It's Only a Mini !

[Grumpy Northener]

Granted it's early, very low mileage and very rare in this condition - but £47,500 !!! come off it Mr Dealer

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C326477

[harvey]

Having seen other vehicles for sale from this Dealer, with equally ridiculous prices, I have come to the conclusion his name is Cockney Rhyming Slang.

[JPB]

I know his brother, Mike Hunt.

'Tis a pretty wee thing though, I'd have it but only if the decimal point were in the correct place.

I've been trying to find a wet MK1 or MK2 - hey, I'm not fussed - automatic for sensible money in similar condition for about a year now and honestly, sometimes I would sooner hand over a similarly stupid quantity of cash rather than trail on average 700 miles there & back to see yet another mini that's nothing like as good as the description claims.

Anyone fancy swapping their wet, 1960s mini auto for a couple of ready-to-let Tyneside pairs in an established student area, HMO ready and with 99 year leases both?

[rich.]

just think how many immaculate nissan micras you could buy fot that money...

[tractorman]

Hmm, a nice little car at a daft price. I notice there are a few wrinkles in the NS dash and front door trim, so won't be buying it!

However, this car looks nice and suits John's need for an auto:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI. ... 8295486512

OK, it's a Farina Riley, but what a cracking car for the money!

[JPB]

Ah yes, I viewed that Riley with a mind to buy about three of its eBay outings ago as I've loved my 1622cc Farinas and would have another in a flash. Trouble with that one is that it's possibly even better than it appears and would - however unlikely it is that I'd ever say this - probably be far too good to use regularly . It's an easy concours winner with a little detailing to the o/s/f outrigger and the engine bay and is probably worth the £6k that the seller wants for it but no, I have to find a mini however I'm not excluding Elves and Hornets from the search and shall continue to look for that rarest of things; an original, preserved mini auto that needs no work and has plenty of history. They're out there, I just need to be patient and I'll find one. Other classics have become mine either by inheritance or I've gone to view them on a one-way bus ticket and bought because I needed to get home again!
A nice Hydrolastic auto though, that's something I'm going to buy because I actually want another mini and I also want to be the one person not to add such things as big wheels, disc brakes or a MK5 shell.

I'm viewing a couple this weekend coming but have become quite pessimistic as it's apparently harder than ever to find a good, basic mini. As for this one, well I've seen a 1071S go for less than £16K and that came with full history from its one private owner and was about as perfect as any I've seen so spending five figures on such an ordinary - if stunningly well presented and clearly correct car - would be plain mad unless I were the owner of a well-funded museum.

You're right Rich, K10s for £40k? I reckon at least 37 really good ones for that.

[mahone]

I think I bought a car from his other brother, Warwick...

Wasn't there was a very, very early Mini that sold from some similarly stupid amount recently - even though it was an absolute shed? Bet he's been inspired to chance his arm on the back of that....

[JPB]

Yes, I know the one you mean, as indeed I'm intimate with about 40% of all '60s minis that have gone through eBay in these past couple of years , I believe that it was bid to around the 40k mark on both of its recent listings simply because it was an ostensibly complete. '59-built example with much of the unique detail in place. It's probably a publicity exercise though and I'd bet that it appears again soon. I rate it as the most expensive way to acquire an MOT-exempt V5c, or is that a wee bit too cynical?

If, as has happened a couple of times in recent years, my licence comes back after the next renewal with my manual entitlement having miraculously reappeared, I'd be very tempted by something of the quality of this little sweetheart, link is in the image:

Now ain't that a better buy than the £45k+ one? OK, so it's had work but that price could end up extremely sensible.





Please, Messrs DVLA, can I have my bike entitlement back too as you managed to f*ck that up at the same time?

[bnicho]

A clean automatic Mk1 or Mk11 changes hands for anywhere from $6-10,000AU. Roughly GBP 3300-5300. The automatics are less sought after than manuals.

I wouldn't describe this one as "clean", but it seems a pretty honest example:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/deta ... 0-13041705

Note it's an Aussie spec Mk11, that's why it was made in 1970 but looks like a Mk1 with funny doors.

I'm hopefully taking delivery of a clean and largely unmolested UK spec Mk1 manual next week.

[tractorman]

Dammit John, you've got me looking for them now:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Delightful-19 ... 3cc9dac48b

OK, not immaculate, but would make a nice little motor for someone!

I still prefer the Riley and am tempted to remove the sitting room's patio door (the big tractor is too tall to fit!)