mk1-forum.net

Hello gents,

Not been on here for some time, mainly due to pc problems but fingers crossed all is ok now. Put a deposit down on this little beauty on Saturday, still pinching myself to see if it actually happened as I wasn't even looking for another car....anyway, bit of background to it, it's a November '68 job built to standard spec and despatched to Stewart & Arden's Acton premises the same month, where it appears to have sat there until 19th April '69 when it was reg'd to it's first owner. Restored in '91 to standard spec (apart from conversion from wet to dry), it stayed with the same owner until 2007 when it went to an elderly gent in Wrexham who bought it for his (presumably) elderly missus, who hated driving it so barely a month later it went to the guy I bought if from near Hertford. He then added Newton replica recliners (ditching the black adjustment handles and fitting MG / Triumph ones instead), neg camber radius arms and new bushes etc, period ciggie lighter, Benelite grille (currently off the car, it's a bit grubby so I'll restore it), electronic ignition, period seat belts, steering column drop bracket and a nice Moto-Lita steering wheel. It also comes with the original back breaking front seats, four 4.5" S rims with tyres and two boxes of bits he didn't want hanging around, inc an unopened Speedwell throttle pedal. Just been MOT'd and serviced too. Numbers wise it all checks out, and Steve Burkinshaw from the MCR had a hand in finding the car for the guy I'm buying from, which is good news. All being well I should be picking it up in about a week or so, if I can organise a lift before the seller nips over to Le Mans on the 10th June.

Nearly forgot..... it drives fantastically, much nicer than the Mk1 S I had a while back, strongest engine I've come across so far in a Mini. Can't wait to get it home...







Nidge

WOW!!!

She's a beauty. I can imagine the anticipation is too much...

looks great, I'm looking forward to more pics!

Cheers both

Looks like I might be picking it up on Saturday morning... already planning my route home via the back lanes!

N

Edit - couple more pics...

Lovely looking car Nidge

thats a really nice looking car!

i hope your going to paint the door buffers body colour for maximum annorack points though!

Cheers chaps

Take it you mean the white triangular wotsits on the doors Guru... er, yes, er, I probably will, since everything else on the car is just about spot on! Must consult Mr Parnell's opus more often

Pick up now confirmed for early Saturday morning, the anticipation is near killing me, couldn't concentrate for toffee at work this morning (don't mean to alarm anyone but I'm a train driver - ha ha...!). Probably going to put the Dunlop D1s on it that are currently on my '69 Mk2 Cooper, just need to decide what to put on that car before it's sold. Want to get the Benelite grille smartened up quick sharp too, wondering how best to go about it - the black paint between the slats is flaking off and needs redoing. The lamps are in pretty good nick though. Must remember to bring the spare set of S rims home with the car as well!

*somebody pinch me.... I'd forgotten what it's like to have that 'new car' feeling*

N.

Looks a beauty.
It'll be worth the wait though. You'll be driving round with a permanent evil grin on your face.

UWD 672G wrote: Probably going to put the Dunlop D1s on it

Worth noting that they'll stick out 'a bit' on an S with anything other than 145 tyres on and even then they're marginal.

Pete

Surf 1275 wrote:

UWD 672G wrote: Probably going to put the Dunlop D1s on it

Worth noting that they'll stick out 'a bit' on an S with anything other than 145 tyres on and even then they're marginal.

Pete

Thanks Pete, I did wonder about the offset etc, they look ok on my 998 at the moment....will try 'em out anyway. Here's one on flickr...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/happy-acci ... 2424635344

Just sorted out the insurance and train ticket for picking it up first thing in the morning....can't stop thinking about it

Nidge.

They look like the MWS repro jobs which may have a more suitable offset.

Mine are MWS repros also Pete, heard one or two bad things about them before I bought 'em but they're fine.

Cheers

Put the D1s on it this morning..







Nidge

they really suit it

Cheers Guru

Will add some interior and engine bay shots tomorrow.

Switch carrier needs painting Cumulus Grey and the Kangol belts need some stickers putting on.... the Newton replica recliners are dead comfy, but you can tell the material isn't the same as that on the original rear seats

What a stunning example, a credit to you and all your dedicated hard work.

morris-miner wrote:What a stunning example, a credit to you and all your dedicated hard work.

Thanks for that M-M, but I didn't restore it, apart from changing the wheels over this is just how I bought it last week. The resto has stood up well though

Cheers,
Nidge.

Update... this is what it looks like now...!



What started out as a 'new front end and a blow over' has turned into something else entirely... lots of new metal going in and some of the previous resto bodges are being put right. To be fair to the original restorers it was done very well overall the first time round back in '91, but it looks like the firm that did it sort of gave up towards the end and cut a few corners.

just my eyes or the rear windows look small like the mk1 on the first pic's?