Most people, as they grow older, wiser and more affluent, move on to larger and more luxurious cars.
Not me.
For some inexplicable reason, I've always been fascinated by Minis. Introduced in 1959, the simple yet ingenious Mini became a cult classic, remaining in production until 2000. One of the most successful and beloved cars of all time, it set the stage for the modern transverse engine, front wheel drive cars we all know today.
With the Fiat sold, Tina and I wanted a car we could both use and enjoy. We contemplated lots of other choices, from Mustangs and Falcons to Metropolitans and Packards. But one car we both thought was simply irresistible was the Mini. My original hope, having never owned an English car (and quite frankly baffled by the absurd adulation most British car nuts express towards these questionable vehicles) was to "cheat" and get an Italian built Mini called an Innocenti. Sadly, they are quite rare here in the USA, and I didn't feel the premium being asked for them was worth it. I curbed my appetite for the big 1275cc engine, disc brakes and fancy instrument panel so that I could actually afford a Mini of some sort that wasn't falling to bits.
You see, Minis were last sold in the USA around 1967, as the car became a hopeless casualty of our increased bumper, safety and emissions requirements. Minis in the US are difficult to find, and demand far outstrips supply. So, what trades for $1500 in Britain can be worth $5000 here. Show quality Minis trade for more than double that.
Introduction
Our Mini is a 1979 850, about as plain of a car as you will come across. It has 33,000 miles, original and beautiful floors, and runs quite nicely. It has been repainted, with a job I'd term a 2 footer. This means it looks good from as close as 2 feet away before you start to see some orange peel or some rust bubbles poking through. The driver's seat is worn and lopsided, the other seats each have a small tear in the vinyl but are otherwise good. The carpet looks to be a replacement kit, and the fit isn't spectacular. It has the stock steel 10" wheels with 3 different kinds of tires. It puts out 37 hp @ 5500 rpm. It's also right hand drive, which to be honest, really isn't a challenge to adapt to at all. At the time of purchase, I had a budget cap around $6000, and this car was truly the best one I could find for that money. The essential key to any Mini is a sound shell; without it, you're flushing money down the toilet. So, we have a sound but slow shell with drum brakes that we can at least drive and enjoy as-is for the time being.
Problems & Fixes
Though it's a very solid car with no real problems, there are some things that need addressing. Most are just things that annoy me and wouldn't bother a lot of people. None are catastrophic, and most are easily remedied.
1) Horn: a nice loud (and apparently, non-original) horn which I discovered seemed so loud in the car because it was pointing backwards towards the firewall. Spun around to face the front, it performs as it should.
2) Quarter glass seals: these are dry and rotting, and need to be replaced. I've elected to buy swing-out quarter glasses for improved ventilation. These have been installed. 4 screws and you're done!
3) Taillight lenses cracked/broken: have been replaced with clean used ones.
4) Horrid lighting: the old non-halogen headlamps suck, to say the least. Need to be replaced; debating on adding extra lamps on a light bar to the front. The originals do, however, have 'city lights' which are a neat feature.
5) Heater valve: very tight action, and it now appears to be leaking (imagine...a fluid leak on a British car!). Repeated use actually seems to have helped it fix itself.
6) Exhaust hits floopan on decel: after several attempts, I've finally hung it in such a way it no longer hits. Tight clearances probably not helped by a mediocre quality system. Further tinkering reveals that the engine steady bushes were worn out. Replacement has solved this issue.
7) Chrome on front bumper peeling off: stainless bumpers are available, and are likely the best solution. I've bought stainless replacements.
8) Driver's door broken: the car appears to have new door skins, and the welds along the hinge end of this door are either broken or missing entirely. This will be a little tricky to fix (door must be taken off) only because I don't want to damage the paint on the exterior if possible. In talking with some more knowledgable folks, this is apparently not unusual.
9) Oil leak. Like I should be surprised by this? The shifter rod leaks where it exits the transmission. I bought the special seal and collar kit and installed it, which seemed to make a difference as well as replacing the inner axle seals. However, it still is leaking, possibly from some of the transmission gaskets, but not nearly as much as before.
10) Driver's seat bottom: At first I thought it was the padding, but now it seams the driver's seat pedestals are not centered in the floor and one is falling into a stamped recess. I've stuck a piece of thin aluminum plate under the one side to prop it up for the time being. I've installed Suzuki Swift GTi seats to the car.
Planned Upgrades
As money and time permit, I want to kick this thing in the arse a bit and get some more performance out of it (like every poor wretch that enters my garage).
1) Disc brakes: parts already on order (used). Requires changing to 12" wheels. Completed
2) Alloy wheels: See above, also on order. Why on earth do little tires cost as much as giant big ones??? Completed
3) Noise: the exhaust is a pathetic little tube that is blissfully half rusted. A little more roar would be nice.
4) Power: probably a ways down the road, but I will be on the lookout for a 1275cc engine (75 hp vs 37 hp). I have obtained a 1098 engine from an rotted Austin Princess ADO16 (think Austin America with more wood)
5) Cosmetics: still mulling this over. The poor thing is so white everywhere...maybe bonnet stripes, or a black roof, or something else entirely. It needs a little something to break up the appliance white appearance. I've since added arches, spot lamps and will paint the roof black, when I can get to it
First Impressions
Having no loyalty whatsoever to the British car nuts of the world, I'll be blatantly honest here for the benefit of those who may have an interest in getting one of these little things. It is a hoot to drive. Very nimble, decently responsive (especially considering when it was designed). It is far roomier inside than you can imagine. The driving position is a bit offset, and the pedals are small (don't wear big soles to drive these). The 1275's run very well. The 850 is actually surprising...it will cruise happily at 65+ without shrieking. It's slow off the line, but once in third gear it picks up quickly. If you want a Mini, and have never driven a 1275, then an 850 may be enough car for you. The drum brakes are better than expected, but I haven't really pushed them.
With just a cursory look in the engine bay, it doesn't seem to be difficult to access most of the important stuff. You will, however, bash your head smartly on the underside of the bonnet/hood with aggravating regularity.
As for the body...well, this is where the Mini reveals it's true self. It really is a pretty horrid little car. Panel fit, steel thickness, rust resistance are all abysmal. Keep it in context, however: the Mini was designed to be a cheap car to provide minimal transportation to folks with little money (and, one would assume, was expected to be thrown away after providing adequate service). It was never meant to be a show car, or last an eternity. Expecting this from a Mini is asking for disappointment. The joy in a Mini is not in the (non-existent) Lexus build quality, but in the sheer fun of driving something so cheerful, nimble and silly. Minis are cars that should be used, and used often. Minis are classless, meaning they appeal to folks from every walk of life. Perfection should not be expected. Jocularity and good humor should be. If you want a Mini, want one for the right reasons, or buy some other stuffy English car with lots of wood on the dash.
At present, I'm having a ball just driving it. More reports to follow as things break, leak or fall off, and as improvements to it's appearance and performance are made.
Links
West PA Minis: where I ultimately obtained mine. Alistair and Peter are two funny and honest guys who love selling Minis.
HAMOC: Harrisburg Area Mini Owner's Club, for you central PA residents
