Good Morning Mr. Ed, Thank you for your interest in this mini! While I was stationed in the UK, I did some time in Eastern Africa, and upon my return back into the UK I started my search for a unique vehicle that I could bring back state side with me to remind me of my time there. I searched Craigslist and Gumtree without much luck and eventually found myself on eBay looking at this red mini 30, such as yourself right now. I messaged the owner, who lived in a small but extremely nice village about 30 minutes north of London. He was far from a car guy but loved he mini and at one point took excellent care of the mini. That was up until his daughter was born and the mini became just another thing sitting in his garage. I'm not sure if it was that he didn't feel safe driving it with her or just a lack of time, but the car would only see sunlight a few times a year. When it was in the garage, his now 7 year old daughter would actually sit driver seat and play in it. When the V5 was signed and the keys were handed over, his daughter was actually more upset to see it go then him I think. Up until that point I hadn't had much experience driving manuals, let alone a 1989 mini right hand drive in the UK. After only a few stalls and two hours on the road, I made it home. When I first purchased the mini the rust wasn't as bad, really the only spots were the window and the hood, and I was confident within my capabilities to eventually fix it up one day. Unfortunately, I underestimated the project, the lack of time, and the lack of space I would have to work on the vehicle. With my short ownership of the mini in the UK and on the east coast, the rust grew, most likely from the hard winter where a lot of road salt was kicked up. Road salt and old paint do not mix!
New message to: jibby1000 | (Cont.) Regarding documentation I have literally every vehicle immanence and inspecting that this car has ever had, to include its original manual, the original radio/radio-code, along with paperwork from my time of ownership such as import documents, registration, and maintenance. Since my ownership the car has not been kept under a cover and the original owner kept it in a garage. I'm not exactly sure how he rust spots formed where they did but the original quality of craftsmanship could play into it. I'm not sure. The floor does not have rust on the inside but the undercharge seems lit there could be some. The electric is spotty to say at best. The headlights work fine but the turn signals and break lights intermittently work. I am no expert by any means but I think there could be an issue with a negative somewhere. The last tiem the carb was tuned was by a mechanic at Foreign Car Service, 501 Bashford Ln, Alexandria, VA 22314 - They were working on some issue with the starter cap (I think). Ill send some photos by the end of the day of everything we discussed and get back to you on the exact part replaced during that visit in Alexandria. Very Respectfully, Kar.sher Mr. Karol | |
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