1970 Antelope Mini 1000

Images & stories about our current projects, cars, engines & all sorts of other stuff.
Post Reply
Tupers
998 Cooper
Posts: 649
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 5:38 pm
Location: Newton Abbot
Been thanked: 3 times

1970 Antelope Mini 1000

Post by Tupers »

After years and years of dreaming about owning a proper early MK3 Mini I recently spotted a 1970 shell for sale online 50 minutes away from the workshop and went down to look at it.

I suppose it's technically both a barn & Facebook find but either way it came with a lovely coating of dust and almost all of the parts that come off the car pre restoration. The previous owner had plans to turn it into a MK3 Cooper S replica but I think I'm going to go for something slightly closer to standard.
Image

So far it's had the LH inner sill and flitch replaced although I'll be replacing it again with a correct early type panel.
Image

The front floor pans are in very nice condition as are the rears. It's odd seeing a MK1/2 from parcel shelf in a MK3 body.
Image

In the engine bay (or what's left) it's got the tell tale early bonnet hinges with vertical mounting holes.
Image

Unfortunately the boot floor has a few too many holes to be worth repairing so I think I'll be replacing the whole thing.
Image

Image

I'm not sure I've ever seen an early MK3 bonnet in the flesh before. This one needs a little attention but I'm glad I don't have to find one.
Image

The original front panel was also saved and although it's unlikely that I'll salvage it at least I've got it as a reference.
Image

Image

It's unlikely this project will be anything close to fast paced but it'll all be worth it to have what might one of the rarest marques on Mini around.
Beatie
998 Cooper
Posts: 688
Joined: Mon May 30, 2016 1:04 pm
Location: Norfolks highest point

Re: 1970 Antelope Mini 1000

Post by Beatie »

Looks great mate :D love mk3's got a 72 myself :D
Tupers
998 Cooper
Posts: 649
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 5:38 pm
Location: Newton Abbot
Been thanked: 3 times

Re: 1970 Antelope Mini 1000

Post by Tupers »

Beatie wrote:Looks great mate :D love mk3's got a 72 myself :D
I've had a couple '70s saloons through my hand over the last few years but they've always had to go for one reason or another. This one should be a keeper though. It's worth it to confuse people with the odd details if nothing else.
Post Reply