Hi all,

I'm thinking of starting a project and buying a cheap Mini that needs restoring.

So I'm wondering if anyone could tell me and I assume someone here would of restored it them self an idea on how much they spent here and there just so I have an idea on how much it will cost me.


Also are there any sites I should look at to find a body or parts etc?

I've looked at CarSales but everything on there is turn key drive away
eBay and Gumtree seems to bring up a few but nothing either nearby or seems expensive

It's a million dollar question! It all depends how bad it is to start with and what level of restoration you wish to achieve? Are you looking at a hot up custom job or keeping it original? A home done paint job can be done for under a grand yet a top notch professional full strip back and re-spray can easily push you over the ten grand mark! It also depends how much you can do yourself etc etc. Way too many variables to give you a straight answer!

Where abouts are you located. There are literally dozens of projects out there up for grabs. Just from the past few weeks we have seen all price ranges and types up for sale for example, from Coopers to vans to Clubman, Deluxe, and Mokes. You will find a project.

Drop a Wanted ad in and see what people have to offer.

Million dollar question indeed! Costs depend on your background and what you are prepared to do at home yourself. Build your own motor and gearbox or have someone else do it, prep your own body for paint, etc etc. Prices to restore a car starts at the bare minimum for roadworthy up to 30k and beyond for a concourse restoration resplendent with ground mirrors for the car shows.

If you were to have someone else prepare your engine, well that is around 5k. However, a complete set of parts and machining for a complete engine and carb rebuiild might be costed around 1100. Paint starts at about 5k as well, and you go from there.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Just need to keep looking on all the usual car sites for sale ads, and of course on Ausmini.
The right project will pop up that is within your skill level and how much your prepared do, you just have to be patient.

Being your first post, not sure how familiar you are with minis, but if you see one that catches your eye, ask nicely and someone with some experience may be able to check it out with you.

Cheers Shane

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If it's not a Cooper S, the mini was designed to be modified!

Go for it. Just don't do it with the idea of making money when it's done. If you DIY everything you can do it for a reasonable outlay but start paying people to do things like body repairs, paint and engine work and you could have a 40k bill for a 10k car depending on what it needs

I semi restored a clubby a couple of years ago, interior and engine were ok the body was shagged but I did all the work myself as I do it for a living and barely broke even when I sold it

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Potato

Biggest thing is know your limit of abilities.
I'm happy to strip my car down and put it back together but i know the results i want out of it so I'm handing over the body and paint to others. Currently has little rust so only 3 panels need to be ordered but its all labor (body guy currently has a fastback mustang he's getting ready for paint, in primer this thing is like glass) and outer Costs for that its sitting between 7-10grand, i give them a stripped shell and i get back a painted show body.
Next is how much of a "project car" is purchased and whats missing, costs of missing or damaged parts can accelerate quickly.
For me spending the money on it is worth every cent as i have waited 20 years to get a clubby

Hi tieeNN89, welcome to the world of Minis.

I see that you are based in Brisbane and, given that you appear to have such a wide range of enquiries, why don't you come along to the Mini Muster this weekend at Carina (refer topic on this site). There are sure to be 100 plus Minis on display and, more importantly, a walking encyclopaedia of information on these great little cars that you can readily tap in to. I'm sure that you will find that Mini owners are all too willing to guide you in the right direction - you just need to ask.

Please feel free to introduce yourself to me (I'll be around the BRG Mini Speed) and will be pleased to introduce you to some guys who really know what's what with Minis. They will be only too happy to share their knowledge with you.

Hope to see you there.

Cheers
Richard

If you want to drive a mini soon, spend the money and get a road going one.

If you want cheap then be ready to spend lots of effort getting it.

Buy several "projects", sell off the second best of everything and learn the skills you dont have to complete the car.

The only Cheap Mini I ever owned was a project car that came with a garage of spares. Cost me a month to get RWC and 2 years to sell of all the other stuff. The guy who sold it to me complained no one wanted the "Stuff" so he had to sell the lot cheap. Only time I have ever heard "cheap" and "mini" together.

Hi all,
Sorry for the late reply, I've been a bit busy with other things.

Yes after posting I thought it would be a million dollar question that can't really be answered.

I'm located in Brisbane.

I did go to the Mini Muster but I didn't make it there till a tad before 2pm so most were gone I would suspect.

What I want is to pick up something cheap and then start learning from there, so the plan is to try and do everything myself which hopefully will keep the cost down. But at the same time I don't want to buy something that is going to require a lot of work repairing the body because I know for a fact I'm going to get over it and shelf the project.

How much do I know of Minis? let's just say barely LOL

What do I plan on doing? Well the plan is to keep most of it original but change a few things here and there.

What I want is a round nose Mini so from my research it is anything up to 1969
I'm not sure what they are actually worth which makes it hard to tell if I'm paying too much or I'm getting a bargain.

If you find a round nose that's registered, runs and with little rust for $5000 or less buy it!

Round noses were made up until 1971.

I bought a 64 850 with a really good body and an 1100S (1275) engine unregistered for $5500 on eBay.
I've probably spent 1500 on bits and pieces including changing the 8.4" discs to 7 1/2" and 12 months of tinkering.
Got it registered on Monday and am thrilled to bits )

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Find a job you love and you will never have to go to work !

Bought my rough as guts "64 roundnose van registered and running for $3500 on Gumtree.
Thought I'd do a "cheap" resto but got carried away buying all new parts instead of recycling the old ones.
Even though I did everything myself, i'm into it for ~$17K so far and it's still not finished.
I certainly don't regret spending the money and have enjoyed every moment of it.
It also taught me a lot about painting, panel beating, welding, mechanical, electrical etc. and is a lot cheaper than a gambling addiction
Lucky I don't intend on ever selling it as I doubt I'd recoup my money!!

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Your imagination is only limited by the size of your wallet
"61 850 original and crusty (Mavis)
"64 Smooth Roof Van (Colin)
"67 Deluxe resto project (Monty)

You forgot to mention: Patience, pain, frustration.. hehe

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You can't drive your shares on the weekend...

Dont go into a diy restoration thinking that it'll be the cheaper way.
I could have saved alot of money by buying something in alot better condition.
Even though my bare metal 2pak paint job only cost me around $1500 (the cast of the materials), mine still probably owes me around 10k plus the cost of the car in first place. .. And the bloody thing still isnt finished . Haha.

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Tim
Dusk Blue
1964 850

And re-made as Rovers until 2000.

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1998 Rover Mk VII
2001 Honda CBR 929RR (street)
2014 BMW S1000RR (track)