Description
1973 Leyland mini 1000.
This is my extensively restored mini 1000.
I have put over £25k into this restoration and have the all receipts. Not sure on the final figure as frankly I stopped counting at about 27k. I am aware it's an obscene amount to put into an early mark 3 but I have thoroughly enjoyed building it and especially driving it. I very much doubt you will find one restored to this quality with all the extras on for this money. The panel and paint bill wasn't far off the asking. I have over 100 pictures documenting the build which I will happily forward to any one interested. Financial circumstances unfortunately means I have to reluctantly part with it. It has not been to any of the mini shows or out on the road much so new to the scene.
The subframes were shot blast and powder coated. I will try and cover most of the build below.
I am fortunate enough to live down the road from the very reputable mini restorer Colin Davies. He has put in over 300 hours of panel beating and paint booth time to present to you the car you see today. He is one of the best in the business and the panel gaps and lines on the car are better than it would have come out of the factory. He has beefed up the parts on the car that are prone to rot and heavy use. I. e door hinges, jacking points and cavity waxed every part of the build and undersealed it to match. It has just come back from the valeters and has a 5 year ceramic coating applied to keep that paint fresh and protected.
I am the 3rd owner of this car. The original owner worked at the Leyland factory and built the car himself off the factory line with the best bits or parts that caught his eye from what I can gather. There are a few trick bits and question marks over the car's history. It's built on an auto shell as it was deemed stronger, had a copper head and front brakes to name a few. It was interesting to research the car's history. Unfortunately the heritage center said records over the 70’s are not very well documented and has no records of this so I can only go by the stories I have heard.
Rear subframe:
Hell Braided brake lines. Adjustable rear camber kit. Super fin hubs. Mintex pads. Hi-lows. Competition red dot cones. Rose jointed Rear anti roll bar.
KYB Gas a Just shocks
Front subframe:
Hell full braided front brake harness. Cooper 7. 5 disc conversion. 2. 2 quick rack. Adjustable heavy duty tie rod and lower arms. Hi-lows. Competition red dot cones.
KYB Gas a Just shocks.
Interior:
Black throughout with bucket seats. 2/ 3rds carpet coverage as Colins paint job was too good to cover it all up. A genuine MoMo wheel with a nod to the original 2 spoke wheel which quite frankly is a thing of beauty and set of yellow SMCO visors which set the whole thing off. The roof lining is tight and looks great and as anyone who has put them in will tell you there a pig to get right and taught!
The seats are not everyone's cup of tea but it was my mini to build and I love them. All the glass is original and as are the stickers apart from the front screen.
Engine: Original 998cc with a 12g2940 head. I spent some money on this engine with the intention of buying the best possible to move onto a bigger engine in the future. With the original owner building this from the factory I was curious to see what the engine would perform like so left the 998 in and refurbished it the best I could. Most of the parts are from MED and listed below:
Auto bias diff. Competition output shafts. Sump guard. Billet filter head kit. Clutch arm. Damper kit. Braid clutch line. Performance road clutch. Timing plate. Followers. Ultra light flywheel and back plate. Race alternator and starter. Kent 266 cam. Fletcher aluminum rad. And a load more I am sure I have missed. The list goes on.
The car runs great.
The diff and suspension makes this thing rail the road and most minis do but this is unbelievable.
It really does put a smile on your face and I will be extremely sad to see it go.
I am under no illusion I will see all the money I put into the car but genuinely try and find an early mk3 in this condition.
