Description
Austin Mini for sale
This very attractive looking and driving Mini is a 1973 Mk3 model, with “backdated” Mk1 looks.
The car has been with the seller since 2018, and has been used very often. It has been upgraded to be a very suitable car for regularity rallies, in which it has been a great and very reliable car.
The known history of the car does not go back very long. A restoration has been completed in 2015 by “Garage de Valk” in Schoten. Sadly, there are no files of this. The owner of the garage restored it as a personal hobby car, with the goal of keeping it for himself but ended up selling it to a good friend of his.
The goal of keeping it for himself, shows in the great level of detail and choices that were made in the restoration.
Firstly, a very punchy 1275cc engine was placed coming from an Austin 1300 (title still is 850cc, but never had any problems with that, even in notoriously strict Belgium). This engine bloc was paired with a Cooper spec cylinder head, and twin SU carburettors. An additional oil cooler was added as well.
The suspension was upgraded with HiLo suspension, which make the car very versatile now (lower for fast road use, higher for regularity work, …). Front disc brakes were added, with minilite (look) wheels. All break lines also run in the interior.
An central exhaust was placed, which produces a sporty, yet stylish and not over the top sound.
The interior sports a Mk1 look open dashboard, bucket seats, a dished sports steering wheel (flat one comes with it), normal belts as well as harnesses, and a full roll cage (tough only the rear part is installed right now, because of Belgian laws).
Cosmetically, the car was repainted in a great 2 tone grey with old English white combination, a MK1 style front grille, bumpers, booth lid and rear lights were added. As the new wheels are a slight bit wider than standard, the car sports arch extensions, adding sportiness to the looks;
Between 2015 and 2018, the car was part of a 10+ car collection (mostly Porsche) of a great enthusiast, but only covered appr. 500kms.
In 2018, the car was bought by the current owner. This current owner equipped the car with a Brantz tripmaster, competition grade skid plate, original Cibie Oscar auxiliary lights, … The car has sort of a rally look now, but everything has been installed with the possibility to uninstall it without damage.
The car has received a oil change at least yearly (or earlier).
Other works are (non exclusive):
2019: cylinder head revision + new clutch system + CSI ignition
2021: new brake master cylinder
2022: rear drum brake revision (total system)
2023: Front wheel bearings & new clutch kit after technical breakdown, electrical windscreen washers, new wipers.
2024: carb tune up, new air filters, rear brake cilinders replaced, speedometer cable replaced
Recent Belgian car control (06/ 2024) showed no major remarks.
All major works on the car since 2018 have been conducted by well known specialist Garage Descamps. Small works were done at Garage Callens and at Classic Legends.
The car is now ready to go to a new owner, who hopefully wishes to use it a lot! It’s a real joy to drive, and 100% ready to be taken to nice regularity or recreational rally’s! A real sensational go-kart toy, 100% smiles and excitement guaranteed, at a really affordable price!
The Mini has become a well known car in the Belgian navigation and regularity rally scene, with some nice results in the past, including a podium finish in the 2024 Trimard Marathon rally.
As the car was quite stripped out, don’t expect a highway comfort car. It is most at home on twisty B-roads, and small country roads, where it loves to be thrown from one corner to another!
If the car stays in Belgium, another great plus is its age, as it has only to go to the mandatory control every 5 years.
The car comes with Belgian title, COC, all necessary attestations, … Getting it on the road in any EU country should be no hassle at all.
The car can be seen and test driven in Waregem, BE.
