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Forgotten Mini
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Author:  matt850 [ Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Forgotten Mini
In the course of my working day I quite regularly find myself in the middle of our beautiful Red Outback.
Today is one of those days. I have just taken a walk down the street of a town which will remain nameless for the moment. Walked past the local mechanics workshop and caught sight of a couple of old pickups in the back. Asked if I might take a look and was welcomed in in true bush style...cup of tea? etc etc. No beer as I have to start work shortly.
Imagine my surprise when right up the back of the workshop was a little red clubbie, or so i thought.
I asked about the mini and the mechanic told me that it had been in his workshop since they had fitted a new clutch to it and hadn't heard from the owner since. That was in 1987....yes 1987. This little beautie has been sitting in the back corner of a garage for nearly 20 years gathering dust.
Upon further investigation it turns out to have a round nose with the rover grille. On the inside it has a single binnacle with the steering column and blinker stalk of an 850. Rubber suspension, power ass' disc breaks.... think it might be an import.
I will be back here again next week with my digital camera and possibly the following week with my cheque book.

The things you find when your not really looking.
Stay tuned. :D
Author:  harvey69 [ Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
good find !!!!!

i know what u mean about finding stuff when ur not looking.....
Author:  mad-mk1 [ Fri Nov 10, 2006 1:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
cant wait to see pictures bro
Author:  minimalist_1 [ Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yep its great when you come accross finds like that. I found my TR4a the same way, and that too was quite a unique find in australia. Snap it up!!
Author:  gafmo [ Fri Nov 10, 2006 10:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
very interesting for youself and now us
Interesting time for you :wink:
Author:  Mike [ Sat Nov 11, 2006 1:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Forgotten Mini
matt850 wrote:
I will be back here again next week with my digital camera and possibly the following week with my cheque book.



and hopefuly a trailer - those brake lines and MC's etc cant be too good after 20 years.
Author:  matt850 [ Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
was back in the far north west today. offered the bloke $500.00 as it would cost $600.00 - $700.00 to have it trucked down to sydney. he appeared to be a man of few words but i will check him out again next week to see what he says.
I have decided trhat i would probaly on sell the vehicle if i could get it for that sort of money or sell it as parts.
If he doesnt lijke my offer is there anyone on here who would like to contact him about this mini. I wiould be happy to get details etc etc.
Author:  bnicho [ Fri Nov 17, 2006 6:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
Check it's not stolen before you hand over the cash! :shock:

Does it have external hinges?
Author:  sports850 [ Fri Nov 17, 2006 6:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
Check with consumer affairs and I'm not sure who else but make sure he hass the rights to sell a customers car like that , I think they can legally sell it but it normally has to go through an auction . Get some decent legal advice first incase someone has the RTA or police watching for it in case it was written into someones will . Don't laugh , it's happened before .
Author:  cooper63 [ Fri Nov 17, 2006 6:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have a simular "find" story. I was at a blokes place for a bbq one day and over the fence spotted a mini with a white roof. I asked my mate what the story was, and he said this jigger had been sitting there for a while but was nothing special, only a cooper not a cooper s. I high tailed it to the neighbours place and made enquiries, took engine and body numbers, checked them out and discovered it was a genuine 997. I asked if it was for sale, how much and the next weekend went with my trailer and got the thing for $150. Its got a bit of rust and is missing the corect block, but otherwise complete and correct. You never know what is out there.
Author:  matt850 [ Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:27 am ]
Post subject: 
I have spoken with the mechanic again. He was looking for around $1500.00 for the mini. I would be pulling it apart for bits which is probably a crime so here it is. If anyone is seriously interested drop me a line and I will pass on the details of the mechanic in Bourke. I dont think I should put them out here in a public forum.
They tell me that there is a truck which makes regular runs down to Sydney and it would fit on quite easily.
I will endeavour to remember to take my digital camera next time and take photos. I honestly think it could be bought for around a $1000.00.
Author:  Mike_Byron [ Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:04 am ]
Post subject: 
I had expressed interest but $1500 is a bit rich for me for a car that has stood that long.
I know he could be talked down some.

I am lucky because minis do come up from time to time for me in "shed" finds but this one is still a good buy for someone who has the money to invest.
Author:  Oscar [ Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:50 am ]
Post subject: 
Yeah sheds house some amazing stuff. I work interstate from time-to-time and met a bloke from Adelaide a couple of years ago. Turns out he's got a '67 Cooper S with only 37,000 miles on the clock!!! I went to his place last year and there it was under an old blanket in one of his sheds. He bought it when it was only 1year old from a guy who hillclimbed it in SA. He rebuilt the engine, repainted it and only drove it for a short time after that. It needs a tidy-up outside but is rust free! The interior is perfect other than being dirty. We put air in the tyres, whacked some fuel in it and I had a play around with it for a while and managed to coax it back to life. We drove it around his property for a bit and then back it went into the shed under the blanket................

Yes of course I asked and no it's not for sale!!!!
Author:  Betty [ Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:25 am ]
Post subject: 
wow
thats interesting stuff..

you need need to use your digital camera though :)
would LOVE to se pics! :wink:
Author:  Oscar [ Tue Dec 05, 2006 5:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
Betty wrote:
you need need to use your digital camera though :)
would LOVE to se pics! :wink:

Didn't have my camera with me unfortunately. Dunno when I'll catch up with him again either.
Maybe I should take a trip over and be more persuasive! It's such a waste.......
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