So I'm considering restoring my 850. Since I have a new pre molested shell for my go fast mini.
I have some of the rarer parts like sliding window doors and boot lid (possibly rover though?) 850 speedo etc.

What I dont have is matching numbers and plenty of other bits like most of the interior.
Is it worth restoring it knowing it will never be completely original. I dont have the funds to track down every tiny piece in NOS.

On the other hand not being completely original excuses me to do some period mods: twin carbs, twin leading shoes. But when does that stop? Bigger engine, disk brakes?

So what are some thoughts on this, is it worth it, or am I better of just looking out for a matching number car for that sort of thing.

Finally, I have what I assume is an early boot lid, but its missing badge holes, and the three tapped holes where the swing down number plate thing goes. Am I right in assuming this is a later rover boot lid or what?

regarding the 850, if it's not matching numbers, do what you want with it



an 850 boot lid looks the same as a normal aussie boot lid, but the number plate recess is wider.

like this:



on a rover bootlid, the recess has no bottom edge, it blends in at the bottom

Do something along the lines of a sports 850 replica - 850 engine and magic wand, but fit a few goodies like twin carbs and disc brakes

I think 850s lose a lot of their charisma when you take away the early features - magic wand, starter button, sliding window doors etc...

Or you could modify it and sell the sliding window doors to me

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

I have a VERY rusty 850 mini here and it still has original engine and all that. I have no plans for it but perhaps 1, strip bits off it and dump it. ! I will have a look if it still has a Plate too.

_________________
DID I MENTION THAT I AM THE BEST SUPPLIER FOR MINI ELECTRICAL PARTS AND REPAIRS?
"Let us remove your "SHORTS"

My boot doest have the fold down flap or anywhere to mount it?

When did twin leading shoes come in?

yeah, but does it have the recess all the way around?



when you put your foot on the brake! (boom tish)

I think the twin leading shoe brakes came in with the Mini Deluxe in 1965.

My 50c...
Do it how you want. Modify it to whatever will make you happy. Personally i wouldn't do too many Irreversible body mods. But having said that, there's not all that much that you couldn't reverse with a bit of work. So i say, GO NUTS!!!

_________________
Tim
Dusk Blue
1964 850

Matching numbers??? Who knows which numbers match? (Oz records are NLA:)

You won't win Pebble Beach - although I have a friend who was floored to receive best in Show at Gunston Hall ( a major East cost meet) with his S - so why worry about originality.

Back in the day we modded to the exent of our pockets.... when your girlfriends HB Torana seemed like a sportscar... (without the handling of course:)

So, unless its a true timewarp example, keep the signature items (magic wand, floor starter, silver speedo, ???) while adding a 998, disc brakes, a few extra instruments (period mounts were VERY simple) adn then go and enjoy.

Cheers, Ian

I know.

plus the small detail of the engine number being on the body tag.

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

It helps!

But do we care???

NBL

Cheers, Ian

pm sent