Thought I had seen everything...

[Black 1071 S]

I just bought a MK1 in the UK a few weeks ago... It looks allright at first sight... BUT;



I had my doubts wether to use the body or not, as I was a bit suspicious about the way the body had been " restored "

Well... I was right! what the hell was the f@#*%r thinking!?1?

here's some pics...














Oh, and this was his brake pipe at the front, from right to left...

[austinisuseless]

Ah, the daily newspaper and wall paper paste treatment I see, with a good coating of undersealer. An excellent form of Brit restoration practice from times past, which should not be forgotten...

Blame the MOT tomorrow morning syndrome in the past.

[Pete]

Ahhh the good 'ol Mini bodge up,just as prevelant now as they ever were ! In fact I've noticed over sills are coming back in fashion, like they ever went out ?!!

[JC T ONE]

I can only agree--I have worked on Mini,s on & off since 1977, -
and I have NEVER seen such a brakepipe repair before

But look at the bright side, with all the "goo & filler" you scrape off -

you will be able to go faster, and increase the mpg average

my latest resto project, also had some "clever" solutions to all the rot -

somewhere we found 3 layers of plate, both innerwings/bootfloor were built up with -

stainless steel plates, that was fitted with poprivits & epoxy, and then -

covered with underseal

good luck with your project

[InimiaD]

Particularly like the brake pipe bodge. NOT!!
What on earth was that person smoking at the time.??

[Black 1071 S]

And you know what?

My place is smelling like fresh filler at the mo!!! so he just made these repairs a few weeks ago...

Really, this guy did not know what he was doing, will not know, ever... hope he stays far from cars in the future.

[JC T ONE]

Really, this guy did not know what he was doing, will not know, ever... hope he stays far from cars in the future.

Yes can only agree once more, btw, isnt the front subframe changed to a singlebolt/rubber mounts =1975

[coop12g295]

Didn't know what he was doing? Bet he did for a quick sale.
Rubber mount subframe dual circuit brakes with porportion
valve and the resistor on the o/s inner wing theres a lot of
80s parts under the bonnet.

[coop12g295]

Just shown my mate these pics.He's a qualiified mechanic panel beater and sprayer with 8 years training and english wheeling.He thinks you are being a bit picky not

[tomkidd]

F*cking hell!

Rubber hose for barke pipes? WTF?

Why is all that filler on the inner wing? I can't see what it is covering?

[guru_1071]

that brake pipe is shocking

[Black 1071 S]

Really, now I've slep a night over it, and I can not understand what somebody would be thinking doing this.

I have just weighed the filler, it is a stunning 23 kilo!!!!!!!! and I have not taken everything off yet!

I am not sure what to do, first contact owner, and then Ebay. I paid good money for it, thinking it was a "restored" car with loads of new parts. I had NEVER paid that amount when I knew this, that is for sure!

As the filler still smelled like new, this was a quick sellingjob.

[guru_1071]

if it has a recent mot (28 days for normal stuff, three months for corrosion related problems), you can contact vosa on 0870 60 60 440 people and report the testing station,

the testing station will then be inspected.

i guess that this car either belonged to someone who worked at the garage, or a mate of the person who tested it.

its virtually impossible for cars in this state to pass mots these days, so someone has made a real 'effort' to get a ticket on this one.

[Pete]

I paid good money for it, thinking it was a "restored" car with loads of new parts.

Did you inspect it before buying or buy it blind ?

[Black 1071 S]

if it has a recent mot (28 days for normal stuff, three months for corrosion related problems), you can contact vosa on 0870 60 60 440 people and report the testing station,

the testing station will then be inspected.

i guess that this car either belonged to someone who worked at the garage, or a mate of the person who tested it.

its virtually impossible for cars in this state to pass mots these days, so someone has made a real 'effort' to get a ticket on this one.

It did not have an MOT, as it was a Cat C, and needed to be finish first. well.. that was his story.

I paid good money for it, thinking it was a "restored" car with loads of new parts.

Did you inspect it before buying or buy it blind ?

No, I did not inspect, as I was in the USA at the time of auction. I had asked what was needed to finish the car.
Also, as I live in the Netherlands, I had made a lot of costs to collect it. when collecting the Mini, it was not an option to have a good look at it. I noticed some filler in the enginebay, asked the guy about it, and he just said it was the painters work. I did not see the underneath of the car. Due to the costs of coming over to the UK, and the fact I am a man of my word, I took the Mini with me.

[guru_1071]

what?

you bought a car thats a cat c right off and needs a VIC check before it will ever be allowed on the road (that it would never pass looking at the photos) or even get its V5C reissued.

how on earth are you even going to legally import it into the netherlands?


bit of depressing reading for you.......

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Bu ... DG_4022107

i hope you didnt pay too much for it!

[Black 1071 S]

I have done that before, VIC check is a laugh. when the car is properly built that is.

According to the pictures the listing was giving, the car looked good. My plan was to finish it, drive to UK, VOSA check, back and import it here. did that before so did not see a problem there.

but when I had it in the 2 pilar lift here, I had a better look at it and that scared the shit out of me. So, have emailed Ebay what to do with this. will then email the seller( who I presume will not reply)and see what to do.

[guru_1071]

i doubt ebay will do anything if you have left him good feedback.

the VIC tests are getting more strict - particually on older cars

[Black 1071 S]

no, didn't give feedback yet, first wanted to see what was goin on.

I did the test 1,5 year ago, with a Mini 40, restored after allround damage. they just had a look underbonnet, and at the chassisnumer. "that's allright sir "

[Pete]

I know this is gonna hurt, and I may well get some stick for saying this but.....it sounds like you only have yourself to blame.

I doubt I've seen more than a handful of accurately described cars on Ebay, they virtually ALWAYS over describe them or more likely don't tell you the bad stuff for the simple reason that if most sellers are frank and honest it'll cost 'em ££££££££. I've sold a couple of cars in recent years with frank descriptions and boy does it cost you when you tell 'em too much. Some sellers are just clueless about what they've got but it's your call at the end of the day to check the car before paying for it , if it's a private vendor it's 'sold as seen' , once you've taken the car away you're at the mercy of the sellers discretion to compensate you or take the car back which is highly unlikely.

You're dancing with the devil buying a car from a photo on the internet but if it makes you feel any better most of us have done it !