods to a classic mini.

https://zroadster.org/threads/serious-modification.6319/#post-81244