Irish Mini Owners Club

Hi Folks,
I'm new to Mini's & cars in general, always been a motorbike man (Hence the name).
Finally decided after hitting 30 I should learn to drive & not wanting the same box's as everyone else, I got myself a Mini (also thought I'd get some decedent insurance on one, yeah right, most wouldnt either touch me or the car)
I dont know a whole lot about her (apologies for the questions to follow ), all I can tell you is she's a '97 jap import (can't read the manual & cant tell you the exact model) 1275cc
Doesnt need too much, new head liner (not too bad), clock section of dash laminate is peeling, a legible manual & me learning how to drive one of these 4 wheel things lol which I'm looking forward to, especially w/something so fun.

Welcome Phil. Good luck with new car

Congrats on your first car and first Mini dude! Closest thing you'll get to a bike on four wheels! You'll learn quick enough! Best of luck

And, welcome to the forum!

welcome phil. you've chosen well

Hi Phil and welcome to the forum.

Your exact model should be listed on your V5 but I don't think it's a Cooper as the bonnet stripes are in the wrong place.
Jap import means free air conditioner and the peeling lacquer is a common problem, your only option is to redo it replace.
The car manual's you will pick up on ebay fairly cheaply.

Any other interesting parts fitted ? the Japanese are great for individualising their Mini's.

Cheers lads, wont be giving up the bikes, but I gotta say shes a lot of fun
The guy I bought her from done a bit of a tidy up, new carpets, mirrors (gave me the originals too) & resprayed the front 1/4 panel & bonnet, so thats why the stripes are in the wrong spot, he thought they looked better there than on the edge of the bonnet.
Shes got the AC alright, takes up a fair bit of space under the passenger side dash, but Im sure it'll be worth it in the summer, if we get one.
Nothing else done to her really, I'm gona hook the lights up (maybe get a different set, like the ones reset into the grill, new dash, center console & just tidy her up for now. I have a problem when it comes to changing stuff, none of the bikes are anyway stock & I'm already looking @ the Mini in the same way. Althou shes very clean so dont want to mess too much
Picked up a Hynes to get started, so I can start @ her

You may have a problem with the lights in the grill, you have 2 radiators behind that.

The Marcos Graveyard wrote:You may have a problem with the lights in the grill, you have 2 radiators behind that.

Good point, so I like the lights as is & wouldnt change them other style I like, I seen on one of the lads avatars, the 3 lights in a surrounded by a ram bar style But thats all down the line.

Europen Minis were single point injection up to '96 and then the engine had a major makeover to multipoint injection in'97. Jap cars changed to the multipoint engine in '97 but kept the single point injection system, not sure if thats covered in the Haynes manuals.

Happy driving with your Mini.Best thing about the Jap Minis is they did not rust nearly as bad as the UK or Irish ones so before it takes hold make sure there is plenty of Waxoyl pumped into all the cavities.Much cheaper and easier than fixing rust.

Yeah shes rust free @ the moment, so be a good thing to keep her that way.
I'm still flicking thru the Hynes, great books, but they miss out on alot. Must check which motor is in there, weather hasnt been good enuf for a proper look yet

nice car phil!! very similar to mine!

I hope you've got deep pockets

Buddy wrote:nice car phil!! very similar to mine!

I hope you've got deep pockets

Starting to realise that. Was always a car is just a car (well, to an extent) & that the bikes are the only things Id be spending time on, all until I picked up a Mini this time last week

well you do know what mini stands for don't you?

m = money
i = is
n = not
i = important

Welcome along Phil , nice motor ware well .By the way I made that light bar, alloy tube bent welded and powder coated .I made two and sold the other one to one of the lads on here

Looks very well man, definitely something to think about. But down the line I guess. Should really lean to drive properly before I start modifying besides I got 2 bike projects in the shed to get on with

Aah! one is never enough is it dito

Had 5 up until a month back (4now) starting to worry that Mini's have the same effect, especially looking @ the lists under everyones names

Yea it can get a bit like that alright

Lovely Mini mate. Welcome to the mini world!

Get along to some shows this year.

Well I'm back to work in a week & a half & wont be back for 3-4 months. hopefully get driving properly then & I'll try go to a meet or two then

Good luck with the car. Looks nice and tidy!