And I am still driving my second conversion, first one was done in 2003 and only sold it to fund another one.. so still driving a VTEC Mini after 10 years.. and both were built by me.. some pretty broad generalizations.. There are plenty on non VTEC Minis that you could never get your money back on if you sold it after a rebuild or a restoration done at a 'professional' shop, and plenty of people that sell them after a short period of ownership.... 

Yes, I realize your's has been enjoyed for many years, but like I said, it was also built by professionals.  You gotta admit though, that there are far more VTEC's sold by their new owners inside of a year than those of you that have been happy with the final product.  I can only think of a handfull of folks that are completely satisfied with their VTECs and most of those were professionally built.  You and NJ (at least in my mind) have kept your cars longer than most, even though I know NJ recently sold his, I know it was not due to his not liking it.  I hope Sparetimetoys does whatever makes him happy, but I also think an early car shouldn't be sacrificed for a VTEC conversion when there are so many on the market already that would be cheaper option for him than destroying an early Mini.  Good luck to him and only time will tell if he builds it and if it pops up for sale as quick as most of them do.  Any gamblers among us? 

Yes Deb, it's an 850 WITH a 1275 head!!!

The head is not an 850 head as the heater valve spot is on an angle. So bigger head?  

Deb

I have received photos and the engine IS an 850 with a 1275 head. Swapped in head, carbs and distributor unto 850 bottom end. Someone must have done a bit of work to get this to work.

Well, I guess there's something to be said for letting someone with skills do the heavy lifting. Going on 6 years with my conversion and still enjoying it. 

See it at MiniResto

Go ahead and do the swap.  Keep track of all the money spent so you'll know how much of a loss you're taking when you sell it within the first year.  Seen way too many people dump money into a VTEC conversion only to sell them off fairly soon after conversion...well, at least the ones that have been done at home instead of having a professional do the job.  Anyway, good luck and break open the wallet!

I dont think you are doing 'great dishonor' to the brand either. I tend to think however from my experience that the kind of 'fun' you decribe tends to wear off pretty quickly. There is something lasting and fulfilling about driving a small 'underpowered' momentum sportscar that just gets totally lost in the hassle/expense of high powered swaps, and thats why I wouldnt bother with it, especially AWD and all of that jazz. And thats why people often abandon such builds not too terribly long after completion. The only swap I would consider would be a Suzuki Swift mill or a lesser powered Honda that doesnt require front end sheet metal butchery etc. But to me even then the expense just isnt worth it. Its your dime though so it isnt my opinion that matters.

Steve,

I would love it if you could send me an 850 block, at shipping cost. I would love it if anyone would send me an 850 at shipping cost as long as its not over a few hundred bucks. I have been looking for an 850 or 1098 for my '62 to replace the one that sent a connecting rod through the side of the block and trans, right where the 2 meet. I have pics of it at home and plan on uploading it either today or tomorrow. Could you let me know how much shipping would be to Spokane, or if you might know someone who has these closer to me.

Scott

Actually I can say that both of the things you mentioned at the end of the last message aren't interesting at all to me. After you've seen it a few times it's sort of boring. The essence of the Mini isn't straight line speed anyway, it's handling and anyone who knew anything about the car would know that. 

On the other hand, you're welcome to entertain yourself with your purchase any way you'd like.

Kelley

If it was a 1959 and had something special or it was an oddball optioned car I would restore it. That being said mine is a 1960 that is about all it has going for it to restore it. I purchased it to modify it because it was butchered in a couple places. It will also help folks restore owith who are looking for some of the parts I plan to remove. I don't think I am doing some great dishonor to the brand as I have been emailed. I look at it like the designers wanted a small fun car that would make folks smile. You can't say watching the videos of a mini blowing off a camaro or mustang doesn't make you laugh, or when the rear engined one at the drags doing a wheele when he hits second gear isn't a hoot. 

I agree that the 1959 should be preserved and a different mini converted to street rod. 

A fellow local club member (Michael) assisted in this restoration by providing tons of photographs of his car and providing information as needed.

//bd.summit.net/articles/2013/11/13/bmw-restores-classic-mini-as-it-revives-production-in-netherlands/#gsc.tab=0

Michael's mini:

//1959miniregister.com/1959-mini-gallery-two/?album=7&gallery=40

The rarity of a car (or anything for that matter) isn't determined by the number that were manufactured. It's determined by the number that exist. 

MkI cars in the UK are rare because they rusted badly in the climate and they were scrapped when new models came out rather than repair them. The MOT had a lot to do the the latter. It's quite possible that there are more MkI Minis in North America than there are the UK.

Kelley 

Anytime people actually want to buy your 850 chances are its not an 850. lol...

As for value, it typically varies significantly with region. My experience with classic cars is that currently cali is likely the best place in the US to buy, not sell. Those who live there may not realize it but the ability to find a decent project at a decent price there is much like it was back in the 80's in the southeast...which has been severly picked over for 30 yrs. In the muscle car realm many cars are shipped to the southeast from the wes coast.

I would bet the UK guys would value an early MK1 at a greater level than most here in the states. Also the produced/made number for 59/60 could be decieving. The average 50+ year natural attrition rate on automobiles can be quite staggering. But its impossible to say exactly what remains.

John roper was helping a friend in Arlington sell this car.  I couldn't ever get engine numbers from him,  he would always forget.  He had a bunch of pictures on his facebook account.   I'm pretty sure it was magic wand, but he's sine removed the pictures.  It does have a non S 1275 head and a mechanical advance dizzy.  These could have both been added to whatever block. 

Really unless it's a real mk1 S car all other minis can be tuned into vtec cars A couple really early 59 cars sold for good money in the UK.  They made like 10k 59 model cars, so not really that rare.

Yes, Photo is a Pre A+ 1275... you can see the angle of the heater control valve as well as the thermostat, and it has a generator.  I don't see any crankcase vent so would guess it was cobbled in place of a small bore, probably onto a 3-sync gearbox still with magic wand...

Based on the rotation of the thermostat housing, if the engine is a 1275 you can add $1500, (or more if it is a "S" block) dollars to your parts prices. 

Not being a smart a.. but how can you tell from just the photo?  I was told it was just an intake swap.

Also interested in the engine here in California.

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