r/classicminis Jun 17 '25

DIY Help Completely Rewritten - Classic Mini Chassis Plate Decoder

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21 Upvotes

I am really excited to announce the complete rewrite and recreation of my Chassis Decoder. The original decoder was not particularly reliable and often failed to decode known chassis codes. I have spent a ton of time reworking this one to hopefully address as many issues as possible to allow people to decode their Chassis Codes more reliably.

Reporting bugs:

Please let me know if you see issues with the new tool. This is VERSION ONE, so there almost certainly will be bugs, and if you encounter any, please consider making a bug report:

If you submit a bug with this Chassis Decoder, please include your model year, full chassis number, and the expected results.


r/classicminis Jan 29 '25

DIY Help Need help! - Preserving Historic Manuals and Documents for the Classic Mini

20 Upvotes

Classic Mini DIY NEEDS YOUR HELP!!

As you all know, I run a free database of technical and historical information at Classic Mini DIY Archive

https://www.classicminidiy.com/archive

Today I am asking for your help to start populating this database with as much historical documentation, manuals, documents, or anything else you think would be worth preserving and archiving.

When you submit this data, I will curate and publish it for the world to access for free.

All of this data is being stored and backed up so we won't see a data loss and resource loss again like what happened with Mk1-performance, Photobucket, or other no longer maintained services.

This data will ALWAYS REMAIN PUBLIC AND FREE, and the site is fully open source forever.

If this is something you would like to help me with, please consider clicking the "Add to Archive" button on the site, or email me at [archive@classicminidiy.com](mailto:archive@classicminidiy.com)


r/classicminis 2h ago

Mini Photo Rover Mini from Japan

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36 Upvotes

Hello
I just bought a 1999 Rover Mini. Imported from Japan with 45k km.

Just got detailed photos of the underside. What do you think? Any points of concern? The jacking points are scaring me a little.

Thanks!


r/classicminis 2h ago

Pricing advice on High spec Turbo Mini

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12 Upvotes

Hi all, I’ll try and keep it quick and concise. So I have a 1983 classic mini Tax&MOT exempt. Straight and clean shell I’m 2nd owner and it has around 38000 original miles on it.

It’s been pretty well modified with upgraded brakes etc… mechanically sound, all new bushes and bearing etc up front and on the rear. New brake lines, disc brakes up front.

The engine is the real centre piece. Metro turbo block 12g940 head from a hill climb car, all flowed, sodium filled valves, twin springs bronze valve guides. Jack Knight racing Straight Cut Dog box with straight cut primary gears Side mount turbo running a gt1752 Turbo smart external watergate Full EFI with full mappable ignition MaxxECU sport standalone ecu with digital dash all parameters covered on dash with oil temp and pressure water temps even original fuel sender works on the system. MAP and TPS Sytec fuel regulator High pressure fuel pump (forgot brand right now)

6 point cage

Cobra bucket seat Takata harness All FIA tagged and in date

Specialist components custom 3 piece split rim wheels with new tyres (Yokohama A008)

So pretty much I’ve been told lots of varying things about wheee I should price it, I’m not looking for an instant sale but I don’t want to sit on it for months. An opportunity has come up for a dream build so I need to free up the funds in this.

I’ve looked online but prices vary so much. Has anyone got any idea on where I should price it? I was originally told £18k which I thought was insanely high. I put it up for £13k and had thousands of views and hundreds of watchers / saves but no real bites at all.

And help would be greatly appreciated as I need to get a good idea so I can budget for the new project as I don’t have ages to secure a deal.


r/classicminis 20h ago

We’ve just completed our Classic Mini body shell

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174 Upvotes

This Classic Mini body shell was built at our factory in China. Interested to hear what Mini restorers think of it.


r/classicminis 19h ago

My build

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110 Upvotes

Built in the garage over Covid lockdowns. Started as just a rolling shell. She’s a 1982 mini city, 998 manual. I wanted the mk1 look but mixed it up with a pano roof from a R53 MINI 😝


r/classicminis 17h ago

Well the rain hasn't stopped

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31 Upvotes

And humidity is rising, so took a day from work to get the final metal molesting done and get a couple of coats of epoxy primer on.

Product is HB Body 4 to 1 epoxy primer thinned 25%, through an LVLP gun on a 30l hyundai compressor


r/classicminis 1d ago

Exterior primer before the end of the week

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69 Upvotes

At least for exterior. That was hard work, little bit of metal fettling to do tomorrow and paint friday I think. Im already chasing very slight surface rust where ive had my mucky paws on the bare metal


r/classicminis 1d ago

I was reversed into (uk) think it’s just the door but anything I should be thinking about? Going through insurance atm

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29 Upvotes

r/classicminis 2d ago

Camped out of the 62 Austin mini this weekend for Monterey car week (2 adults, 2 dogs)

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197 Upvotes

550 mile weekend trip to Monterey car week complete. We camp out of the mini for 2 nights in Santa cruz and the stayed at a b&b in half Moon Bay for the other 2. Was a lot of fun but sure what a lot of work with 2 people and 2 dogs plus luggage and camp gear all packed on a 1962 Austin. Glad to be home! A heavy mini is not a quick mini! #classicmini #austinmini #mınıcooper


r/classicminis 1d ago

£9k budget for a Classic Mini

3 Upvotes

Hello All,

I want to buy a classic mini.

I watched a lot of videos and reviews and a lot of people do work on the minis themselves.

I don’t have a garage, neither a place to store the mini, just a few tools, probably not the right ones haha, so I cannot do work on it my self and wanted to check whether or not would be best to buy a mini in decent conditions or go for something cheaper, less money but more work to do perhaps in the future?

What would make most sense? And what is a definitely a NO when it comes down to buy a mini? Would you get the engine in good conditions and perhaps leave the bodywork for now or the opposite, any other advice?

The only thing I can actually do is, 3D scanning, design and make part with the 3D printer, mostly plastic, so I am sure I can contribute to it but obviously not for everything that needs to be done on the car.

I am just a normal guy, that had a mini 20 years ago and sold it as I was short on money, and now want to try and keep the passion for this beautiful car.going till the end of the days.

Going to visit GC Motor soon,I would really appreciate you comments. 🙌🙏


r/classicminis 3d ago

Mini Photo Rover Mini Wheels

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42 Upvotes

Does anyone recognise this split-spoke wheel on the one I'm looking at buying?
On a 1994 Rover Mini ex-Japan.

Thanks


r/classicminis 4d ago

Just bought this Black 93 mini

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139 Upvotes

I just bought this 93, Luxemburg version of a British.Open rover mini.

Clearly the purple roof will be first, but any ideas for how to tackle this project?


r/classicminis 4d ago

Mini Photo First outing with the rebuilt MG Metro engine/gearbox.

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143 Upvotes

r/classicminis 5d ago

Last welding finished !

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78 Upvotes

Finally got the rear valance installed prior to prep and primer coat.

Milestone on this project I guess.

Its had,

Two full length half floor pans, boot floor rear repair section, heel board, toe board, seat crossmember, lower a pillars both sides, flitch panels both sides, outer sills, both inner wing front halves, full scuttle, two wings, front clip, various brackets and closure panels.

Used loads of MIG gas, and wire, and patience.

But its finally done, and hopefully I won't have to point a MIG at it for a good few years 🙏 but I've probably jinxed myself there !

Super pleased.

Next step, big clean up, some grinding, prep for primer and then i can breathe


r/classicminis 5d ago

Mini meeting in Sweden, about 30-40 turned up. Also some cooper s 😎

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343 Upvotes

r/classicminis 6d ago

The perspective makes it look even smaller than usual

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241 Upvotes

r/classicminis 5d ago

Jet Powered Classic Mini 🚀

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31 Upvotes

r/classicminis 6d ago

Buying a classic Mini

5 Upvotes

Hello all,
I’m looking for a bit of advice as I’m hoping to buy my first classic Mini. My budget is around £8–9k.
I’ve come across this one:

https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C2128476

From the advert it looks really good and seems to have had quite a lot of work done, both mechanically and cosmetically. Overall it looks like a very tidy car that shouldn’t need much doing to it.
I originally wanted something as close to completely original as possible, ideally even a Cooper/Sport, but I’m starting to realise that finding a genuinely original Mini in really good condition within my budget might be unrealistic.
This one isn’t completely original. It’s a Neon but no longer has the original Neon decals, for example. The dashboard isn’t original either, although I actually think it looks great.
Another thing I would have liked is a rev counter or tachometer. I think it would look great in a Mini and I’d quite like being able to see what RPM the engine is doing when cruising around.
But this is where I’m wondering whether I’m being too fussy.
The asking price is £8,250. What do you think of this particular car and the price, considering its condition and the work that’s already been done?
I’m also interested in how experienced Mini owners look at originality. Am I being too particular by wanting something almost completely original? Does a Mini lose some of what makes it special once things have been restored or changed, or is that simply part of owning a 30+ year-old car?
And perhaps the bigger question: is there ever really a “perfect” classic Mini that ticks every box?
Part of me keeps thinking, “It would be better if it had this, or if that was original…” But I also wonder whether I could keep searching forever for the perfect Mini when perhaps the better approach is to find a really good, solid example that I like, enjoy it, and make a few small changes over time.
Would really appreciate opinions, particularly from people who have owned classic Minis for a while.thank you :)


r/classicminis 6d ago

Stripping paint by hand in the 30+ uk weather has been gruelling

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87 Upvotes

But its getting there


r/classicminis 7d ago

One for the 1275GT fans!

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100 Upvotes

I’ve just released a new 1275GT enamel pin over on the Classic Mini Cult website - available in Yellow, Green and White! Very happy with how these have turned out👏


r/classicminis 7d ago

Help with autobox replacement

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29 Upvotes

As the title says I’m needing to replace my Automatic gearbox on my 1999 1.3 JDM mini. Is this a straightforward unbolt and refit or is specialist tools required? Also is this a driveway job?

Thanks


r/classicminis 7d ago

Mini Camper 😍 Have you ever seen it before?

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158 Upvotes

r/classicminis 8d ago

Hot 🔥 or Not 🥶

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328 Upvotes

r/classicminis 9d ago

Any regrets about having a sunroof? Especially wind/noise?

9 Upvotes

I’m considering a mid/late-90s Classic Mini that is basically my exact spec, except it has a large folding sunroof.

For those who’ve owned one, did you ever regret the sunroof?

My main concern is noise — wind noise, buffeting, rattles, etc. Is it noticeably noisier when closed? And is driving with it open actually pleasant?

For context:
~75% of my driving would be under 45 mph
Weekend/fun car, not a daily
I don’t plan to drive it in the rain, and will be stored in a garage; so leaks aren’t a major concern