ausmini :: View topic - Australia's oldest mini with photos

Use a lowercase {img}...

Just a thought.....If it was near enough to being entirely original, would it be worth it to leave it as it is and just tidy it up, do something to prevent the rust from advancing? It could could be a valuable resource to determine originality.

Did it arrive as a knock down kit?

Is this car going to be saved from rusting anymore? Or will it be left as is until it goes back to nature?

I don't think it is the original engine. The rocker cover, head, distributor and clutch housing are all off a later Aussie car as is the carby, radiator, radiator shroud and wiper motor.The fuel pump is incorrect and in the wrong place. The master cylinders are correct though.

MG Rocket wrote:

I'm just wondering, What would you loose by restoring it properly

He said it's one of the demo cars that was shipped over to aus.
I believe he said it's Dec 59.

Author:	cometcosmo2003 [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:21 am ]
Post subject:	Australia's oldest mini with photos
Hi there, For those who can't make it to Zetland here are some photos of an Austin Seven from 1959 that will be on display. The old girl has had a hard life. Floors need replacing and doors need some attention but above floor she is in good nick. Unfortunately she spent her last years as a farm hack and has suffered from that. Despite sitting for 17 years, once the points and plugs were cleaned and a bit of fuel in the bowl she started and runs. I will post more on her actual journey, from dispatch to today after the Zetland display. Try and make it to Zetland as i know there will be some very impressive and significant minis on display. Cheers

Author:	VulcanBB18 [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:31 am ]
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Use a lowercase {img}... EDIT: Hi, I removed the pics from your post just to eliminate a second full set, Thanks for doing that though, Cheers Steve

Author:	Panthersteve [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:38 am ]
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VulcanBB18 wrote: Use a lowercase {img}... It wasn't a "case" problem, "Disable BBCode in this post" was checked

Author:	Hanra [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:10 am ]
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Is this car going to be saved from rusting anymore? Or will it be left as is until it goes back to nature?

Author:	cometcosmo2003 [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:16 am ]
Post subject:	Australia's oldest mini with photos
Hi there, This car will be returned to it's former glory. Cheers.

ausmini https://www.ausmini.com/forums/

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Author:	Timbo [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:17 am ]
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Fabulous, it looks to be fairly unmolested, but there are a few later parts I can spot. It would be fantastic to see it put back on the road. Tim

Author:	graham in aus [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:31 am ]
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Nice thing.... Do you have the original engine?

Author:	MG Rocket [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 10:15 am ]
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Just a thought.....If it was near enough to being entirely original, would it be worth it to leave it as it is and just tidy it up, do something to prevent the rust from advancing? It could could be a valuable resource to determine originality. Did it arrive as a knock down kit?

Author:	simon k [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:12 pm ]
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wow - can see quite a few differences just from those pictures... MG Rocket wrote: Just a thought.....If it was near enough to being entirely original, would it be worth it to leave it as it is and just tidy it up, do something to prevent the rust from advancing? It could could be a valuable resource to determine originality. ditto - would be nice to clean it up as is Quote: Did it arrive as a knock down kit? don't think so - too early for that as CKD started in '60 - would have been a private import or one of the BMC test cars. Particularly with the FE number and Austin badge

Author:	adamstuart [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:07 pm ]
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I spoke to ivan yesterday (my mini is being pulled apart in the background of the last photo). He said it's one of the demo cars that was shipped over to aus. I believe he said it's Dec 59. As far as i know it's also the original engine, which started with only a few minor issues. Some less obvious differences people might not be aware of: Riveted wheel centers instead of welded Floor and the sill are one part, which resulted in water getting trapped inside the car, instead of being pushed out The speedo surround is like paper mache, instead of plastic Hanra wrote: Is this car going to be saved from rusting anymore? Or will it be left as is until it goes back to nature? The rust really isnt that bad. The worst part is the boot and I've seen far FAR worse cars that are 15 odd years younger. Apart from the boot, only the floor needs a little attention. The car is in incredibly safe hands, don't worry Hanra. You guys really have to see it to appreciate it, it just oozes character

Author:	Timbo [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:47 pm ]
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I don't think it is the original engine. The rocker cover, head, distributor and clutch housing are all off a later Aussie car as is the carby, radiator, radiator shroud and wiper motor.The fuel pump is incorrect and in the wrong place. The master cylinders are correct though.

Author:	MrFail [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 4:25 pm ]
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MG Rocket wrote: Just a thought.....If it was near enough to being entirely original, would it be worth it to leave it as it is and just tidy it up, do something to prevent the rust from advancing? It could could be a valuable resource to determine originality. I'm just wondering, What would you loose by restoring it properly

Author:	GT mowog [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 4:53 pm ]
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Timbo wrote: I don't think it is the original engine. The rocker cover, head, distributor and clutch housing are all off a later Aussie car as is the carby, radiator, radiator shroud and wiper motor.The fuel pump is incorrect and in the wrong place. The master cylinders are correct though. +1. It look very much like an Ozzy Deluxe (998) engine.

Author:	MG Rocket [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:00 pm ]
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MrFail wrote: MG Rocket wrote: Just a thought.....If it was near enough to being entirely original, would it be worth it to leave it as it is and just tidy it up, do something to prevent the rust from advancing? It could could be a valuable resource to determine originality. I'm just wondering, What would you loose by restoring it properly Quite likely nothing in the right hands.....but you're missing the point. What is probably the oldest surviving car and IF it's largely unmolested, it has considerable value unrestored as a reference vehicle and sometimes gains little money value once restored, again depending on the starting condition. The vehicle is in good hands and he will do as he sees fit and I will enjoy it as much either way. Edit >> The posts immediately above pretty well say, "Restore it"

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Author:	watto [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:23 pm ]
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Quote: He said it's one of the demo cars that was shipped over to aus. I believe he said it's Dec 59. That's not actually correct. Ivan gave me the numbers a few years ago and I did a check with Heritage in the UK (when I had a friendly contact there) and apparently the car was sold new to Nuffield Exports, and went to Norfolk Island. How and when it came to Australia is a mystery. I have spoke to Ivan about this. The demo cars that came to Australia were all but in early 1960 (Feb or March from memory), not 1959. However, as far as we can tell, this is the oldest known Mini in Australia - though not the first to come here. It will be great to see it on display. Ivan has another jewel that he will bring to Wakefield Park, but not sure if it will be at Zetland. Cheers, Watto.