Hi All

Again looking at getting back inot the mini scene but good mini's are hard to come by over here in Perth. I have found what I believe to be a 67 mini-matic. Havent looked at it yet but your thoughts on what I should be looking out for would be appreicated - iI have only owned 2 clubmans previously. It is apparently in very good original condition - but wont start as he took the carby off and hasnt put it back on for a few years! The carby is still off so thinking I'll need an engine re-con and I might convert to manual - should I do this and is it expensive? I plan to make some phone calls to the mini place today.

· Red original interior and white exterior
· Original BMC mud flaps and Morris hub caps
· 1960’s venetian blind in the back window
· Original service books and service stamps from the 60’s
· Auto with 998cc original engine
· Only 93000 genuine miles
· No rust

What do people think for the $3k mark. Probably need another $3k spent but would I be better with a good starter like this that is still registered etc rather than paying $6k for something molestered. I like original mini's so I wont want to mod it.

Cheers All, Aaron

I would get it going first, my 70 matic stood in a garden for 9 years before I rescued it.
It also had no carby etc on it, but after coaxing into life it ran fine and used no oil.
The automatic needed new plates in the forward clutch, that was all.
I drove it for years (in a Clubby ) then sold it, AFAIK it's still going.

It's not worth converting a 998 automatic block to fit a manual box, the oilways are different.
It is far easier to grab a complete 998 or 1098 or 1275 motor and box from another Mini and drop that in.
Note the auto subframe is wider, but a manual box will fit it if you put 3/8" thick spacers under the mounts.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Mini.Matics were released in January 1968 . If its a genuine Mini.Matic , I would not convert it to a manual , as they are getting very scarce now . $3k sounds like a good price for a Mini.Matic .

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

Thanks Doc

I was thinking of that too - bring it home and try to resuce it myself. If it runs like a dog just hire that car trailer again and get it fixed! I really would prefer a manual but going on the above posts - I would be stupid to change it!

If you need parts for the autobox, they are available from here- http://www.jpat.co.uk/

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Theres a Matic down the street from me thats been for sale for about 6mths. I think the price started off at around 12k... Its now down to about 9k.. Ive been meaning to get post some pics up of it. Sick of it sitting on the footpath for sale. Someone should give it a home.

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

No one wants to buy it Hanra eh!

Maybe the mini-matic isnt such a good long term investment

Matics are getting more and more valuable as a younger generation that is used to driving modern Automatics become interested in classic Minis. If a Matic is looked after properly they are as reliable as a manual Mini. A lot of Matics have been converted to manual, mainly because mechanics couldn't be bothered trying to understand the auto when it went wrong. Hence Matics are pretty rare now.

Cheers,

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

There were not many made- mine (Mk2) built in 3/1970 is only body #1385.
Nobody seems to know when the last one was built, anyone seen one with clubby style doors?

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Dunno, its been done up recently and looks pretty neat. No one up here is really into mini's i think, except for a handful of us. I would really like it to see a home, ill get some pics and details of it this weekend.

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

All being well i think i will definetly get this one and try getting it started myself first. Im not a total stranger to minis and mechanics but by no means advanced. Any other advice or things to look for would be appreciated

If I get it I will post pics etc

Buggar

Just made some enquiries with mechanical places etc (yes mini ones) and i was recommended against it. Changing the engine is a big $$ job and the automatic stick is just useless. Must say Im feeling a bit disappointed!

Sludge-o-matics was one reference

I guess that is fair enough - I cant see that gearbox being overly effective. It was its originalness that lured me but!

They do go well with a 1275 on top. Gearbox is the same as a Morris 1100S auto.
I just happen to have a 1275 auto block here, still std bore...

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Sorry, but that's just typical of the bullshit offered by Mini mechanics who do not want to work on the Autos.

The auto works well when looked after and it's a very advanced box for it's time. It's four speed and saps less power than you would expect. But yes, you do lose a bit of performance over a manual 998. As the Doc says, a 1275 on an Auto works quite well. I'm running a 1275 Auto in my Moke and I'm very happy with it.

Yes, Doc, I've seen a Matic with Clubby Doors. But I'm not 100% sure it was a Matic from birth, it may have been swapped later.

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

Mechanics will tell you a lot of bullshit about Mini.Matics , even some so called "mini mechanics" , mostly because they don't understand them . They do go quite well , even with the 998 motor . But if its performance you are after , find yourself a 1275 manual , or install one in a deluxe or something more common ........

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