Forgive me, I'm something of a newbie...

I might have access to a mini cooper S mk2 in bits. Circa 1960s. Body is good - no dings and only a light covering of rust. Needs to be sandblasted and painted. Engine might need an overhaul - don't know yet. I'm told all the bits are there but I don't think the compliance plates are, lets assume they aren't...So it might be considered just a "replica" rather than an original mk2 when finished.

Obviously many people restore minis as a labour of love, I get that, but if I were to pay to have it restored - i.e. get it painted and pay someone to assemble it, do you think I will end up with something worth at least as much as what it cost me to have it restored? I don't plan to sell it, but I am curious to know if I had to sell - would I would have much chance of recouping my costs..?

If it is an aussie 69 mk2 car won't have a tag the body number will be stamped on the radiator cowl will be yg2s4 then the number

Only price I have ever heard of being charged for an entire mini resto was over $40k from memory a couple yrs ago.
I have no idea if that was a good price or bad price.

If a genuine mk2 that is legit complete with plates (assume post 69 - if missing will devalue it greatly) done well to original specs (Unless they know minis often things will be incorrect) fully restored at the moment are going around the $40k mark

This hasn't taken into account purchase price of the vehicle yet.

Hope that helps a bit.

In general though minis are not restored to make money on especially paying someone to do it.
Better off buying one already done.

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Its worth restoring if it is a genuine S.

Depending on condition or if you are paying for someone to do the resto you may loose money in the short term but sometimes with minis its not about the money and more about the love.

Glad to hear you are not just thinking of wrecking it to make a quick buck.

Have a look at the introductions to the Mark 1 and Mark 2 Cooper S Registers to get some hints on identification.

viewforum.php?f=43

Also the Classic Register.

https://classicregister.com/guides

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

No not worth it , better give it to me

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1965 Morris 850
1966 Morris Mini Minor
1967 Morris Cooper 'S'
1977 Leyland LS

pick me pick me

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

$40.000 to restore a C.S engine all mechanicals plus body probably needs some new panels my estimate $75.000.You only have to look at the cost of labor if you want a quality job $110. per hour. Also you will have to specify what standard the car is to be restored to, as minis do not have good panel fit. I spent a lot of time getting correct gaps on my CS.

$40K to restore an 'S' engine !!!!

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1965 Morris 850
1966 Morris Mini Minor
1967 Morris Cooper 'S'
1977 Leyland LS

Maybe there should be quotation marks or a full stop in there somewhere.

That would want to be a bloody good engine @ $40k!

Would have been better than Mclaren's Honda engine last year.

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Okay thanks all...am mulling over this now

Hi Northwelshman
If it is a Cooper S it is worth restoring end of story, some of the prices that have been quoted on this forum are just stupid,
a full group N race motor billet crank and rods forged pistons, straight cut drop gears, limited slip diff, dog box, full race head,
race flywheel etc round 25k
To re build a Cooper S engine and box 8 to 10k. I don't know where you live but if you give me a ring I can put you in touch with the right people to have the body done CORRECTLY in any paint you want and you won't have to sell you mother to have it done.
Even if you are in Victoria week end drive up to me drop it off and I can have it picked up. and if you want to see the kind of work this guy does I can show you his end result.
Graham Russell

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"It's better to be not informed than ill-informed"

I agree. No more to say in my view.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43