Hey, i'm new to this forum and i am looking to buy a mini (either club or morry) to restore.

Do you guys have any tips on picking a good car for this?
Looking for rust etc?

Also is it hard to register a mini that is out of rego and needs a bluey to get past? (I hav'nt bought many second hand cars before)
Did the morrys have no chassis number?

Thanks in advance for any info.
Matt

Hi Matt welcome to ausmini.
There are so many things to think about first. Not the least would have to be, how much work do you want to do, and How much do you want to spend.
If you put a location in your profile, People in your state will, I'm sure be able to help you with rereg rules.
But for a good resto project, I would look for the least rust i can find. The rest you will eventualy replace any way
I know morries have a chassis or body number and im prety sure leylands do to.
The early morries dont have a compliance plate though. Well mine hasn't anyway.

Ok so welcome, and enjoy the forum. You will find the wealth of knowlage here amazing, Not generaly from me though.

Ben

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One Lill-Red 1100
A project morris van
One rusty assed delux shell
and a clubby van

Thanks for the reply.

Where are the common areas to look for rust on these cars?

Here is a good starting point

http://www.minimania.com/web/SCatagory/PANELS/DisplayType/Technical%20Information/DisplayID/613/ArticleV.cfm

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Roads need more corners
A Deluxe(CG13DE), 2 Clubbies(998 and 1275) and 2 Morris 1100Ss

I think the shorter answer is a list of spots that dont rust. Anyone know any?

Dead centre of the roof so long as you don't have a sunroof or roof mounted antenna .....
Seriously though , look around the engine bay (firewall particularly) , the sills , lower edges of the front apron , anywhere two panels meet with a seam , the A panel's and behind the hinges , the floor , round the windscreens , bottoms of doors , boot floor , battery box floor ..... Just have a good look around the whole car , mini's did seem to trap moisture in areas around the A panels and tops of the front mudguards . If you are unsure get someone who know's mini's to go with you , if you put your location on your profile people will most likely offer to give you a hand if they're near by .

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I think the best piece of advice i could give is to buy something thats already been done up!!!! I should have listened to my dad when he told me that.... Resto's have a very easy tendency to get way outta hand, time wise and $$$ wise!!!!

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

hanra u r so right it dont take much to get out of hand and if u stuff something up well there is more time and money but hey its good fun

Good fun..... maybe for a little while my 2nd rebuild took 4 years, 2 years spent sitting in 2 different panel beaters!!!! In the end, ive got receipts for around $46k....

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

Thanks again for all the replys.

As far as i'm concerned, restoring it myself is the only way to go. I want to get the body upto scratch most importantly then worry bout making it more fuel efficient to try and counter the god damn expensive sydney petrol prices! Grrr.

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Fastest wagon in the west!

Let me know how it goes in a few years time, yes believe me there is that self satisfaction you get from doing it how u want it...... But the time and the money and the stuffing around and the headaches and long nites slaving away in the shed.... Just arnt worth it, buy one done up!!!!

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

how the hell do you spend $46k

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Roundies and Clubbies(except vans) are both ugly that is why I have Midas and a van
1293 Mini Midas Bronze,1275 Clubman van

Hands up if you think feralsprint sounds like your wife / partner?!!

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One should never skimp on the zip ties.

By rebuilding the car from the ground up twice, Dosnt take much at all,

1st Paint Job: $2000
2nd Paint Job: $4000 (Ended in a court case and a loss of $4000)
3rd Paint Job: $8000
Seats/frames: $1500
Wheels/tyres: $1500
Enginge/gearbox: $6000
Stereo: $5000
Powdercoating: $2000
Suspension/brakes: $2000
Chrome work: $2000
Interior: $2000

Thats $36000 and that basically covers this rebuild now. I spent a bit of money on the car on the first rebuild but that was back in 97...

And...... No my gorgeous girlfriend isnt feralsprint........

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

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Too many cars, and too little time.