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 Posted: May 14, 2017 07:24PM
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I'm with you..very nice cheque book rebuild... a great bench racer..

The front end looks OK, the scalloped lower valence corners happened late 63ish AFAIK.  Seems a bit of an oversight to only back out some of the panels behind the grill though.... 

I wonder what second class air freight looks like

Cheers, Ian

 Posted: May 14, 2017 02:08PM
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I suspect that a mini getting air freighted around the world is being done for a customer who cares more for who has the most experience/expertise and less for the "who can do this work for me more cheaply".

Here's my question:  isn't it weird that they would spend that much but fail to modify the front valence to look like a MkI?  Sure, the American customer mightn't have had a clue either way, but the shop in UK that would sort of seem like something you just automatically do, when fitting a mustache grille surround.  Maybe since the rear window was also going to be "too wide" they decided not to bother making the front valence shape change.




N

 Posted: May 14, 2017 06:19AM
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US
Image Gallery

Just as an example, on the last issue of Mini Magazine they feature a restored South-African MKI. Just by reading about he amount of work, and who the builder is, I would assume that it is pricey rebuilt.
The interesting thing is that it was commissioned by a US customer, restored in the UK and shipped by plane. The color looks 'suspiciously' similar to our Tar Heel Blue (UNC Chapel Hill colors)....

I am just curious, is it cheaper to do this kind of work in the UK or the US? I know that parts are easier to get hold of in the UK but.....,
cheers,

Abel

 Posted: May 8, 2017 06:40AM
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$14k for a new shell is a good deal- The new Mustang shells go for a bit more than that and usually don't include the front clip. As for rebuilding an original shell, mine has rust holes in every panel, including at least one they don't make. So a new Mk1 shell is the best restoration option I have.

 Posted: May 8, 2017 03:58AM
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Al, I have been rebuilding a mid 80 s Mayfair. It has been one of those rebuild everything mechanical jobs. Rebuilt engine complete with lead free cyl. head update. Rebuilt the tranny with almost all new parts. Replaced a broken front sub frame and added new adjustable suspension and brake parts. New set of tires, battery and cleaned out tank with new sender. A small rust repair and seat covers would complete the car very nicely. Rebuild and replace has run about $7000. recently. It puts a 85 /86 998 Mayfair in the $15000, 16000 range before repairing the rust or interior. I know a nice interior will sell a car that don't run. If we have to keep it and drive it that will be OK as well. 

Rebuilding a 59/60 850 engine using NOS parts and updating to diaphragm  clutch adding two part Cooper S balancer and lead free cyl. head upgrade. Required a later 850 crank and primary. All in it will be about $3000. When you figure in a 4 synchro magic wand converted tranny total power unit will push $5000. Clearly not for the weak of heart. I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to want to do this. Steve (CTR)

 Posted: May 7, 2017 02:16PM
 Edited:  May 7, 2017 02:17PM
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Don't forget Binky from our friends a Bad Obsession Motorsports.  That was downright shocking on how much rot it had.  (Not a Mk 1, I know.)

 Posted: May 7, 2017 08:33AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldminimover49
When posting this, l was assuming the rot box was well beyond repair, so the only alternative was to go Heritage shell

Big AL


I don't think anything is beyond repair. Look at the web site theminiforum.co.uk under the subject saloons. The rebuild the worst rotboxes.

 Posted: May 7, 2017 06:15AM
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So, l have to assume that the answer would be, any pristine MK 1 offered for sale in the $20k range would be a good buy

Big AL

[email protected]

Niagara Ontario Canada

 Posted: May 6, 2017 04:19AM
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Way more than 99 % of the people would consider. In 2000 give or take I built a mini from a bare shell right here posting two pictures a day and talking about the project. I got the new shell, half leather, 7.5 s, twin tanks, sound deadening, rhino liner undercoat, had to cheap out and install a freshened 998 with 87,000 miles on it. I was in that at $18,500. and I did all the work. While not a mk 1 what it takes to make a mini hasn't changed much. The last heritage shell I bought required $5500. for paint and body with a donor door for gap adjusting after paying $10,000 all in at the shop. The new shells also use the later front sub frame. they are not accepted for racing over there. Steve (CTR)

 Posted: May 5, 2017 06:25PM
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maj4779.. thanks for the correction. my friend in hot Atlanta has just bought two of these Jag shells..  they are stunning..  later bc

 Posted: May 5, 2017 05:21PM
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You got me curious Bill.  It is Beacham.  What gorgeous shells, Dad said his first lottery car was going to be a MK II.

 Posted: May 5, 2017 09:50AM
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minimike.. I did NOT think about the new tooling?/ but you would  think would be about same as the other classic mini shells??  did you see beechman in NZ is making new Jag XKE shells now??  later bc

 Posted: May 5, 2017 08:33AM
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Bill, they're charging for the tooling, set up, and capitalizing on the fact that they were not available previously. 


They make the market.  It they don't sell enough, the price will probably drop a bit.

 Posted: May 5, 2017 08:21AM
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mini mover.. just looked at the price of the new classic mini shells  MK IVs on the BMHT site.. www.bmh-ltd.com and they are only 7750 quid.. about $10.. why are the MK1 so much more?? what am I missing?? later bc

 Posted: May 5, 2017 08:01AM
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The shells are nice. For that kind of coin you'd think it would be exact. The rear window opening is for the larger later window not the smaller Mk1. I'd love one. The rotodip hole is absent from the rear seat upright also. Things like this could be grafted from a donor car.

 Posted: May 5, 2017 07:04AM
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If I was doing it for customer? Prep. and paint on the shell would be Min. $8000 Then assuming you could just swap everything over with out any other work $5000 but thats not likely is it? I'd  put a rough estimate of another $5000 in refurb. work. So you'd be in it for $32,000! not bad really........................

Mini's are like buses they come along in a bunch

 Posted: May 5, 2017 06:46AM
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CA
When posting this, l was assuming the rot box was well beyond repair, so the only alternative was to go Heritage shell

Big AL

[email protected]

Niagara Ontario Canada

 Posted: May 5, 2017 06:41AM
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What does it cost to get the rotbox fixed?

 Posted: May 5, 2017 06:37AM
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I see our host is offering a new Heritage MK 1 shell for $14K U S

So if your present MK 1 has turned out to be a rot box, this is your answer

So if you bite the bullet, purchase the new shell and start the swap what would it cost you in total after new paint to put this on the road ??????

Any estimates ??

Big AL

[email protected]

Niagara Ontario Canada