I have a problem. I have found a brand new mini van shell that has never had anything bolted to it and is still in the production primer. I have also found a clubman with a 1330, 4 speed all synch close ratio box, cam, head, spax, hi-lo's, clubman GT dash (as rare as rocking horse thingo) and all in all the car is in great condition except it has some minor rust in it. My idea was to buy both and use the clubman as a donor car to build the van. All the unique parts like rear doors, fuel tank & filler, rear lower panel etc are there with the van so the actual building won't be a problem. What worries me is the cost versus what it would be worth at the finish. What would be the value of a shmick van with all the right gear in it painted in acrylic...( I hate metallics) and I can paint acrylic myself. I don't mind if it costs me a bit more than market value but I do not want the costs to blow out to far. Been there, done that before. What I am basically trying to work out is it going to be worth it? Iook forward to your comments.

Man I aplaud you for wanting to do a van, there arent too many done up and is definitely a bit different. Having said that they are not in demand either, and the resale price often reflects this. Is the rust too hard to fix on the clubby? since it is all together may be worth keeping it that way. Just my opinion, others may disagree.

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1970 Cooper S ex-Bathurst & ATCC
1964 Austin Cooper S ex-Group C race car
1967 Morris Cooper S ex-Group B
1962 Mini Speed sports sedan
1968-71 ex-Peter Manton Shell car

if you do all the work yourself it should cost you SFA

you already have everything.. theres always hidden costs

there are acrylic metalics and pearls you know

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Expert in training

The van has certain advantages. My son is getting his license shortly and he is into karting. he can put a traler on the back of it and throw all his racing gear in it and go karting on his own. A sedan won't have enough room for that. he is also into model gliders and these tend to get pretty big and they won't fit in a car either. I was going to buy him an S originally but can't get it insured with him as a driver due to his age. Shannons wont insure anyone under 20 for anything except bomb insurance. The reason I orriginally thought of buying an S was I am sick of buying cars that depreciate and I know a bit about them from years ago. I used to sell spare parts for them when they were new so that tells you how long Ihave been around on this planet. We rallied and raced them fairly extensively in those days.

I have a Van and Doing it also....Love it.

But I think if you have an original GT a few rust Hole...no Biggy fix the GT up and give you'r son a project car for when he does get his licence
You can both work on the cars at the same time Us our mates up north are doing....Hi Dani and Dani's Dad & Mum

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

Dunno about other states, but in Vic vans command a $1000 or more premium over and equivalent spec sedan. They are quite sort after. Probably $6K upwards for a very tidy roundnose with no rust, a 1275 and disk brakes. I know of one van that that sold for $8K and it was an immaculate almost stock Mini K! That one went to Japan.

If the Clubby is not a real GT, I say go for it!

OT: I know of at least two other vans that went to Japan also. (Oh no, they're coming to steal our Minis!)

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

yeah depends on whether the GT is genuine or not......fix the GT if it is, do the van if it's not

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play 3d car games for free

I'm A Dope its not a GT only the Dash..Do the VAN..Yer another Van Project

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

The van with the right bits in it will be worth more than a sedan by a long shot. I bought my van for 4k with a 1275 and discs, have had it painted and added new wheels, not much else and it's current alue is up around 10k mark, i even had a guy offer me 12k for it. they are getting alot harder to find, especially the round nose vans. do the van and keep the left overs, you never know you may be able to build up a cheapy clubby you can drive around in or flog off to offset your spend on the van.

Cheers

Aaron

The expenses go something like this to build the van
1. Rego & Stamp duty...$1000.00
2. Interior $500.00
3. Tyres $500.00
4. Paint $600.00
5. Windscreen seals $200.00
6. Rebuild brakes $500.00
7. Exhaust $300.00
8. Rebuild head for ULP $500.00
9. Suspension bushes $100.00
10. Rings & Bearings $500.00
11. Items not allowed for$1000.00
12. Alternator 100amp $200.00
13. Recond radiator $300.00

All the above are most probably a bit on the high side but then other things will be found that weren't foreseen. The guy wants $6000 for the clubby and $3000 for the van shell. If I got out of building it for under $15,000 I would be happy. I know of one van that sold for $15,000 but that may be an exception. This guy also has some 1275 motors and other good gear. I am tempted to buy the lot and flog the excess. What is the market like for 1275 motors these days? For a project that at first glance would appear to be cheap the costs soon add up and this is the bit that worries me. If it finished up getting towards $2000.00 then i would start getting very unhappy.Can anyone see any major expense I have missed?

i can see that $3000 for a van shell is very exxy
but yes, you mention it is just like how it came out of the primer spray booth factory

and $6000 for a clubby (not spec gt or ls) is quite costly
but you mention the 1330 and all the other quick bits
so im on a maybe about the clubman

Doogie wanted to sell his 1380 (?) beast
said the motor was worth $8000 (?)
not too sure of things these days, im getting old

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Inconspicuously Conspicuous
Appreciation without Depreciation
forever chasing clearer skies...

$3000 for a brand new shell that has never had a part bolted to it is a very cheap price consider this in the youkay a new heritage shell will cost over 3000 uk pound do the sum's kiddies and try and find a never used b4 clubby van ........ next thing has it got tags and bodie number other wise you will need a wreck for the numbers then on top of that if it has tags what year is it 75 on or 76 on you have to comply to the emmision adr's blah blah blah
if i had 9 grand laying round i would say to you cjp hell if ya dont wannit tell me were it is i'll buy it but as it is if i even think about another mini i will have my goolies removed with a blunt rusty cutting implement
if he has a heap of stuff just say how much as a job lot then negotiat
makka

btw dooke it is a 1426 stroker motor lotta diference

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Anonymous moderation means the agro that is built up towards the mods isn't aimed at an individual (fewer "Makk" attacks). Less stress for mods means less moderator "retirements".

yes makka does have a point
if round nose van then better

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Inconspicuously Conspicuous
Appreciation without Depreciation
forever chasing clearer skies...

No it has not got any numbers, it never got that far down the production line. I have checked with the RTA and they will supply all numbers and plates necessary to register it. I told them the car has never existed and they had no problems with it. I guess it happens all the time with resto's, hot rods etc.I don't think I will ever know what year it was made. I have just about made up my mind to do it so I guess the next six months is buggered. No more racing etc. anyone got a towbar for a van?