20 November 2012
Was at the gym the other night and came out to find one of these parked nearby... just wanted it so badly! Among all the amourphous blob hatchbacks and saloons, it stood out like shining gem - just looked like a 'real' competition car. Wonder if it was 1380, of a 1430!? For Saturday afternoon, a million times better than a new JCW, I reckon... (and for about 1/4 of the cost)
6 November 2007
I learnt to drive in a Mini. I have no misty-eyed fondness for it, as good as the Cooper looks.
If I knew what I was getting into, I wouldn't have done it...and I would have been wrong.
20 May 2012
As an excersize in packaging it was, and still is to this day, a winner. Road holding was nothing short of hillarious, parking a doddle, BUT the downsides went with the industry at that time. Shoddy workmanship, trim hardly ever attached, God awful suspension (bone breaker), and interior trim (mainly roof lining) that needed lots of bostik to keep in place. Add to that a tendency for oil leaks, blown head gaskets and water onto the plugs in the rain bringing you to a sudden and annoying stop and stranding in the middle of nowhere. A gear change which felt like a peice of string and brakes which faded faster than a holiday suntan, BUT it was still a glorious bundle of fun and it was such a joy to behold.
what's life without imagination
8 November 2007
Also the noise in the cabin was extremely high by today's standards. Very raised voices to hold a conversation at 60mph.
17 November 2009
Also the noise in the cabin was extremely high by today's standards. Very raised voices to hold a conversation at 60mph.
Yes, yes... I know... I know... but it was good. In a way. The compromise, kind of made it feel special.
I remember many many years ago being in a very modified one - uncomfortable as heck, noisy, wouldn't pull under 2000rpm, but sweet geezus, did it go from then to 7k and... corners!? - it was like they didn't exist! Likely the memory is better than the reality... just couldn't help fancying one...
17 July 2009
Friends of mine, two sisters, own one each and are in the Mini owners clubs and do all the classic car meets in the summer. Great little things and I completely get why you'd want one. Personally though I'd sooner have an MG Midget if I was going for a small cheap old classic. Probably nowhere near as good to drive fast though.
19 December 2008
dont knock the Midget. If you ever get a chance to drive one, go for it! Wonderful direct unassisted steering, so light and pointy, driftable too. Not fast by todays standards, but a 1275 is quick enough. And then there are those K series conversions too!
6 September 2011
Never liked BMC/BLMC products.
Porbably stems from being scared sh*tless aged 17 in a Mini that had a footwell that flexed at any speed over 40 and a Minor that turned sharp left when the brakes were applied at any speed over 50!
Give me a fast Ford any day!
17 November 2009
Well, indeed, I would say no...
8 April 2010
Coincidently I am currently in the market for a old,tattered mini as a project for something to do on the cold winter nights. I also remember going out in a 1430 when I was young and it went like stink. I considered putting a VTEC engine in it (I was going to start a thread on experiences of this when i finally found one) but it seems it really is a big and expensive job so I'll be sticking with a bored out 1275.
I love the way they drive and how they used to make me feel. I hope when I do get one that it isn't going to be a case of best memeries left in the past...
17 November 2009
Coincidently I am currently in the market for a old,tattered mini as a project for something to do on the cold winter nights.
Great idea, and it will be cheaper than an RS1800 - Venician Red or otherwise! (an RS Owners Club joke...!)
As I recall from many years of soaking up Tuning BLs A-Series by Vizard, the 1380 was the way to go in terms of BHP / £ - bigger capacities didn't rev (comparativley) as well.
Do Avonbar still make engines and bits? I remember that an Iskandarian Valve Train was the the ultimate!