mk1-forum.net

A good friend of mine has brought a Mk1 mini over from South Africa. It is a longbridge built 850 hydrolastic, sent over as a ckd, and he has spent a great deal of money on it, including a bare metal respray and a 1275 engine. Unfortunately after all that, the final drive ratio is wrong, and although it drives extremely well, it maxes out at 60mph! He is in his late 70s, and has no longer the energy or motivation to get it sorted. He asked my advice and I said I would get input as to its value. it is fully registered as an historic vehicle, so is ready for the road. Any ideas as to what it is worth??

This is a good question. Having had an unusual fascination with the classic mini since seeing my first. That was before I got a driver's license. Here I am at 75 years of age and still fascinated with the little cars. I think I have nine now and struggling to restore all before I get old. I understand the issues your guy is struggling with. A year ago, I completed a 90 Rover mainstream Cooper. It has been listed on this board for a year. I have been contacted about it twice. One guy from Canada loved the car if it were $5000 less. I had an engine I had built for a hill climb project. 1293, ported head, wicket cam, SC/CR, 4.13 CWP. Even with 13-inch wheels and tires it's a hand full due to tire spin, poor idle and unpleasant at 60/70 mph. After one test drive of 120 miles I have dropped the original 90 Rover Cooper block and crank at machine shop for clean, hone, cam bearings and freeze plugs, polish crank. The transmission is getting bearings, synchros, forks, diff pin and spiders. Having 3.1 and 3.2 CWPs I'm going to try the 3.2. The MG Metro cam will go back in.
In answer to your question, here in the states I feel the market has cooled. To many people have aged out and can longer enjoy their toy. The other issue I'm running into is the cost of quality parts and shipping. The cost of parts, outsourced labor and personal labor are greater than what they will sell for. The other issue I'm dealing with is the new way to sell a classic. I wasn't happy 30 years ago when the boss said we are going from pencil and paper to computer. I don't want to be on face book or any social media. This is about the limit of my ability and I still can't post pics. Good luck. Steve (CTR)

It does feel like the US market has cooled on Minis a bit this year (in line with most other classics). Some of the most recent auctions for cars that have been up for auction before took notably lower values in their 2024 auctions…but the prices still seem strong in my eyes. It may be beneficial to compare his car to auctions on bringatrailer which is one of the go-to sites for US Classic car sales these days. It’s often held as the value setter.

It’s a beautiful car, I’d be interested in hearing the price whenever it becomes available. There’s still a few of us “young” guys taking up the reins of Mini passion here in the states

Im not entirely sure where the car is, but seeing uk reg plates, I presume it’s in the UK?

It has got to be in the £15k to £20k bracket, obviously have to take into account its non original engine and issues you describe that need rectifying.

Check out eBay and car and classic for similar

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1764114

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176786708054?

jakethepeg wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2025 12:10 pm A good friend of mine has brought a Mk1 mini over from South Africa. It is a longbridge built 850 hydrolastic, sent over as a ckd, and he has spent a great deal of money on it, including a bare metal respray and a 1275 engine. Unfortunately after all that, the final drive ratio is wrong, and although it drives extremely well, it maxes out at 60mph! He is in his late 70s, and has no longer the energy or motivation to get it sorted. He asked my advice and I said I would get input as to its value. it is fully registered as an historic vehicle, so is ready for the road. Any ideas as to what it is worth??




Screenshot_20250113_082219_Photos.jpg

Is it an investment opportunity or a hobby purchase? So much fun in a Mini. Just reading the Will Sparrow book by Pablo Raybould and it has brought back so many happy memories of taking part in local car road rallies, with a bit of success. The driver sold the car and built a rally Mini after reading Will's Cars & Car Conversions article.

Yes, at first glance one would think this car would be in the 15,000 to 20,000 range. Having gone that route numerous times, I'm sure at least twice that much if not more has been spent to reach this level. I have three current customers who have spent $35,000 to $45,000 over a several year period. Two are ready to sell due to age related health issues. one also an older owner has concerns that his grandchildren will get his pride and joy. We are trying to decide how big a hit each is willing to take. The investment has been in the joy of having a need nothing mini in their personal style. Having owned a classic for 57 years and driven one 157,000 miles over a 17-year period I have only ever sold three and bought one of those back. Steve (CTR)

Talking of “the market” I think this guy sums up what I’ve been thinking for a couple of years now about values and how nostalgia moves on :

https://youtu.be/DzLh4bFBDSI?si=poeyRrEAmYP47aea

Yes Pete, I agree with him that most cars are just old cars and the demand fades with the owners of that generation as they vanish.

Especially the investors who are maybe not really interested in cars!

This is not really news however, its always been a bit like this.

As the generations who wanted them when they were young pass on, demand for them declines.

Too me, many old cars have little merit apart from nostalgia. I try and avoid these. Not everything that is old is good, that's for sure.

I have no real enthusiasm for the "cars of my youth" from the 70's 80s and 90's which are in vogue at the moment. These would include E30/ E36 BMWs, Toyota Supras, MG Metro, Peugeot GTI, Cosworth Sierras, Old S3s, Mercedes 190s that sort of thing.

These are just old versions of modern cars to me. They hold a similar level of appeal to me as a Miele washing machine that I remember fondly because it lasted for 15 years without going wrong. I am not going to go on Ebay to go and find another one from 1995 just so I can remember the good old days.

However "special" cars hold their value well. They continue to appeal to younger generations as they offer timeless style and performance. They are still very much in demand and values continue to hold, as they age well. They all have one thing in common - sex appeal. That never goes away.

This appeal transcends the original generations that passed away years ago and includes pre war Alfas, Bentleys, and post war cars such as the XK120s, Ferraris, Astons, many American muscle cars, 911s, 356s this sort of thing. They are all pretty expensive now for a reason.

As far as Minis go, I think there will be plenty of longevity in the market, interest rate and covid fluctuations aside. Many owners are much younger than the cars and buy them out of choice as they offer style and driver appeal still at a competitive level today. They have aged very well.

However, I feel the appeal of things like Ford Cortinas, Hillman Avengers, Austin 10's, Renault 16s and Ford Pintos is far more limited. They are just old cars to me. I also feel that way about many of the older sports cars too. Many were really just not that good.

All the cars I have predate me and I still like them. One predates my existence 19 years. I like them because I think they have a timeless appeal one way or the other.

I still want a 68 Mustang Fastback too and I am looking at doing another Mini as well.

One thing that the Mini has in its favor of a possible long lifespan .. if like me whenever your Mini is Parked Up & a very Young Child passes bye they Stop & look at the Mini often with the Parent describing how their Child "Likes Minis".. Teenagers also seem to take Phone Photos of the cars.
Same situation here as young Grandson is on his way to inherit my 1071S .. he weekly Checks the Fluids & Tyres then Starts the car drives it out of the Garage & keeps it Polished & refits the dust cover .. always proud to show his mates the car & its features .. so there is hope for this mk1 that it will live on when i am long gone .. and all this is happening long before the Care Home get there fingers on its value

Pete wrote: ↑Tue Jan 21, 2025 9:05 am Talking of “the market” I think this guy sums up what I’ve been thinking for a couple of years now about values and how nostalgia moves on :

https://youtu.be/DzLh4bFBDSI?si=poeyRrEAmYP47aea

He's absolutely on the money.

In 15 years time it's entirely conceivable that a 2003 supercharged Cooper S will be worth as much as a 1963 car. I'm 57 and BMC Minis were part of growing up. My folks had three from 1969-78, and because they were motor club members we used to go to sprints and hillclimbs. In 1974, my folks bought a 1962 Austin Mini for 20 quid (mainly for the nearly new Peco exhaust for Mum's 1275GT), it it sat in the garden whilst me and my friends climbed all over it, played imaginary car chases etc. I remember it like it were yesterday. Ditto, my Mum has a photo of me aged 4, trying to undo the wheel nuts on a scrap 1960 Mini at their friend's house having found the jack in the boot and managed to get the rear wheel off the ground. It's something I'd watched adults do. The smell of recent cellulose after said friend resprayed my Mum's 1961 Mini, weeks before it had an 1100 engine transplant. If there were a way of downloading memories, the stuff we could share. Jesus!

Had about 10 or 15 Minis.......but, this is when I was 17 to 25 and you could buy one for buttons and you were young and daft enough to take some stupid risks regarding the law of physics.

I wouldn't buy one now for the prices asked. 50 grand for a Cooper S? No thanks, my last one was £5000. 50k buys a 996 Turbo with change.

My memories and stories die with me. Lads today don't know who Paddy Hopkirk was. Colin McRae - different story. That's why his Impreza 22B sold for nearly half a million quid.

politeperson wrote: ↑Tue Jan 21, 2025 10:26 am
I have no real enthusiasm for the "cars of my youth" from the 70's 80s and 90's which are in vogue at the moment. These would include E30/ E36 BMWs, Toyota Supras, MG Metro, Peugeot GTI, Cosworth Sierras, Old S3s, Mercedes 190s that sort of thing.

You're increasingly outnumbered there. If I'd kept my E30 M3 Sport Evolution, I'd be the thick end of 200 grand richer if I were to sell it now. But, the money I got in 2003 bought a house which is now worth......

BMC is long dead and forgotten but BMW isn't. Or Ford, Peugeot. They're still here but their products have long since become a means with which to gain a finance agreement.

The E30 was launched 43 years ago.

Talking of “the market” I think this guy sums up what I’ve been thinking for a couple of years now about values and how nostalgia moves on :

https://youtu.be/DzLh4bFBDSI?si=poeyRrEAmYP47aea

Abd coincidentally some of his cars seem to come from south Africa judging by the port Elizabeth number plates hanging on the wall and his saffer accent