The original mini cooper

[JeremyB]

I posted this on mirafiori, and thought I'd throw it here too. Does anyone have any experience witht hese cars? Im trying to get an idea of what I want for my next toy. It'll bve a whil ebefore I buy. So in the mean time I'm tryign to narrow down the list. So far it is the Alfa Alfetta/gtv, Mini cooper, Still open to a 70/71 BWM 3.o csi. Was intersted in a beta, scorpion, but dont think I would be happy with them long term. I want soemthing with a back seat.
So does anyone here have experience with a mini? They look easy as hell to work on. I guess I'll onc eagain deal with Lucas electrical components, and Amal carbs. Are they as fun to drive as they look? They look like little hooligan cars. What are soem issues with tem?

[Spiddy]

Jeremy, so long as you're no taller than 6ft or built like the Mr Michelin Man, you will love the Min. If you can get an original Cooper, or better still, a Cooper S, then I guarantee laughs by the bucket full. They really are simple and basic to work on, and the tuning options seem endless.

The original design models (either Austin or Morris) are the ones to go for. Like all cars of their day, they rust, and being a monocoque design too much of the metal cancer is fatal. The sub frames can rot out, and if they are not aligned correctly after removal the handling gets dodgy and you'll get through tires at an alarming rate. So when looking to buy, just ask the vendor to drive along with you following, and look to see if the car "crabs".

And of course, washing the car is a sinch - just dunk it in the bucket

[Curly]

Jeremy, you'll love a Mini, especially the Cooper S. I've had mine since 1973 It got me into motorsport and continues to be used in all sorts of 'Historic' events, but mainly hillclimbs nowadays.

They aren't difficult to work on, but you do require some special bent spanners and tools such as a flywheel puller. Parts are readily available, the bodies don't suffer from rust as much as our beloved Fiats and if you can cope with Fiat electrics the Lucas stuff will be cinch .
By the way, they used SU carbs, not Amals. A popular performance mod is to a sidedraft DCOE Weber.
Your 'Hooligan car' desciption is quite apt.

[JeremyB]

I think I would equate the mini cooper to the Triumph speed triple on the hooligan scale. Loads of fun, quite unique.
Im not familiar with SU carbs. My brit carb experience involves old Triumphs and Nortons. I am a recent convert from Triumph motorcycles to Fiats. Not wild about potentially gettign back into the world of Lucas electrics. But hell, it doesnt seem to be that much differnt than marelli huh?
Does anyone here have any info on Dwight Varnes website? He told me to check out his site, but didnt give a link or anything.