Find or Sell Used Cars, Trucks, and SUVs in USA

1970 Classic Mini Turbo 1275cc Manual Rhd on 2040-cars

US $14,000.00
Year:1970 Mileage:0 Color: /interior
Location:

I bought this car in 2008 with 93,500 miles on the odometer, it currently reads 103,000 miles.  We recently had our first child and mini is the least practical vehicle to drive for many reasons.

What you need to know:
1.  The engine/transmission had been replaced and upgraded to the MG Metro A+ Turbo engine by the previous owner at a significant cost.  Mileage on the engine is unknown.
2.  Inspections and test drives are available and encouraged to avoid any surprises.
3.  I am a hobbyist and enthusiast. This car has been carefully maintained and used very sparingly and infrequently.  
4.  I am 5'8", 150lbs and fit in the car with plenty of room to spare. I have met 6'1" mini owners that are able to fit as well. I would say the general guideline is if you are above the 220lb range, you're may not be comfortable in this car.
5.  You don't need to have any mechanical interest or ability. New parts are cheap and easily available from the many online retailers in the US and the UK.
6.  Insurance will be ridiculously cheap. My classic car insurance is approximately $400 per year with full coverage.

The good:
1. Starts every time, has never left me on the side of the road.
2. Surprisingly fast, quirky and a great conversation starter.
3. Carefully maintained with pride over the past 6 years.  Strong engine, no grinds or surprises with the transmission.

The bad:
1. Drips oil from the transmission seal due to the synthetic oil. I use synthetic oil for the superior engine protection.
2. There is an exhaust leak at the turbo down pipe.
3. Rust is starting to come up through the paint in the rear bumper/valence. No holes in the floors or rust in the trunk though!
4. 2 noticeable dents. One on the driver's door, the other on the roof.
5. Sagging driver's door.  Will need a new door hinge.

Key specs:
1275cc T3 turbo, 10psi with water/meth injection.
93whp and 115 ft-lb tq at 3900rpm. 4 speed transmission.
The car weighs approximately 1300lbs
Right hand drive, 2 door, can seat 5

Mechanics (Performance):
1275cc A+ series MG Metro Turbo engine swapped into the mini.
Stock metro T3 turbo, .25 AR.
Mallory Hyfire 6AL - Multiple spark unit with rev limiter
MSD Boost Timing Master (BTM) - More precise ignition control under boost with in-cabin adjustment
AEM water/meth progressive water/meth injection kit. 50/50 methanol water mix.
2" turbo downpipe, 2" mid-pipe, 2" cherry bomb resonator and stainless dual tip center DTM (Down The Middle) exhaust.
Turbo blanket, ceramic coated turbo "elbow" and ceramic coated downpipe
Electric fan conversion and 4 core radiator for hot climates
Oil pressure adjuster
Short shifter
Modified intake plenum with Forge blow off valve

Suspension & Brakes:
Recently rebuilt Metro turbo 4 piston brake calipers
Upgraded KYB sport shocks
S-racer adjustable rear sway bar
13" minilite wheels with polished lip

Electronics:
AEM wideband O2 sensor
Sunpro boost, oil pressure and tachometer
Turbo timer
Polk 8" subwoofer, rockford 6x9 rear deck and 6.5" door speakers
Alpine 4channel amplifier and dedicated Rockford 2 channel amplifier for subwoofer
Clarion bluetooth receiver with USB and Aux input
Custom converted generator to alternator

Exterior/interior:
Repainted in the last 15 years.
De-seamed body (no roof, trunk or front end body seams)
Fiberglass front end (deletes front fenders, bumpers, hood and sub-structure)
Deleted bumpers
Molded wheel arches and sideskirts
HID projector headlights
Custom tinted LED rear lights (turn signal, running light and brake light)
Upgraded leakproof front and rear windshield rubber moldings
Recently (in the last 15 years) refinished interior with matching front and rear seats.
12" steering wheel with a drop down bracket.

Major Maintenance:
4,000 miles ago:
Head, Intake and exhaust manifold gaskets replaced 
brake master and slave cylinders replaced 
Clutch (along with main seal) replaced
Heater core fixed (this car does not have AC)

8,000 miles ago:
Radiator, shocks, brake pistons, door locks, battery.

Buying & Shipping:
The buyer is responsible for all fees associated with shipping and delivery of the car.  Although there is some flexibility, the car should be picked up within 14 days of the auction end.  I will do my best to work with you, your shipping company and customs.

Auto blog

Mini Art Beat is a loud, driving social media billboard

Sat, 10 Aug 2013


Video billboards are nothing new, but a video on a moving car that's blaring music? Now that's something that will catch your attention - especially if you're driving alongside it in the streets of London.
That's the exact intent of Mini's new Art Beat, a Cooper Countryman turned marketing device that is custom-fitted with a staggering 48,000 LEDs. On its nightly drives through the city, the compact crossover showcases brightly colored videos, graphics and animations contributed by people around the world via social media. The Mini Space Blog describes the Art Beat as the "most vibrant and customizable NOT NORMAL ride you'll ever lay eyes on."

Judge to approve settlement of Mini CVT lawsuits

Sun, 25 Aug 2013

BMW has agreed to settle a number of class-action lawsuits out of court. The suits stem from drivetrain issues on the 2001 to 2006 R50 Mini Cooper - in particular, its continuously variable transmission. The transmission was known to fail, often without warning on otherwise healthy and well-maintained vehicles. This wasn't the only major issue to afflict the original BMW-era Mini models.
According to legal site Topclassactions.com, the suits alleged that BMW knowingly hid the defects in the CVT from customers while informing dealers of the issue. The first suit was filed in 2011, while four additional suits have followed. Now, BMW has reportedly settled, offering to reimburse 1,200 owners that needed repairs within eight years or 150,000 miles of their purchase. Repair prices for the transmission range from $6,000 to $9,000.
Under the agreement, BMW will also offer up to $4,100 to members of the suit that had fixes performed at a third-party shop, while owners who sold their cars at a loss due to the issues are slated to receive up to $2,000. Finally, owners who are part of the suit will be warrantied for a further eight years and 150,000 miles.

Mini stretches out with new Hardtop 4 door [w/video] [UPDATE]

Thu, 05 Jun 2014

UPDATE: Information on US availability, specification and nomenclature added to the updated text below.
Few automakers have managed to spin off as many variants of essentially one vehicle as Mini has. The second generation produced even more versions than the first, and now that the third generation is upon us, the process is starting all over again. The jury may still be out on whether parent company BMW will roll out as many body-styles of this latest Mini as it did with the last, but here's our first indication.
Following the introduction of the new three-door Mini hatchback at the LA Auto Show, the Anglo-Saxon marque has introduced a new five-door model. Or four-door, depending on which Mini office you're speaking to: while this new model - an addition to the lineup and not a direct replacement for anything previously offered - is called the Mini 5 door by the factory, here in the US it's called the Mini Hardtop 4 door. Whatever you call it, though, this new Mini is essentially the same as the three-door model (or two-door model with a tailgate), only with - you guessed it - two extra doors. The new Clubman will be a separate model altogether.