00 Mini Cooper

[Baker]

Hi All

This is a picture of my mini not long after purchasing. Sorry about the quality and the angle of this image, the car also needed a good clean and polish at this time. The body work on the car is in amazing condition. Not one hint of rust anywhere and I’m going to try and keep it like this.

I have listed all of the work I have carried out on the vehicle to date. Please take a look and let me know what you think. I want to try and keep the car looking as original as possiable. Both pictures included are from before any changes were made

The changes are as follows:

Engine
Med Stage 3 cylinder head
Maniflow Manifold
Maniflow Link Pipe
Maniflow Exhaust System
K&N Air Filter
Fuel Pressure Regulator
4 NGK High Performance Spark Plugs
Battery Cut of Switch

Exterior
Chrome Washer Jets
Chrome Dummy Wiper Buttons
Back Window Wiper
Chrome Grill Buttons
Windscreen Chrome strip
Back Window Chrome Strip
4 X 12” Yokohama A539

Interior
Remote Central locking – (Favourite part/Mod)
Sony Xplod MP3 CD player`
Black mini leather steering wheel
Black Gear stick Gaitor
Black Handbrake Gaitor
Original Mk1 Gear Knob
Air Condition re-gassed
New Mini Sport Floor mats





What’s to follow ……….
-Bore out throttle body from 38mm to 44mm and fit new butterfly
-Re-spray roof and place new stripes on the bonnet

I’ll post some pictures when I have the wagon out again, cleaned and polished. That car gets better treatment that I do. It’s in a heated garage and only has about 10 or 12 outings over the year. What should/can I be doing to preserve the vehicle and keep it in pristine condition?

Any suggestions as to where I can go next or what changes I can make? ? ?

[DaveC]

Welcome to the Forum Baker.
The car looks excellent, keep up the good work!

[Billy]

Baker,

Welcome to the forum. We speak fluent Longfordese here as our president is based in Newtownforbes and there's a very strong IMOC crew in the area if you ever fancy a run up home.

Where in East Cork are you based?

Billy

[Baker]

Billy,

I’m living in the metropolis that is known as Rathcormac . I see by you’re profile you are only a stones throw away...

Seeing that you have overcame the Longfordese so easily you may guide me in the right direction with this Corkenese...5 years later and I'm still struggling

Up home I’m form a place called Ballymore – It’s just outside Granard in North Longford! You’ll have to let me know if yee are ever travelling up that way…

Pat

[Billy]

Pat,

Feel free to pop over the mountain some evening for a chat and see the Minis.

On your own car, you mentioned spraying the roof. Is it currently white or silver? If it's silver from new, then it's one of the last 500 or so and is worth more in the longterm if you were ever selling to leave it that way. I had someone from Galway with a similar car who asked me the same question recently. Personally I think the white roof looks better but the silver from the factory makes it more exclusive and shows that it was one of the last Minis built. If you want to see a perfect Cooper 500, there's one in Mallow with just 30 miles from new!!!!! It was bought in Top Car Cork and driven to Mallow once and it hasn't turned a wheel since.

You also mentioned air conditioning. Was it a Jap-spec Mini?

All the best,

Billy

[Baker]

Billy,

Jez, they are a different kind the far side of the mountain, I’m getting nervous at the thought of it . I’ll give you a pm and will maybe call over over sometime during the weekend. I’d love to see some of the cars that you have and I can get your opinion on mine…

The reason why I'm spraying the roof is because it has some small marks that I want to clean up. The actual colour of the roof is old English white and I plan to respray the same colour. I understand the exclusivity of the silver roof but I don’t want the car to be trying to be something it’s not… Keep it as original as possible

I admire your observation… Yes, I brought the car in from Japan so it’s has a very good spec! The mileage is 60K km. Also has the usual like air-con and what's quite common on imports, the Group 2 arches …

Watch this space for its big brother coming soon… The ERA is in transit....

[DaveC]

Can't wait to see the ERA - good lad

[kenno]

Hello Pat...

We meet again!!!

[Baker]

Kenno,

I have to say you've got me!!! I'll need more info than that!!!

P

[Billy]

Pat,

A good man to talk to on ERAs is Paul Kelly as he owns one (or is it 2 now?) and runs Minifix in Dublin. You can contact Paul at 087-2597085.

Billy

[minis24se7en]

Sweeet, ERAs are the business . you'll have great fun in that

[kerryminigringo]

Thats a lovely mini you,ve got there Pat.I much prefer the later minis on 12,s and they handle much better.It,s great to have a rust free car,put plenty of anti-corrosion cavity wax to keep it that way.One that has been recommended by Practical Classics Magazine is Bilt Hamber Dynax S50.You can order it on http://www.bilthamber.com Best of luck with the mini and hopefully I will see it in the future.