Register and check out www.miniowners.com. Always cheap Minis.

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Gunnar S?m?en
1971 Morris Mini
http://www.vtecmini.com

As a rule, you simply cannot restore a car for less than it will be worth. I
guess you would be looking at an 80's car for the ?100 or so. When it is up
and running, MOT'd and ready to go, it won't be worth more than about
?500-?800. Unless it is something really special, but then it would cost
even more to do up! As is being discussed elsewhere, you won't even get a
decent respray within the few hundred pounds difference.

Although most parts are cheap for a Mini, it will soon mount up just with
the ordinary bits that need replacing. And if you start adding accessories,
you can forget staying within the value of the car!

I'm not trying to put you off, Peter. But I'd rather you were realistic
about this before you got too far down the line. We deal with companies who
provide bespoke Mini's built to the customers exact specification. They
won't even entertain anyone without ?15k to spend. A professionally restored
and painted (properly) shell costs around ?8000 alone!

You should still go and find a car. But be careful what you spend your
budget on and don't expect to get it all back if you sell it later. Then you
will have fun building it and fun driving when the time comes. Just enjoy!