Hi there,

For those who can't make it to Zetland here are some photos of an Austin Seven from 1959 that will be on display.
The old girl has had a hard life. Floors need replacing and doors need some attention but above floor she is in good nick.
Unfortunately she spent her last years as a farm hack and has suffered from that.
Despite sitting for 17 years, once the points and plugs were cleaned and a bit of fuel in the bowl she started and runs.
I will post more on her actual journey, from dispatch to today after the Zetland display.
Try and make it to Zetland as i know there will be some very impressive and significant minis on display.

Cheers

Use a lowercase {img}...

EDIT: Hi, I removed the pics from your post just to eliminate a second full set, Thanks for doing that though, Cheers Steve

_________________
'72 Clubman Van - 1022cc, 295 head, 731 cam - Daily Driver
'69 Morris 1100 S - Dinged by a bus, in shed under repair
'64 Morris 1100 - Early 1100, long term project

It wasn't a "case" problem, "Disable BBCode in this post" was checked

_________________
1964 998cc Cooper
1971 Mini K x 2
1972 Clubman GT

Is this car going to be saved from rusting anymore? Or will it be left as is until it goes back to nature?

_________________

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

Hi there,

This car will be returned to it's former glory.

Cheers.

Fabulous, it looks to be fairly unmolested, but there are a few later parts I can spot. It would be fantastic to see it put back on the road.

Tim

_________________
1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian

Nice thing.... Do you have the original engine?

_________________
Sir Alec! we are not worthy!

Just a thought.....If it was near enough to being entirely original, would it be worth it to leave it as it is and just tidy it up, do something to prevent the rust from advancing? It could could be a valuable resource to determine originality.
Did it arrive as a knock down kit?

wow - can see quite a few differences just from those pictures...



ditto - would be nice to clean it up as is



don't think so - too early for that as CKD started in '60 - would have been a private import or one of the BMC test cars. Particularly with the FE number and Austin badge

I spoke to ivan yesterday (my mini is being pulled apart in the background of the last photo).

He said it's one of the demo cars that was shipped over to aus.
I believe he said it's Dec 59.

As far as i know it's also the original engine, which started with only a few minor issues.

Some less obvious differences people might not be aware of:
Riveted wheel centers instead of welded
Floor and the sill are one part, which resulted in water getting trapped inside the car, instead of being pushed out
The speedo surround is like paper mache, instead of plastic


The rust really isnt that bad.
The worst part is the boot and I've seen far FAR worse cars that are 15 odd years younger.
Apart from the boot, only the floor needs a little attention.

The car is in incredibly safe hands, don't worry Hanra.

You guys really have to see it to appreciate it, it just oozes character

_________________
You're so square
Baby I don't care

I don't think it is the original engine. The rocker cover, head, distributor and clutch housing are all off a later Aussie car as is the carby, radiator, radiator shroud and wiper motor.The fuel pump is incorrect and in the wrong place. The master cylinders are correct though.

_________________
1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian

I'm just wondering, What would you loose by restoring it properly

_________________
Tim
Dusk Blue
1964 850

+1. It look very much like an Ozzy Deluxe (998) engine.

_________________

Quite likely nothing in the right hands.....but you're missing the point.
What is probably the oldest surviving car and IF it's largely unmolested, it has considerable value unrestored as a reference vehicle and sometimes gains little money value once restored, again depending on the starting condition.
The vehicle is in good hands and he will do as he sees fit and I will enjoy it as much either way.
Edit >> The posts immediately above pretty well say, "Restore it"

That's not actually correct.

Ivan gave me the numbers a few years ago and I did a check with Heritage in the UK (when I had a friendly contact there) and apparently the car was sold new to Nuffield Exports, and went to Norfolk Island. How and when it came to Australia is a mystery.

I have spoke to Ivan about this.

The demo cars that came to Australia were all but in early 1960 (Feb or March from memory), not 1959.

However, as far as we can tell, this is the oldest known Mini in Australia - though not the first to come here.

It will be great to see it on display.

Ivan has another jewel that he will bring to Wakefield Park, but not sure if it will be at Zetland.

Cheers,
Watto.