1970 Antelope Mini 1000
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 9:51 pm
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.
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.
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.
In the engine bay (or what's left) it's got the tell tale early bonnet hinges with vertical mounting holes.
Unfortunately the boot floor has a few too many holes to be worth repairing so I think I'll be replacing the whole thing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In the engine bay (or what's left) it's got the tell tale early bonnet hinges with vertical mounting holes.
Unfortunately the boot floor has a few too many holes to be worth repairing so I think I'll be replacing the whole thing.
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.
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.
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.
love mk3's got a 72 myself