A couple of folks are aware of this but it is far enough along the process to be public about my next Mini in the works.
1983 Mini 1000 Van from the Netherlands. It is purchased and in the process of getting the shipping arrangements set.
Looks really nice. May not be much for you fix on it hopefully.
That's a good-looking Mini!
That's cool 4.gif
That looks nice Michael.
I just posted on your sold Mini thread do you have another one in mind lol.
Me likey!!!
They are supposed to be removing the black-out tint from the side and rear windows to restore visibility.
The only "mods" I have planned for now are a high-mount third brake light, LED bulbs in the tail lights, and possibly carpet for the load floor.
Unless you were going for a color with the carpet, I'd consider using one of those rubber truck bed liners, durable and it dampens sound. an alternative to that is a horse stall mat from Tractor Supply.....either one cut to fit of course.
I think I have more than enough carpet pad and carpet left over from the Mini Marcos to do the job. The padding is rubberized on one side to resist sliding. The carpet is the indoor/outdoor type from Lowes in medium grey.
That looks awesome!
Can't wait to see it in person.
It is supposed to be leaving the port in Antwerp this weekend, due in Freeport, Texas about Dec 16th.
Actually time for the "big news" part of this thread.
I actually have two Minis on their way: the above mentioned 1983 Panel Van and a 1996 Japanese spec "Mini 35" Saloon in Almond Green with White roof and Porcelain Green interior. Being Japanese spec, the Saloon has a/c in the nicer wood dash. It also has been given a MK-I exterior appearance (MK-I grill, MK-I tail lights, and 10" wheels).
The "fun" part is they are both due to arrive on the same shipping vessel (leaving Southampton either today or tomorrow).
The UK place I am getting the Saloon from also has a couple of very special Minis in inventory: a "Votz" Mini (one of 48 "coach built" Minis) and the Rover factory 'development mule' for the RSP Coopers (Chassis 001 of that series). I don't know if either special Mini is on their website yet, but here is a link to their site:
https://www.classicwise.co.uk/ (https://www.classicwise.co.uk/)
Pix! Need pix!! :D
I forgot to save any of the pictures from the listing, but how about a walk-around video I received.
Wow, that's a beauty!
John Styer's Mini is a Jap Spec shell, almond green with white roof and porcelain green interior in leather, so that's only the second one I've ever seen in that color combination.
Very clean looking!
The pictures I have of the green one are all details such as these of the underside.
Beautiful! I remember seeing a brand new Mini Cooper just like this one, same Almond Green, same porcelain green interior (but not backdated) outside MiniSpares in London back in 1996. Seeing that car really stuck with me because a good friend of mine had a Almond Green Mk II Cooper S and I always loved the color.
Got the shipping confirmations today. They are both supposedly on the same boat, currently due into Freeport on Dec 16.
Merry Xmas to you! ;D 4.gif
Nice car Michael and the ac will be a plus in the Texas summers.
The almond green and white Mini along with the Monte Carlo special editions are my favourite ones, I have owned both and regret selling them.
They have both arrived (on the same ship) and cleared customs.
I am going to the port tomorrow (Wednesday, Dec 22) to pick up one car and then on Monday to get the other. Going to the port alone with my tow dolly, so I can only do one at a time. The port service is closed Thursday and Friday for the Holidays.
Cool! Merry Xmas to you! 77.gif
So.... Michael I'm sure you posted all about your new pair of Minis on your Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook accounts ;D but nothing here in Restoration Mini yet?
How's it going? Got pictures?
No Bruce, nothing posted anywhere. Everyone knows I avoid all those "social media" sites like the plague.
I have both Minis safely home. Two "all day" trips to the port in Freeport and back. I retrieved the Almond Green 1996 Mini 35 Wednesday before Christmas and the Blue 1983 Mini Van yesterday.
No pictures yet. I did not take my camera on either trip to the port.
I have had other catch-up work to do after each trip.
I did take some time today to get a temporary tag for the Mini Van in order to be able to drive it to the necessary inspections. I also set about getting the necessary "certified translations" of the Dutch Registration and Bill-of-Sale for the Mini Van.
I am still waiting on the original paperwork on the Almond Green one (coming from the UK). It has been delayed in the mail - not sure which side let it sit for almost a week in limbo between Royal Mail and USPS.
I need to give them both a good washing before trying to take any pictures.
Michael, I was jesting about the various social media outlets - I know you take a sensible approach and avoid all of that.
Great to hear that you have both of them home.
Quote from: MPlayle on December 28, 2021, 08:02:34 PM
I am still waiting on the original paperwork on the Almond Green one (coming from the UK). It has been delayed in the mail - not sure which side let it sit for almost a week in limbo between Royal Mail and USPS.
It is the UK - I have given up on using Royal Mail for international shipping in either direction, as it hits their international depot at Heathrow and simply disappears - well packages do.
I have to agree - the few times I've used the royal mail I've been surprised just how long it takes for things to get here....whether packages or just envelopes. Even the Royal Air mail is bog slow.....
More drama:
The "good news" - the paperwork coming from the UK is finally about to arrive. It was in "limbo" for a week, then made it to USPS "Customs" processing in Chicago. Then it took a whole day to cross from one side of Chicago International to the other. It has finally arrived in San Antonio and been processed through the main branch and at the area office. I expect to receive it tomorrow.
The "bad news" - I have to get a DMV VIN Verification on both (since they came from overseas) and the local DMV office is backed up until early April! I spent much of yesterday scrambling around making calls and visiting area municipalities trying to find any other law enforcement that could/would do the inspections. No dice. The small municipalities do not do the inspections and the DMV offices for surrounding counties will not reciprocate for Bexar county/San Antonio as Bexar county/San Antonio has a "does not play nice with others" reputation. I have appointments in April for each car and cannot get permanent tags until after those inspections.
The "saving grace" - I went back to the tax office to find out what to do as I am supposed to register the cars within 30 days of receiving them. Fortunately, they are both over 25 years old, so exempt from late fees and the "30 days" will not start until I get the VIN Verification and regular state inspections in April.
Will they give you temp tags to drive on till then?
Quote from: MiniDave on December 30, 2021, 07:09:30 PM
Will they give you temp tags to drive on till then?
Yes, although I have to pay a fee for each 30-day tag and can only do a total of 3 tags per car. That does not quite cover the whole time period before I can get the VIN Verification for each car. I will have to skip one month with each car to have tags active in April to drive to the inspections.
Well that sucks Michael.
The only saving grace is you have two to shuffle and drive through the waiting period.
You could alternate - use one in one month, the other the next.
Just a thought Michael some States let law enforcement do vehicle vin number inspections and sign off, i don't know if Texas is one of them though but it might be worth looking into.
Quote from: Jimini II on December 31, 2021, 11:57:31 AM
Just a thought Michael some States let law enforcement do vehicle vin number inspections and sign off, i don't know if Texas is one of them though but it might be worth looking into.
In Texas it is law enforcement that does the actual inspections. In the jurisdictions that have an "auto crimes" unit, it is done by officers in that unit by appointments scheduled through the local DMV office. In smaller or rural jurisdictions, it is done through the Sheriff's office. Bexar county/San Antonio is a large city (with several small municipalities encapsulated within), so done through the "auto crimes"/DMV joint arrangement. All the small municipalities defer to Bexar country/San Antonio.
Bureaucracy sucks in this case.
Quote from: MPlayle on December 31, 2021, 02:06:41 PM
Bureaucracy sucks in this case.
Bureaucracy sucks in EVERY case.
(I fixed it for you ;D ).
Michael, In one of the earlier posts you mentioned the "RSP test mule" as being on their site and is VIN 001, I'd like to know more about what they are claiming to have, because what you said doesn't correspond with what they actually did at the Rover factory. At the Mini 30 IMM, John Cooper's stand was drawing more attention and sales than the Rover factory stand. JC was selling his John Cooper Conversion Kits and converted cars. Rover execs decided they would reintroduce the Mini Cooper. A Flame Red car was given the special VIN which contains the "BAD" letters instead of the "BBD" letters that were in the normal sequence. That car had a consecutive number that coinsided with the cars on the line. That car carried the VIN: SAXXNNAMBAD469664. It was removed and taken to the Special Products division and became the test mule for the RSP. It Got the wheels and interior from the Mini30 and a 1275 from a Metro. That car was developed under the purview and guidance of Alistair Vines who was in charge of the Mini production for Rover. That car ultimately ended up in his ownership and is well documented as what it is. Besides that, Alistair was a friend of mine at the time and I am very familiar with this car and some of the differences from the 1650 RSPs that ran in sequence from SAXXNNAMBAD010001 to SAXXNNAMBAD011650. FWIW, the first production RSP #001 was given to Russ Swift and the roof was cut off so he could wave at the crowd when he did the two-wheeled stunt driving for Rover. That car is red as well.