Restoration-Mini

General Discussion => The Lounge => Topic started by: 74mini1000 on June 27, 2017, 08:36:06 AM

Title: Questions about a 1974 Mini 1000 for sale
Post by: 74mini1000 on June 27, 2017, 08:36:06 AM
I stumbled upon a originally 1974 Canadian Mini 1000. Its odometer stopped working at 100,000. New brakes, suspension, and rebuilt motor in the last 3000 miles. some surface rust and the floor is rusted pretty bad. Drives nice, starts right up. Interior is in rough shape. He is asking $6000. Trying to figure out if that is a fair price for a rusty Mini.
Thanks for your help!
Title: Re: Questions about a 1974 Mini 1000 for sale
Post by: BruceK on June 27, 2017, 12:29:05 PM
Should I read anything into your username and the car you are asking about?   ;D   You didn't already buy it, did you? 

First off, welcome!!

Personally, I've owned a Canadian Mini (a 1979) and I'm not a big fan of the changes made for the Canadian market.  And rust issues are concerning.  There are lots of other Minis out there.   Granted, these are not in Wisconsin, but they may be better value for money than the one you are considering depending upon the rust issue you mentioned.   If you want one shipped, figure maybe $1000 or so:

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/6183979204.html

https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/ctd/6183883328.html

https://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/6151560600.html

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/6174824672.html

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/6178274502.html

https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/6157476584.html

https://lakecity.craigslist.org/cto/6193321429.html

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/6190196887.html

https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/6128400651.html

https://asheville.craigslist.org/cto/6152725668.html

https://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/6151773520.html

https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/6186817756.html

https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto/6136471510.html

https://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/6182575195.html

https://york.craigslist.org/cto/6171156179.html

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/6169617153.html


And there are a lot more than these.  I just looked for ones in roughly the $5K to $10K range.  And there are some Mk. I and Mk. II Minis in that list.


Title: Re: Questions about a 1974 Mini 1000 for sale
Post by: jedduh01 on June 27, 2017, 01:09:05 PM
NICE Search!   Shows really a great variety!

  What program do you use?

Local  - thought about it = needs SOME sorting to get back operational

https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/6128400651.html (https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/6128400651.html)
Title: Re: Questions about a 1974 Mini 1000 for sale
Post by: BruceK on June 27, 2017, 01:40:17 PM
I used SearchTempest.com    It is old but trustworthy and chews through the entire country's various Craigslist sites (if set up right) and eBay too. 
Title: Re: Questions about a 1974 Mini 1000 for sale
Post by: BruceK on June 27, 2017, 01:48:41 PM
I looked a little closer at the photos of this one and discovered several clues that it appears to be an Authi, the Spanish-built Mini.  Rarer than even an Innocenti Mini.   

Not clear why the seller doesn't mention it.



https://lakecity.craigslist.org/cto/6193321429.html

Note the markings on the speedo:

(https://images.craigslist.org/01717_eAADx4EbyJa_1200x900.jpg)
Title: Re: Questions about a 1974 Mini 1000 for sale
Post by: MiniDave on June 27, 2017, 02:04:24 PM
Doesn't mention it because he doesn't know what it is. I had never heard of an Authi till I was on this site.
Title: Re: Questions about a 1974 Mini 1000 for sale
Post by: gr8kornholio on June 27, 2017, 03:55:05 PM
Bruce, man, I really wish I'd met you on BaT before I got into a mini.  I'm glad I got mine, but I'm sure I would have gotten an even better deal or maybe even found my elusive clubman GT with your help.
Title: Re: Questions about a 1974 Mini 1000 for sale
Post by: BruceK on June 27, 2017, 03:58:46 PM
Thanks Mark.   You shoulda seen me about three years ago when I was looking at Minis for sale in the US and the UK at the same time.   That's when I finally decided on looking to just the UK.

Oh and I didn't provide links above to several Clubman models I found on Craigslist because they were a little more expensive. 
Title: Re: Questions about a 1974 Mini 1000 for sale
Post by: BruceK on June 27, 2017, 04:04:46 PM
Quote from: MiniDave on June 27, 2017, 02:04:24 PM
Doesn't mention it because he doesn't know what it is. I had never heard of an Authi till I was on this site.

Way back when I was a teenager and dinosaurs roamed the earth and there was no Internet, I devoured any book or magazine I could find that contained information about Minis and I soaked it all up.


I might even still remember some of it!   ;D
Title: Re: Questions about a 1974 Mini 1000 for sale
Post by: 74mini1000 on June 28, 2017, 06:36:57 AM
I guess I like the fact that I got to drive this one, and it started right up. In fact it started faster than my current daily!
Title: Re: Questions about a 1974 Mini 1000 for sale
Post by: 74mini1000 on June 28, 2017, 06:40:17 AM
(https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.northamericanmotoring.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/80-fullsizerender_0d27aa795c6686c754bebf81da188b9b6d9f9b0d.jpg)
(https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.northamericanmotoring.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/80-img_8783_jpg_20b4a44d876d4ec80b4b47673dbbca15b6b4117a.jpeg)
Title: Re: Questions about a 1974 Mini 1000 for sale
Post by: BruceK on June 29, 2017, 05:12:56 AM
Nice that it has had it's big Canadian-market bumpers removed and chrome ones installed.    The recent work to the brakes, suspension, and a rebuilt motor are all positives.   But the interior needed and body rust would concern me.   You could probably drive it as it is and have fun with it and sort of make it a rolling restoration project.   

So, are you going to buy it?

Title: Re: Questions about a 1974 Mini 1000 for sale
Post by: gr8kornholio on June 29, 2017, 06:16:06 AM
The look of the master cylinder area concerns me, they and the body are looking rough.
Title: Re: Questions about a 1974 Mini 1000 for sale
Post by: 74mini1000 on June 29, 2017, 06:37:27 AM
I am trying to get him down in price. If he will get down to $5000 I will probably buy it and make it a "rolling restoration" I have access to a welder and I'm willing to learn! The rust by the master cylinder concerns me as well. I drive past it every day on my way to and from work and every time I wish I was driving the MINI instead!!!
Thanks everybody!
Title: Re: Questions about a 1974 Mini 1000 for sale
Post by: gr8kornholio on June 29, 2017, 10:03:08 AM
Quote from: 74mini1000 on June 29, 2017, 06:37:27 AM
I drive past it every day on my way to and from work and every time I wish I was driving the MINI instead!!!

Sounds about right. 
Title: Re: Questions about a 1974 Mini 1000 for sale
Post by: MiniDave on June 29, 2017, 10:18:33 AM
While we all share your feelings about driving our Minis, not knowing your skill level or depth of your tool box, learning to weld on a rusty Mini is fraught with peril, I think I'd rather see you find a solid car and learn how to wrench on it instead of a rust bucket. Remember, cars rust from the inside out, what you see is usually only the tip of the iceberg........you're not just cutting out and replacing metal, it has to be seam sealed, primed properly and painted too. You can spend a LOT of money these days getting metal and paintwork done.

I spent 4 years restoring an old Jag, every piece of rusty metal I cut out led me to three more........
Title: Re: Questions about a 1974 Mini 1000 for sale
Post by: 74mini1000 on June 29, 2017, 10:49:55 AM
I am 25 years old, I have owned 6 SAABs in the last 9 years. Swapped the motor on two, built the motor on one. My cars have never been to a shop no matter the job. I take pride in learning how to do things that I have never done before. I have a deep toolbox, a lift, and time.
Title: Re: Questions about a 1974 Mini 1000 for sale
Post by: MiniDave on June 29, 2017, 11:30:05 AM
That makes a big difference!  4.gif

Everybody has a SAAB story.......

;D