My mum had a Mini Matic back in 1968, I saw it advertised in the trading post about 2 years ago, I recognised the rego number, I was tempted to buy it back but was a bit low on funds at the time. I rang the lady selling it and told her I had the original paper work on the car and to let the new owner know but never heard back from her. Was the same as the one we are discussing here White with Red interior.
What are the autos like to rebuild are the regular Mini specialists expert enough in the autos to repair them?

Most Mini experts hate the autos.
Only because they have never bothered to learn how to fix them. They are a very simple and easy gearbox to work on.

If I had the room I would buy that one today.

[quote="Morris 1100"]Most Mini experts hate the autos.
Only because they have never bothered to learn how to fix them. They are a very simple and easy gearbox to work on. quote]

When I was thinking about buying back Mums old one a few years back
I asked a few Mini workshops about the automatic trans and most had pretty negative views on the autos, the lack of funds and the feeling there may have been problems getting any potential problems fixed turned me off pursuing it. I got the vibe they didn't like working on them.

What a nice example.

Jizz!

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Pete...
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1968 Deluxe 1275
1969 Deluxe 'Scruby' 998 Looking for a roof skin...

I have had two mini autos now and really, they aren't that bad. Our first auto ran like a dream and still does as I believe, all it needed was regular oil changes. The second one needed a new forward clutch, the total rebuild cost $168.00 delivered to my door from JPAT in the UK, and then an "older" gentleman who was an automatic specialist way back when rebuilt it for me for a couple of hundred bucks. So probably cheaper than a manual to rebuild properly if you consider clutch etc... Its not so bad and most people "claim" they are gutless slushboxes. They obviously haven't driven a well maintained matic.. just my 2c

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88 Rover 1.3i "Reggie"
99 Rover 1.3i “Grover”
12 Mini Cooper S "The shitter"
17 Mini Clubman JCW “Noddy”

Greig Malure rebuilt my Rover's gearbox and has done all the fix it jobs on this car and she runs like a dream. She doesnt do major Kms but gets regular oil changes and (now) doesnt skip a beat.

I think with autos its all about marrying someone who doesnt thrash the living daylights out of an auto with a good mechanic........

droool!

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Since we are talking about matics I thought I would dig out some old shots of the Matics we had when I was growing up.

Dad had bought one then another as his daily cheap transport to work every day from one side of sydney to the other. I inherited the first to get to college when he bought the second (and eventually pestered him into us changing mine to manual.)

As Morris1100 mentioned they are not really that difficult to work on. Armed with Common sense, the Black Book and no prior automatic gearbox experience Dad reconditioned and maintained them despite his two teenage sons doing their best to thrash the life out of them.

Our favourite trick with the Mini-Matic was to put the handbrake on nice and tight and rock the shifter between 1st to reverse. Because of the Hydro the rear of the car would jump up and down about 6 inches. Always good for a laugh at the lights.

Some old pics....




Old for new matic transplant.



Reconditioned matic unit...

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68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

I still have the receipts from when my Mum bought quite a few new Minis back in the 60's, looking at the receipts she paid the following in 1968.

A brand new Mini Deluxe cost her $1771.22 that was bought in early 1968.

She bought a Mini Matic later in 1968, that cost $2003.77.

So the Mini Matic was quite a bit dearer.

From Wheels in October 68...

Moke $1295
Mini Minor $1669
Deluxe $1740
Matic $1976
Cooper S $2365
(all these would be plus dealer costs)

So anyone bought it yet?

cheers
michael

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

My dad bought his mini-matic on the same day I got my 'S" and from the same dealer. It was Sugar Cane with red interior. He sold it a year later with only 1000 miles on it. I wonder where it is now.

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" I'll show you mine if you show me your's"