Wanted: Mark I Project Car

Discussion in 'Want to Buy' started by Stiner0931, Jul 7, 2016.

  1. Stiner0931

    Stiner0931 New Member

    Jul 7, 2016
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    Hi -

    I'm looking for a mark I project car with the rubber (non-hydrolastic) suspension. Expecting to do a full restoration and have the car on a rotisserie.

    Am located in Cleveland, but will travel for the right chassis.

    Does anyone have any leads?? Please email or PM.

    Thanks,
    Jason
     
  2. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Welcome to MA! Good luck on finding the right car. We have some classic guys here that may be able to help.
     
  3. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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  4. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    Do you want a complete car or would a complete shell w suspension work?

    Mark 1's are getting spendy these days!

    PM sent.
     
  5. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    Welcome to Motoring Alliance and good luck in your quest !!
     
  6. BruceK

    BruceK Active Member

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    I was in San Antonio this past weekend and I spotted a Mk. I Mini that isn't being driven anymore.










    You might need a ladder. :biggrin5:







    Looks to be about a 1966 Morris Mini and they installed it up there with the engine intact! I know it has been there for at least 20 years, and even though it is a dry climate, the years have not been kind to the Mini. As there are fewer and fewer Mk. I Minis around, I wonder if this one will ever be saved?






    .
     

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  7. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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  8. BruceK

    BruceK Active Member

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  9. BruceK

    BruceK Active Member

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    A couple more:


    Looks to have been a genuine Mini Pickup before the umm... improvement. Mini pickups are rare beasts, and since the sheet metal on the back end of a Mini Pickup is not exactly complicated, it might actually be possible to return this one to pickup form.

    https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/5640535535.html


    A pair of Mini van bodies for $1,200

    http://wichita.craigslist.org/cto/5658401043.html


    And, apparently, this is what somebody thinks a $13K Mini looks like:

    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5659309359.html
     
  10. Stiner0931

    Stiner0931 New Member

    Jul 7, 2016
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    Awesome - thanks for all the leads guys! I really wanted a project, to do a full restoration on, so there's some possibilities in the leads you sent. Have been talking with Jason Pigg too. Unless I'm way off base, $13K for the rough looking, but running one in SF seems ridiculous...
     
  11. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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  12. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    Your quest to find a great classic Mini is certainly well appreciated and understood. Not knowing your intended purpose behind this search, I can only assume that you are looking for a car which holds the greatest level of originality. Many have been modified from original, and that is to be expected with a 40-50 year old car. That said, time spent researching the bits you will need to look for when actually looking at, or asking questions of a seller, are as important as any one thing you can do as a buyer.

    I looked at this car to try and lend a hand at identifying it for you. There are several different date markings on a classic Mini that help in identifying its build date, which helps to identify authenticity. They include the Chassis Code and Chassis Numbers (commonly thought of as VIN here), a date on the wiper motor and a date on the boot latch. The latter two numbers can be found stamped in the housings of each. In researching the Chassis Numbers for this Mini, it shows to be a Morris right hand drive (possibly Cooper S) of the vintage the seller is marketing. However, the badging on the car's exterior is all Austin. Additionally, the interior is not correct for the car, as the dash is not in its original design configuration. Now, if one were to restore the car properly, these badges would be Morris badges, not Austin. Some restoration rookies overlook this important detail, albeit a seemingly simple no-brainer of a detail. What is to be considered, is that this car may be one of many cars which has been rebadged and re-vin'd as something other than is described.

    If you're interested in this car, I would suggest that you go see it and look for the additional ID numbers on the wiper and rear boot latch. These dating numbers should be relatively close in time, give or take a couple of months. Also, you can look at the numbers on each piece of glass to determine the date the glass was made. It's a little tricky to decipher, but it can be done and will aid further proving or disproving authenticity.

    Hope this helps and good look in your search.
     
  13. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    I pm'd him, he's looking for a Mk1 to restore for a client, but he's not trying to keep it perfectly original. Good luck with your search, OP.
     
  14. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    #14 Firebro17, Jul 13, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2016
    Thats cool, thanks for that.
     
  15. Stiner0931

    Stiner0931 New Member

    Jul 7, 2016
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    Thanks guys. Still exploring to find the right chassis. Ideally its a complete restoration effort, rust removal, body, welding and all. The guy I'm doing it for wants to learn as much about it as possible and is willing to have a 2-3 year project in order to do so.
     
  16. BruceK

    BruceK Active Member

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    Well, it's always easier to start with a car that is as complete as possible, that way you at least know all the bits and pieces and where they go - then it is just a matter of figuring out what needs to be redone and what you want to replace.

    Here are some Mk. I Minis you might consider:

    https://chambana.craigslist.org/cto/5676789626.html

    [ame="http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/131873011339?item=131873011339&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466&rmvSB=true"]1963 Austin Cooper Full Roll Cage | eBay[/ame]

    http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/5680978183.html
     
  17. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    It's admirable that you are willing to take on a roach to restore. Not for me though.
     
  18. Stiner0931

    Stiner0931 New Member

    Jul 7, 2016
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    What are you guys searching to find these on Craigslist? I'll keep the hunt going, but might set up an RSS feed to get auto updates on it.

    Thanks Firebro. I've been working on LBCs fora few decades now, mostly race cars, and have always wanted to do a nice clear restoration. The only part I'm not looking forward to is rust removal, but that should be over early on during the project, and then the fun begins!
     
  19. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    I may have a lead on a local car, let me check into it and if so I'll send you his contact info - he had 6 or 7 MK1's in various states and I just found out he's been selling them off - a friend bought an 850 that's actually in decent shape from him.....
     
  20. BruceK

    BruceK Active Member

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    I use Search Tempest and keywords "Austin Mini" and, separately "Morris Mini". I never search for just "Mini Cooper" as too many late model MINIs appear.
     

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