VFF 684 1963 Austin Mini

[coopertim]

Well after a few months of an empty garage and nearly two years trying to buy it, VFF 684 an Austin in Almond Green is finally mine!! The car was registered on 5th March 1963 in Monmouthshire so is just 50 years old. It belonged to a friend of my dads in the motor trade and for two years he was saying that he was going to restore it! After gently reminding the old boy that i was still interested, he finally conceded that he would never get round to doing anything with it and said i could buy it. VFF is a really solid little car and still comes with its original front panel, centre mounted sun visors and crackle black rear view mirror and nestling in the engine bay is a 1293 engine......''i used to do a bit of rallying in the sixties you know so i put one of my old engines in it!''

Plans for the car are to get it back on the road as soon as and have some fun. VFF is not going to be a trailer queen or be entered into concours. It will be a quick little car with a few nice bits on it which looks the part!

Tim

[Etienne B.]

It looks very nice Tim, very nice !
Superb panel gaps !

[rolesyboy]

Brilliant news Tim and certainly preferable to the non negotiable red one hey. Looks like a real belter and what a great starting point for you. Good luck. Mark

[coopertim]

Yep its not a bad starting point and was no where near the stupid prices of ebay! It will need a floor and boot repairs A panels and a wing. Green / Grey interior when i find one and a set of Rosepetals and that will do for now.

Tim.

[Andrew1967]

Looks a great little project Tim.

[coopertim]

So..........anybody got any bits and pieces going spare?? I seem to have sold all mine!!!

MUPPET!!!!

[steve1071]

Very nice Tim. Didn't think you'd be Mini less for long!

Think I have some green grey cooper trim. Got a busy week, then I'm away at the weekend so bear with me!

[coopertim]

Steve you are a star!! What stuff do you think you may have off the top of your head?

Tim

[Nevsmini]

Tim great to see you have a mk1 again. Great looking project, A dove grey roof would be the biz ( a rare cooper colour) .

[steve1071]

Tim, pretty sure I have a back seat and at least one front. No dove grey trim, I'm after some if anyone has any, but I do have porcelain green panels.
Should get a look in my lock up tomorrow.

[coopertim]

Its amazing what an afternoon in the sunshine sorting and detailing makes to a car! The old girl looks a lot better now and the wheels suit a treat! Still shed loads to do and lots of not so pretty bits to sort!

MOT is a bit closer now though!

Tim

[foxy52]

mmm,.that cleaned up with a nice patina of age,..i see u have a wasso petrol cap to , funny how a mini looks undressed without any chrome side trim around arches etc etc.... nice !!...foxy52

[36inter]

Mmmmm 10" wheels, that looks tons better. Lovely car. Lucky man.

Pete

[rolesyboy]

Oh Tim, lose the yellow and white perspex plates. The concours boys will crucify you..LOL

[guru_1071]

Oh Tim, lose the yellow and white perspex plates. The concours boys will crucify you..LOL

technically they are correct for the age of the issue of the plate

[coopertim]

Yeah Mark the plates are going to disappear shortly! Concours??? I don't think so! This will be a mini that is driven and used!

Tim

[coopertim]

Well spotted Rich!! The car was originally registered 1068 DF. The chap who owned the car before me had the mini for 24 years and bought it for the plate. How much?? £200!! It's on his Merc now.

[guru_1071]

Well spotted Rich!! The car was originally registered 1068 DF. The chap who owned the car before me had the mini for 24 years and bought it for the plate. How much?? £200!! It's on his Merc now.

SFF, VFF, YUF etc are nearly always re-issues, if your sad you can normally work out how many years ago the car lost its plate by what the plate is, i.e SFF is from about 10-12 years ago, YUF is from a couple of years ago.

I don't really have an issue with plates been bought and sold, after all its something that was done from day one of plates been issued

[coopertim]

Well following Beaulieu and the bits and bobs bought, here is the improved rump of VFF! Im really pleased with how the car is shaping up.

Tim

[JC T ONE]

Nice car

Love the dealer sill badge.