I Bought The “Cheapest” Example Of My Dream Car I Could Find & It’s Been Shockingly Expensive!
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#MINI #FREETFL - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
When I was a kid, my mother owned two Minis (one after the other, not at the same time). The first was a late 60s model (forget which year) that was pretty basic and the second was a '70 or '71 model, white with a black interior, that was quite a bit nicer.
One of my funniest memories is one time when my mom had 6 kids in the car with her (4 in the back, 2 in the passenger seat, which of course no one would do today) taking them out for the day to some event or other. We were on a country road with a fairly steep hill and the car couldn't get to the top of the hill with all the weight. All of us kids had to pile out of the car. My mom took a run at the hill to get to the top. We then had to walk to the top of the hill and climb back in. They were great fun little cars.
My parents had a '62 VW Bus. My mom once had 13 kindergartners in it, but I suspect 6 in the mini is tighter. Wanting to out-do my mom though, I have carried 13 Pacific Crest Trail through-hikers, with packs, in my Vanagon camper van. With the limited space in a camper, that was a crowd -- but they all needed to get off the snowy mountain. I like to say that VW vans are magic -- they can carry anything you need to carry. Of course there is a corollary to this, if it doesn't fit, then you don't really need it. Perhaps Minis share the same magic.
We also had hill problems with the old '62 bus. We once walked up a long steep logging road on a hot day to lighten the load and keep the VW engine from overheating. And, when I was in high school, we had a phone book drive (remember those). I drove the old VW around Seattle collecting phone books to recycle. With the entire area behind the front seat filled with phone books, and four people in the car, the cargo was probably close to matching the weight of the vehicle. Anyway, I started up a steep hill in Seattle, and about 1/2 way up the block it occurred to me that if I had to stop for the traffic backed up at the red light, I might have trouble restarting. I drove as slowly as I could, but the light stayed red too long and I had to stop. In my first attempt to start, I gunned the engine and let the clutch out. The engine reved, but the car didn't move. I knew the clutch couldn't take that for long (and we weren't moving anyway), so I pushed the clutch in and got back on the brakes. I decided if full throttle didn't work, maybe minimum throttle had a chance. So, I released the clutch while my foot was off the throttle (I'm sure I used the parking brake as part of this maneuver), and then stomped on the gas pedal. Amazingly this worked, but just barely. The clutch held, but the RPM was so low it seemed like I could count each piston firing. But it got me to the intersection where the ground was flat.
New cars are so good they just don't make for as many good stories.
i realize it's pretty randomly asking but does anyone know of a good site to stream newly released tv shows online?
@Denver Aarav i watch on flixzone. Just google for it :)
@Santana Kameron Yup, have been watching on flixzone for years myself =)
@Santana Kameron Thank you, I went there and it seems to work :) I really appreciate it !
The "Mini sound" is due to the three-port exhaust on a four-cylinder engine. Headers into a straight 3" pipe ... sounds AWESOME. Of course, your neighbours will hate you, but what a glorious sound.
If you reduce everything to finding the cheapest way out, you can miss out on a great journey. You chose the great journey, and we all benefited from it. Thanks.
The A-Series engine goes all the way back to the Austin A30 of 1951 and was a 803cc capacity producing 28bhp through a Zenith carburettor. When Austin merged with Morris Motors the Morris Minor was fitted with the same 803cc engine, but fuelled by an S.U. carburettor which upped the horse-power to 30bhp. The one issue the earliest incarnation of the A-Series suffered from was the use of white-metal bearings which caused early engine failure. The engine was massively re-engineered for the launch of the Austin A35 and Morris Minor 1000 in late 1956, and was now a 948cc engine both fuelled by S.U. carbs and producing 37bhp. This uprated engine was really the first version to be called A-Series, though the earlier 803cc engine was pretty much the same design, but without the stronger, much more robust internals as fitted from 1956> The rest, as they say, is history. Without actually adding up the production figures of every car model produced that was fitted with an A-Series engine, I would guess it would be anywhere between 15 and 20 million engines built between 1951-2000.
I own a 948cc from 1959 with twin carbs. Because sports car :D
Really no idea if it's any benefit but it certainly makes tuning harder!
I worked on the power train side at Longbridge in the 1970s. All the A series used oil. I didn't understand why, when Fords of the period didn't. Then I had to review the machines used to machine the connecting rods. They went back to something like the 1940s or 50s, and could no longer maintain tolerances. That was a common problem with most of the machine tools and equipment. I remember the toolroom had lathes etc dating back to before WW2. There was a chronic lack of investment over decades.
@@originalkk882 Sadly brought about by having to pay back the massive amounts of national debt to Uncle Sam after the war. We were still paying back until the early 2000s. Germany on the other hand was handed massive amounts of money to help it rebuild its shattered infrastructure and industries during the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s, so it was in a far better position.
I'm not anti-German or American BTW, I'm just pointing out an historical fact.
Nice job Tommy!!!that camera shot makes you feel like you're riding in the back seat with the dog 🐶 good job!
Brother, you could have purchased one that, in theory, was “well sorted,” but still ended up throwing thousands of dollars into. I think, in the long game, you’ve got everything dialed in and come out way ahead.
I also think you need to buy an MG. You’ll be in heaven.
Thanks for deciding to take it on the back roads ... man I learned a Ton from you in this video... and the interior looks amazing!!! 😍
I'm a old guy and 13k its a lot of money for me too
Well, Tyler has a Car Wizard and a commercial deal with him (and a Car Ninja, a Magic Mike, etc)
And a Juniormint
I wouldn't be surprised if he was a part owner in that business at this point.
@@floridaman7 yeah, at least 99% of Wizzy's business r hoopties 🤑
@@haroldslovinski8785 he's a spoiled punk
10 hours for a wheel alignment?! That's crazy.
Taking my new-to-me '93 classic mini in for front tracking this Friday. Has same uprated front track rods as shown here. I'd expect it aligned in about 30-40 mins...
Tommy, if you're looking for a modern 4cyl that sounds amazing, give the 500 Abarth a try. What an amazing little car.
Reliability that is worse than the modern BMW Mini.
@14:17: I disagree about the paint, it's super marred. Definitely could use a paint correction! You can get a Level 2 Paint Correction and Ceramic Coating for about $600 and it'll make it look like it came out of a museum.
Definitely one of my absolute favorite cars though, and I'd love to have one someday! I would be torn between wanting one in tip-top shape as a cruiser or having one in sort of rough cosmetic shape to turn into a stage rally / rallycross car.
*LOVE this classic mini* !! *GREAT video Tommy* !! #TFLClassics
Love it. What a great engine note. They were very common on the roads here in Australia when I was growing up. Doing yourself gave you a lot of satisfaction and it's a great looking vehicle.
Tommy your young , enjoy throwing your money away , this won't be the last time
I had one in the 80s when I lived in Britain. Great fun. I'm glad you guys are sharing this one.
You truly inspire me Tommy 🙂, I look forward to seeing the transformation of your 1993 Mini when it's done. You made an excellent choice for the seat color👌, and it's so awesome that you include your puppy Blaze in your videos. I'm 6'3, I wonder I'd fit in a '93 Mini, I'm thinking probably not. Great content friend.
A friend in high school back in the 80s had a mini with the Union Jack on the roof. He parked it sideways in the garage and his Lincoln Mark III right behind it.
That is the calmest puppy I have ever seen!
First clue that this car might be one to avoid...it was built with the steering wheel on the wrong side! Quality control might be an issue....
The steering wheel is on the correct side. You guys are driving on the wrong side.
It is a mini, it was designed with the wheel on that side
I dig the video. Not a car guy but appreciate the process you are presenting. Drive by any 4x4 shop and you see people upgrading their vehicles. Same same.
I subscribed to hoovies garage when he found the pimp my ride van...been hooked ever since! Great video Tommy
Blaze is growing quickly!! Love your channels!!
Your Mini sounds awesome now! Love the car ❤️
I love these cars. Looks great. Financially you are fine since the experience could not be bought. Great video and great job.
I do like your mini. owning and modifying a mini is a totally personal process, trust me i've had 12! all 70's models. what ever you do someone will criticise your choice...just poke them in the eye and carry on enjoying the experience of owning, driving, fixing, driving, fixing again...the saddest thing is that to buy a pile of mini rust here in the UK these days is sooooo expensive that I cannot afford one!!! keep enjoying, you're a lucky bloke. Pat
I had to wait 25 years so my cooper was an oldtimer and then throw the rubbish injection out and put a big carb in place.
Now it is perfect !
Enjoy yours and have a lot of fun
The red looks cool and non black rims would be cool. Passion buying is what we need more of and that sound is really cool! Thanks
Nice car Tommy. Love the red seat and the sound of it. Enjoy.
I love the old Minis. Had two of them myself back in England. A 1989 Mini (Thirty) model and a 1993 Mini Cooper S. They were both a lot of fun because they handle like go karts. Not very fast in a straight line but go around corners like they are not there. Not sure I would recommend getting one in the US though. Difficult to get parts for without shipping from overseas.
This will be a real nice example when finished though, looking good so far.
I love Mini’s and have since day 1 because it was the car that my dad drove when he picked me and my mom from the hospital. Right now I own 2 regular Minis and my dad has 2 as well a wagon and a pickup. A word of advice stop keeping track of how much money you spent on it and just do it for the love of the car, it’s a Mini no 2 are alike they are just extensions of the owners personality. Enjoy the Mini and keep up the work on TFL.
A "BMW Mini" is no Mini ... it's as original as a Chinese Struedel, a Vietnamese Spaghetti, or a Hong Kong Rolex ... I'm glad you got to experience what a REAL Mini is, ... and they are incredible Tommy! ;-)
Hey hows your w123?! Please post some updates on that legend! Thank you 😁
Hey if you love the car and if you don’t mind spending the money to make it what you want, more power to you Tommy
The integrated motor /transmission like a motorcycle was a novelty for the time. A modern GoldWing sounds quieter than riding in that tin can with gear whine.
That is one hairy kid you have Tommy and he needs a car seat. Nice to see Blaze he looks so lost sometimes though. Remember it is not the journey but the wallet that decides if it is a classic car or a pile of parts. Don't corner that fast with Blaze in there until you replace your tires, wouldn't want him hurt if you blew one. Stay safe
One of the reasons old cars like the mini (and my favourite - 105 series Alfas) sound so good is 2 valves /cyl. With a 4 valve the dual valves never quite open at the same time so the exhaust pulses are not as crisp.
Great video. Mini with AC.. omg. My first mini.. early 850 with long throw gear shift, floor push button start. Bought it for a 100 quid, sold it for 125 quid a couple of months later. Cars you have to try - Citroen 2cv, early 70s lotus Elan Sprint.
I hugely recommend you ditch the springs and go back to the cones. The springs are known to break often. The cones are smoother if you get the correct ones as well.
You can get those wheels refinished like brand new for $800
Great work👌
You don't need a radio Tommy, save the money and listen to the symphony of that exhaust note!
I'm sure that for you it was financially worth it. After all, it's a dream car for you and doing the work and customization yourself, you know your Mini inside and out and what has been done to it since you started and you are able to do it the way you want.
Think about putting LED headlamps on the car. It will look like the standard lights but with a lot more illumination. There are a few self contained plug and play units available.
I was stationed in Japan in the early 90s and can confirm they were "hugely" popular. I regret not buying one.
Blaze is getting BIG!
Cool dog, we just got a Bernese puppy last week.
"I've always been a huge mini guy" - that's funny :)
You could've spent 10K up front and still had a lot of those problems. I think you've done it the right way to buy a solid car cheaply and then put the money into it. This way you know all the issues are actually resolved and the car stops being a mystery mechanical timebomb.
WHAT!?!? Your favorite channel is not any of the TFL brand? Hope Roman doesn't hear that.
The 'passenger' of the trip seems to enjoy the ride, and understand everything you say.
Great work with the car, can't wait to see the next update.
Thanks for an excellent video!
Anyone else find themselves talking to Blaze the whole time?
Great job Tommy! Bernese Mountain Dog? Think you could have gone with an early 83s Honda Civic, also fun to drive. Also a viewer of Hoovies Garage, Car Wizard, WatchJRGo.
It doesn't matter how much money you put into a car as long as you enjoy it. Any one who has built a project car will tell you that most of the time it's a labor of love and appreciation for the vehicle and not the profit from selling it that makes them happy.
Odd, we use to be able to remove the clutch without having to drop the subframe.
We'd just remove the hood, get it from the top.
Yeah, undo one engine mount and lift the engine on the clutch bell housing side
In the new cars, Cat converters became bigger for tighter emission standards, and I guess more people who're buying cars with 4 cyl today want silent cars, so big silencer 🤫
Can we get a link to the Hoovey website?
I had two minis stationed in England
Even minis at the higher purchase price will have issues to pay more for. I got my 88 mini, fully restored at some point in the past, and still had a get a number of items done within first six months. Suspension cones shot, shocks worn out, fuel line rubber cracked and leaking. I think you did well on the purchase here...and if you were able to work on the car yourself, you'd have saved loads more.
Little thing does sound good.
What year is this Mini?
I’m glad you finally got the Mini running again, but I find myself more money making repairs to a car than its actual worth, I’m selling it right away
That's because you are viewing your cars as a method of transport. This car is Tommy's hobby and therefore it doesn't have to make economic sense. I assume that you have your hobbies like golf, or travel or something; do they make any more economic sense than Tommy saving this Mini?
@@gepwxaqdfsidsesg1548 Spot on. I've always said that if you want to make money in buisiness then trade in hobby/ interest products (inc. motorbikes, classic cars, fishing equipment, fancy watches etc. etc.). People resent paying for essential items but loose their minds when spending on things that they WANT
@@steeveedee8478 my Peugeot 604 is a case in point. It's the earliest one existing in the UK, and there only about 10 to 12 Peugeot 604s in the UK so extremely rare. Mine is also extremely original, only 40,000 miles (because it basically never works) and quite solid underneath and where it counts.
It is also near worthless and going to cost me more to restore than it's actually worth.
I'm still going to do it though, because it's my hobby and I will be proud of it when it's done.
On a pure economic level it makes no sense at all. But then neither does paying for a new kitchen but millions of us buy a new kitchen every year basically for aesthetic reasons. A new kitchen is unlikely to add the value to your property that you had to pay for it.
I'm in the UK and learnt to drive in a Mini in the 70's. They were so common back then you didn't really think much about them and as time went on most rotted away from neglect. Now in 2020 they are hot news again with certain restored models bringing up to £50k at auctions though you can get a real nice clean one for under £10k and a one similar to the one shown here for more like £5-6k and a drivable project for £2k. So why do people buy them? No power steering (although a mod is now possible), generally not enormous power (though there are some insane examples around), and they are all noisy.... Well if you like DRIVING and have not actually driven one; even one of the smallest 850cc ones, then you are missing out. We all love go-carts and thrashing them around tracks.... well the mini is a road going go-cart. And that is it - you get in and it just feels like you are never going less than 100mph at any time despite the fact you are (hopefully) going much slower and every bend is another chance to marvel at just how well they hold the road. I recently got back into mini ownership for the first time since the '70's and just can't believe how much fun these things are. And the best bit is that if you look after it then it will hold it's value. Not to everyone's taste I know but there are even kits now becoming available to convert them to electric which normally also brings a phenominal power increase, easily doubling it. Try driving a mini - you may well be very surprised how much you like it!
Hoovies made a career out of buying Hoopties, and the Car Wizard has put his kids through college fixing them. As long as it's bringing you joy, it's worth it. There are far worse ways to spend your money.
Interior red and black classy )
Try Wild Child Classic Cars in Arizona and ask for Nate Kulpa. He does a lot of Classic Minis. He is doing mine now. I have an 83 auto.
This car is what you call a "toy". It's never going to be an investment. If you love it, keep writing checks and enjoy it! It's a pretty cool little car!
Blaze will always be Tub Tub to me
Took a guy 10 hours to do an alignment? Maybe he didn't know what he was doing? There are like 3 things to adjust per corner.
depending on what has been done to the car. if the Mini is factory, im not sure theres anything other than front tracking thats adjustable on them. we had them in the family but its so long ago now i cant remember for sure.
But the question is, in the immortal words of Ron Dunn, is it Freegan Vegan? Loved that show lol
I think in terms of why the modern 4 cylinders don't sound so good, is due to the turbos. They need to turbocharge the engines because modern vehicles are quite heavy, and a naturally aspirated one can make it slow. On top of that, they don't want to spend a ton of money to make a car sound good, when they're being forced to add sound restrictions by safety organizations. Not to mention, they want to focus on fuel economy. Mazda is one of the few that can dial in a naturally aspirated engine and make it work. If they partner with Yamaha, maybe it would sound better.
Some problems here and there. Its part of the character of owning a unique vehicle. You're learning this one inside and out (you'd actually be happier doing some of the work yourself) and its not something you'll see 20 just like it of on the road.
dog's the star of this vid.
Always more to do an more money needed to get it done thats a fixer upper. We do it for the love of the car not cause it makes money since . The smile an since of pride that you hade in the Video says it all.
The car is coming together looking better keep pluging away at it.
if i find something like for sale for $5k near my area, i would buy it and make it a front yard ornament....LOL
I'd be buying a car in the condition this was and spend the money because you have the peace of mind knowing the car is right rather than spending more on a car and then finding that it still has issues that will cost you more due to the higher purchase price, I hope that makes sense.
When I had my MkIV, I used to nose into tight parking spots, I would get out of the car, and then pick up the rear end by the fender wells and push it the rest of the way into the parking spot. It would freak people out all the time. Worst decision I ever made selling that old girl. It technically belonged to My Boston Terrier, as I had purchased it as a Birthday present, if you stand back and look at the profile it does look like a Boston's head.
I bought the most expensive PT Cruiser Convertible in America...but it also has the lowest mileage.....
Everything labeled “Classic” is expensive now (UK) prices of parts and Labour go up, quality has gone down, Land Rover series and most Norton commando parts I’ve bought the last few years has generally been Junk !
the only good sounding modern 4 cylinder I know of on a car is the Abarth 500
I'm actually surprised that you had a problem with emissions on a car made for the Japanese market. Japan has a much higher standard for emissions testing than the United States. But then again, it was designed by a British/German company.
Tommy will you be selling it next year for 7k 😀
Sorted cars aren't all sorted, you'll always find problems.
A computer in a Mini?
When shopping classics, it's ALWAYS cheaper to buy a sorted car. Buying a project is never going to save money. Buying a project is about the enjoyment of fixing it up yourself with the parts you want. BTW, the reason why 4 cylinders don't sound like that any more... The large majority of drivers view a car as an appliance. They want it quiet, easy to drive and low maintenance. Not only do engines not sound good any more, manual transmissions are almost dead, and cars are no longer designed to allow easy DIY maintenance.
It costs way more to fix up a car than it does to buy the expensive one that is ready to go.
No. Not really. It costs way more to PAY SOMEONE ELSE TO DO THE LABOR to fix up a car, than to buy the expensive one that is ready to go. I’ve personally done many vehicles where I’ve only had hundreds, when it would have cost many thousands if I hadn’t done the work.
@@LukeEdward you're right
@@LukeEdward You are right, same with houses. If you can do it yourself then you get a bargain price house, if you need to pay others then (in the UK at least) it will cost you an absolute fortune. It is labour costs that kill things now.
What an ordeal ... all that fuss for a clutch?!! ... should've dropped an LS in it (everybody would say), or ... done a Hemi-swap (the even nuttier people would say). I'd say maybe a Honda Civic engine would work? ... what engine's in the Miata? ... perhaps another option ...
Jesus Christ...that’s Jason Bourne
Tommy, this could be a great way to get into wrenching. If I were you (about the same age I think) get a radio installed yourself and video it. The small maintenance items too. You'll appreciate your car so much more after you've done things to it yourself (like the Merc). Also Maple, our berner, says hello from Chicago.
Yikes that is why I try to avoid buying car from across the atlantic. So many problems one another. The design and magical feeling sometimes not worth the headache especially if you can't ignoring problems.
Wow a 1500$ alignment
I'd expect new alloys/tyres/balance AND a wheel alignment on my mini for that sort of money!
@@steeveedee8478 Bugatti Veyron costs.
So ..... not a good investment?
It's lovely but the dashboard is horrible :)
The best Mini? One that has received the attentions of a crusher
Elephant in the room is that it might be a tax-deductible business expense if you're making content from it. But you should learn to work on cars yourself.
What's the difference between an automotive journalist and a YT car reviewer?
We don’t get paid by the manufacturer or a dealer or someone who sells cars to “review” cars. In other words we’re not in the business of selling cars.
Haha... vegan only means it’s really made with fossil fuel crude oil.
yep petroleum distillates, wouldn't a fabric interior also be vegan by this definition?
@@joeyscleaninglady2877 of course.
Labour of love? I’d have more respect if u actually got ur hands dirty and not contracted out the repairs. How does that teach u anything on a car u claim to love?
Some of us don’t have the time or space to do the work. I can’t fix my dog when he gets sick, but that doesn’t change my love for him...