Hillman Minx Enquiry

[4PLAYN]

I am contempting on selling my VN Berlina and buying up a Hillman Minx and restoring it to all original. The car i have seen online seems to be in reasonable conditiona and not much rust at all. The reason why i intend to do this is to learn more about cars, utilise the free paintjob i have lined up for any car and also have a small 4 cylender classic car to drive to work and home each day while saving up for the car i want.

It seems to have most to all parts that are needed for the full restoration (chrome strips, all engine parts, bumpers, grilles, wheels), but from the pictures it seems to need a paint job, new front seat and most probably all window seals and door seals done.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1960s-Hillman...QQcmdZViewItem

Looking at this ebay advertisment it seems to also have a seized engine. Knowing that the Hillman Minx's are sort of rare for parts in Australia. I am guessing i need to import from the UK.

What would be the pro's and cons of having this car in the shed sanding it back and restoring (cleaning it up) so it can be rego'd and driven dayly.

Any ideas or websites i could go to for advice on the Hillman Minx's?

Hope one of you could lend a hand or guidance in this area.

Adam.

[Shortstuff]

See if you can find an issue of Practical Classics. A few newsagents here get it in. They may have listings for clubs that could help you out with sourcing parts for the restoration and offer advice to you.

One thing that you may find is getting hold of parts could be a problem if you're going to drive it every day. It would be a real bugger if you have to wait 4 weeks for a part you need urgently to arrive from the UK, and the car won't run without that part.

You may also want to consider the level of maintenance required to keep a car of that age running well, compared to a newer car.

I would go for it anyway. It's something very different. I don't think there are even that many left on the road in the UK now!

[Daza]

If this is your first classic rebuild, I would recommend trying to get one that has everything in place. It's the little parts that may seem incidental that make the difference when finished. Murphy's law always makes those small missing parts hard or expensive to obtain. I have spent hours making stupid little things like clips because they weren't available. It also helps with putting it back together as you will have some idea how it came apart.

Something to consider with a car thats 40 odd years old is how it will perform in todays traffic? Have a close look at one thats going even go for a ride in one to see if this is the experience your after. Of course you can upgrade things but this all adds up.

Try to get some prices for the things you know you will need before you buy the car, things like door seals and Bailey channels can be expensive. If available the set of rubbers would probably add up to around $800 -1200. Engine re-con min $1200, Interior $1200, brakes $500 if you can get the bits. Parts alone it will probably set you back $5000 being conservative. Shortstuff hit the nail on the head regarding spares and maintenance. Waiting for stuff like fuel pump kits and gaskets will be mandatory.

By no means am I saying don't do it but you need to know whats involved before you start. Sometimes a more complete / better condition car may cost 100's more but will save 1000's in the end.

If you are chasing more info I can give you a few suppliers and links but I don't have these at hand at the moment. PM me.

Cheers
Daza

[4PLAYN]

I dont intend on modifying it to get great power out of it, i intend to take it back to what it was like when it came out from the show room. rebuilding the engine i can do at work, will save me 100's in labour and it will be done properly with the help of my boss. The rust that is in the lower doors and under the grille can be treated and repaired at work and the interior can be either re-upholstered or seen to another seat.

I have also had another good offer that i might take up. Buying my brothers Mini Cooper S and restoring that, he only wants 1000 for it as he has now lost interest in the project and in mini's all together.

Mini's are alot more common but the Cooper S is starting to get rare. There are also a few places around that can cater for all of my parts needs like "Brickworx Racing" "Quik Brick Auto" and "Mini Mania".

Cheers

Adam

[4PLAYN]

Pictures of my brothers Mini, and also keeping in mind i am 6 foot 1 inches :P

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/1a6/...90d378a58d.jpg

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/93f/...e2af6d3cab.jpg

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/60c/...f0fe85a16c.jpg

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/b89/...6f9862266e.jpg

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/7cf/...b5d1658962.jpg

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/ce8/...96150f2be1.jpg

So yeah, both are in good condition for their age and both have some cons, but both are repairable.

Tell me what ya's think

Adam

[nomad]

I'd go for the Mini. Mainly because parts are easier to obtain & when bought back to it's former glory, will be worth a lot more than the Hillman. Plus it will be more fun to drive. Also that's a bloody good price for the Mini & shouldn't be passed up.

[CALAIS 6]

Adam if ur gonna get soemthing like thise why not a Mini Moke there wiked cheap to run and as its a mini ute can be very usefull and easy to modify

[4PLAYN]

Find one of the Moke's in the trader Darren :P haha .... i found 0 .... this week and last week (just searched).

I might go for the Mini actually, its got no rust, seems to be all straight and plus all i have to do is replace the drivers side tank that my brother took out and she is all good for a paint job.

I got minilites i might buff up smooth and get them powder coated silver, spray the car black and go with the typical twin stripes. Am thinking either orange (ford colour) or a nice gold. Once completed i will drive around for a while and see from there what will happen. I might have enough money saved away to buy the car i want or a better car than i will have at that stage.

Adam.

[1991_Vn2nV]

Yeah the mini is the better pick of the two for a rebuild imo....

But still I think you could find something better...

[Troy711]

go the mini... they are beasts of cars

[Tree cutter]

Go for the mini. If its a genuine cooper S it should be worth more money done up than the minx would be. The mini has got a fair bit of room inside for a small car.

[4PLAYN]

The mini it is. Will see about obtaining it from my brother this saturday, in the middle of everything else.

Will get new pictures soon (and get the keys off my brother aswell might help :P)

So far i know it needs new ignition barrel, new alternator, major service and tune .... taking it to the professionals for the tune .... damn SU's ...

[Daza]

Great choice.
Good luck with the resto.