Rare Mk1 Austin Mini Barn Find survivor - will it run?

[@jammyone100]

63 years old!! Registered December 1960 on KZbin December 2023 in great condition, rebuilt with its original engine, got to be one of the rarest minis left. That number plate is worth good money alone.

[@spamhead]

Good old Essex reg. 4 and 2 as they were running out of numbers before the suffix came in. My first car was 111 SPU, not worth so much! My current car is a 1960, and the reg was lost in 83, but I got it back although non-transferrable. Worth watching Ivan on Shed Racing, he’s got 2 mark 1s.

[@jammyone100]

@@spamhead worth around £1000 too £1500 not to shabby. 👍

[@petermetcalfe6366]

Ivan on the shed racing channel is currently recommissioning a 1959 Austin 7, he had been told by a subscriber that the early mini's had a magnesium gearbox, when he checked his it indeed was a magnesium gearbox.

[@mikeuk4130]

​@@jammyone100 too

[@mikeuk4130]

​@@petermetcalfe6366 minis

[@Lot76CARS]

Jonny, you’ve established a niche all of your own with these barn finds. Who needs Top Gear when we’ve got our Jonny S…never ever stop searching these out and sharing with us!

[@ChrisFEJackson]

Hi Simon!

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Top what? Not watch that shite for decades

[@Lot76CARS]

@@Yorkshiremadmick i should qualify I meant back in the days when Top Gear was a car show 😉

[@laupstad]

Quite a journey when you put it like that. From working on telly co-presenting Top Gears competition and now going solo making better content than ever!

[@marklucas3025]

These are such great little cars. Memories of that first motoring experience. Amazing condition for the year. So many rotted away on driveways and gardens…..such a shame. Good to hear that both cars are being restored. The scimitar looked in good condition too bearing in mind it’s sat outside all its life. Worthy of a revisit when restored I think. 👍🏼

[@harryharker9564]

What a little sweetheart!! Dad had a 1959 Morris mini minor YYG74 we went all around England in it as Kids.Mum Dad 3 kids and sometimes the baby sitter.

[@bertholio007]

Love the foot pump when your standing next to a air compressor 😂😂

[@peterharrison2630]

That's just what I was thinking!

[@garyhawkins9246]

Me too! 😂

[@Mardy72]

Same here 😂

[@kevvymetal666]

said the same and got a snippy reply that it was broken . the optics though haha

[@gazmoto]

The youtubers catchphrase “it all makes great content”, why make it easy when you can add to the story 👍

[@gradese]

My first car was the same as this in red. Reg no was 8617 PU, so just a little later than this blue example. Great memories.

[@larrylongprong5219]

My dad came to Australia in the early 60’s from northern England. He bought a brand new mini deluxe! He drove it from Sydney to lightning ridge. I still have the photos of his trip.

[@toby9055]

What a great episode! My first car was a Mini and judging how rotten that was at only 8yrs old - this is a miracle! So happy to hear it will get a resto. Brought back a lot of memories for me, incredible cars really. Thanks for another brilliant BF.

[@berwhaletheavenger]

'Swapped it out'. FFS 😂 The original colour is Clipper blue.

[@GazzUnseen]

Sensational episode! Please, please do a follow up with both. My Grandad had a Scimitar GTC so particularly interested to see that GTE restomoded!

[@barrykochverts4149]

The guy whose dad worked on locomotives says --about the Mini-Minor: "All his spanners were too big for this." Love it!

[@davidquinn5906]

This is exactly the condition every Mini used to be in. Little patches and modifications from previous owners everywhere.

[@gt197]

Got to love a bit of Burly Chassis..👍🏻

[@Borders14]

Would love to see the restoration of this gem and what it looks like when finished!

[@grahammayhew7749]

Can’t wait for him to push the dip switch to start it😂

[@Slack3rDav3]

The engine size is typically on a badge on the backside of the engine, same side as the water pump.

[@kja1888]

“I need to put air in this tyre with this foot pump. I’ll just move this compressor to make room” !!

[@robinforrest7680]

You can count on the mini having been very well looked after. Dad having worked on steam and diesel locomotives at the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway’s workshops at Horwich. Needs repainting in LYR blackberry black with white/red lining 😂😂

[@samholdsworth420]

Commenting before watching. I have confidence in your ability to get this thing to run. Sir Johnny Smith

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Thank you for your positivity. We need you on every BF shoot!

[@AleksandrHalas]

You are the savior of cars that were forgotten in the barn!!!

[@hardlyworgen71]

Great episode. The Mini should keep the period modifications it now has. Especially that 950cc engine. Maybe add some Cooper speed parts.

[@garyseaton4619]

Johnny, this has been an outstanding video. I love the older, original Mini. That Scimitar is one I'm going to have to look up, Thank you...

[@Michael-yd5ry]

I was minus one when this car was new.😂😂What a great channel.Love it !.

[@DavidPGCSE]

This is going to shock you Jonny, but Princess Anne had one of those Scimitars

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

What?

[@granthawtree4669]

Have to do the obligatory “Princess Anne has one of those”

[@martyncarey4668]

Using the foot pump with the compresser next to them ❤

[@johncook4597]

And there's always the ice cold in alice trick if you have the handle...

[@WilliamStevens007]

Please follow these two up Jonny at some point.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Will do

[@ObiePaddles]

Nice to see a barn find where the car is staying ni the family rather than being sold.

[@garyfallows1123]

I always wanted a scimitar when I was younger, then back in 1981, my mates dad bought one, he took me for a ride, after that I didn't want one, it was the most uncomfortable horrible ride car I'd been in 😂😂, and i always wonder, how many cars like this are in garages and barns that have been forgotten

[@alancobbin]

This is why us Brits love the Mini👍🇬🇧

[@petergoede1412]

love to see the restorerd cars. maybe you can do an episode on that too.

[@RoyDavidson-g7g]

SAO 44M that car first owner must have been in cumbria

[@modscotsman]

Can't beat a mini. I've still got 5 and my day job is converting them to electric.

[@graemegardner8501]

What a beautiful little car.

[@RichardJohnson-wk1qy]

Was the wing out of shape before you moved it 😵‍💫

[@brian7369]

Great video Johnny ! Can always rely on your content 👍🏻

[@djcouch]

Jonny, would there be a content-worthy package in ‘Barnfinds Revisited’.

[@urbanfeeder]

brilliant. my first car. my best car

[@ShalomBrother]

Rather than putting engine oil down the bores, you’d be better with an aerosol can of Motul fogging oil.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Good idea. We will get some fogging oil. Thank you

[@rikardottosson1272]

Nice one!

[@AntonyThorburn]

LOVE YOU.

[@vdevov]

Glad to see a Mini featured. Felt like love for them had fallen out in the UK due to them being literally everywhere for so long. My ‘71 Cooper is going strong after only one rebuild (here in the US seems some mechanics like ordering the wrong sized clutch then forcing it in). The best thing I ever did was install an MSD ignition. Starts up literally every try, no troubles for over 10 years.

[@davidp7414]

This was wonderful. The Shirley Bassey 8 tracks gave me a HUGE rush, straight back to my Ex-Pat Brummie Dad here in the USA. Our 1973 Gran Torino, Shirley Bassey, Beatles and Brenda Lee 8 tracks on a loop as we did road trips in New England circa 1974. My Dad passed this year and I had not heard the Shirley Bassey name in years. Lovely nostalgia. Wow, choked me up. Thank you Johnny. PS. I do not know why WD40 dropped the sponsorship, it was such a great fit and I always enjoyed knowing you were getting backing for these fantastic productions. Love you Johnny.-From Upstate, NY

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Thank you for this wonderful comment. Enjoyed the references a lot. WD40's budgets are being set again soon and they are debating whether to come back on board (they need to do the right thing and sign up, riiiiight?)

[@larryjimbob]

​@@TheLateBrakeShowWhere would a barn find be without a can of WD?

[@PeterGorrill]

Several commenters have suggested a follow-up after restoration. With Steve's agreement, how about doing a 'Harry's Garage' style restoration series? Be nice to show the youngsters the ins and outs of British Leyland engineering - for better and for worse! Good marketing for the restorers too.

[@bebobism]

I'll bet that it has rust everywhere. I've bought three of these things in the past , thinking they looked ok. Guess what after a year ?. . . rust everywhere , especially at the seams where panels meet. They're cute little cars , but the quality is beyond bad.

[@whitemoor66]

That was brilliant. I was literally grinning from ear to ear when she fired up. Love the apologetic little cough from an A series starter motor. This might just have inspired me to dig our Cooper out of the shed next year and try and get it running as that will soon have been off the road for 25 years.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Great to hear! Let us know if your Cooper needs the help of a fleece wearing man.

[@kougerat5388]

Just what I was thinking @@TheLateBrakeShow

[@davidopresto94]

DO NOT touch it without the help of Johnny! We need as many barn finds as we can!

[@k144kev]

Yes let the power of us all bring it back Kev in Devon

[@mancavehobbies6213]

God i love Jonny and his barn finds. I suffer from Bipolar type 2 and for sure without question Jonny always put a smile on my face even when i'm down . THANKYOU JONNY.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Thank you ❤️ thank you so much for watching the channel.

[@a.c.4732]

same here matey - keep up the meds ; no matter how dark the night gets , the morning ALWAYS follows .

[@robsawalker]

I had a Morris Mini Minor 850, built in December 1959 registered January 1960. Someone had put padded velvet seats in it with covered buttons 😄. It was ace; push button starter on the floor, dip/main button by the pedals, flashing indicator stalk. And it never started if there was the merest hint of damp in the air.

[@redmile999]

This is better than any motoring programme on tv!

[@jamiedufrayer5461]

My Dad had a canary yellow Scimitar with red and black pinstripes down the sides. Great car! I remember being squished into the back with my little brother surrounded by bedding on camping holidays to France, and the year we didn't go because Dad spanked the holiday money on Spax coil overs and a limited slip diff! 😂 Lovely video Johnny 😊

[@ChrisFEJackson]

What a guy!

[@bikerboywayne1]

My late father-in-law had a SE6 Scimitar in red When the leaded fuel came the an end I helped him put a Ford Granada 2.9 EFI engine in We had longlife exhaust which was based in Cardiff at the time made a full system for it

[@ChrisFEJackson]

@@bikerboywayne1 Princess Anne had one don't you know ;)

[@stevenbennett3922]

Bet Mum was thrilled.

[@philtucker1224]

@@ChrisFEJacksonyes back in those days it was very well covered by the media and became Reliant’s claim to fame!

[@WilliamStevens007]

Such a feel good episode today Jonny, After a pretty horrid week I have been grinning from ear to ear watching this and how nice to hear they both will be restored and on the road.

[@cruachan1191]

I worked at a college a few years ago and one of the staff had an old Mini. Two things struck me with it, firstly you forget how truly mini they were compared to modern cars and even the modern Mini, and secondly the smell of a carburetted engine is something you very rarely experience these days.

[@daystatesniper01]

This episode was beyond sensational , the Mini is considering it's age is in amazing condition ,the shed was amazing lol , as for the Scimitar those 8 track cassettes are amazing survivors , please consider doing a follow up on the Mini if restored .Many thanks.

[@s1m0nc]

Epic. Hope the Scimitar fits in the garage when the mini heads off. Both look cracking! Thanks TLBS and Steve. Would love to see them again after resto.

[@panamafloyd1469]

Regards to Chris and Dan! We're all enthusiasts, we should be helping each other. I had a laugh at "..that arch seems really good..". I'm a native of the rural Southern US - but I've always been an 'import guy'. When y'all opened the garage, I thought, "Hey, that one's in pretty good shape!" The first UK motoring magazine I ever read was a copy of Classic and Sports Car in the mid 1980s. Contained an article about two guys restoring a '60s MG Midget. Had more rust on it than I'd ever seen in my life. Most of the article seemed to be about how much welding they did. I'd later learn that my region of the country is well known for having clean survivors..but most Southern people didn't buy imports until the OPEC crisis in the 1970s. A Mini that old is quite rare over here.

[@michaellittler2616]

I knew that mini was in there but never seen it , I have seen the scimitar a few times when I have been at Paul’s mum and dad’s house (Paul is one of the brothers ) it’s good that they are keeping both cars,I’ve been waiting weeks for this video but i am still mad that Paul didn’t let me know you were going ,it would of been great to meet you Johnny I have followed your channel for a good while now ,thanks for sharing this video

[@arthurfarrow]

The starter button is underneath the hand brake. The mushroom to the left of the clutch is to dip the headlights.

[@richardfearn6638]

Yes, my comment also

[@grumpyto5]

Yet another great find. Whilst you were tinkering with the carb, I found myself saying check the dash pot for oil. Did you??

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

I did, fear not

[@davidjowett8195]

Dry dash pot = poor running. It caught my Dad out on his Morris 1300

[@philmyerscough1]

It would be great to see you revisit some of the barn finds after the owners have them recommissioned, I bet this would be a good one in afew years👍

[@richardcarter1000]

Lovely. A mk1 Mini Minor is still my shopping car. It was my Mum's favourite car. I had it restored too, after she died. They are great cars

[@davidgalea6113]

I cant wait for the mk1 capri barn find..

[@iainweller452]

Love the two blokes who stopped, would love to see the mini finished, Great episode Jonny.

[@yvetterobertson2770]

Could we get updates on these two occasionally? I would love to see the progress on the Mini.

[@GenaF]

I was watching the Mini trying to start and was shouting "Come on, come on" ! I remembered clearly my own first 1980 Mini 1000 which I absolutely loved. Bloody fantastic!

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

I'm currently recomissioning a '61 Austin Seven , unused since 1974 with 37k miles , can't wait to get her back on the road for the 50th anniversary !.My best mate's parents had 3472 PU , a 1960 Austin Mini Countryman in Tartan Red ,PU is an Essex registration - great another early Mini is being saved !.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Great info, thank you

[@josephberrie9550]

60th anniversary

[@ChrisFEJackson]

My Gran had an early mini in red, she was the district mid wife in Sunderland and she used to park it wherever she liked at all angles and the police used to know the car and never bothered her, wise men. I used to stay during holidays and get thrown around in the back. Seeing the mini with the sliding windows and strung door release took me right back! Great episode, you must do a follow up Johnny please!

[@FastAsFunk]

Just wonderful...! This episode has a really good feeling about it. That little Mini is super - So pleased that it'll get a new lease of life. Bonus Scimitar restomod is a great idea. PS: I also had one of those beach buggy style police cars. You put batteries in the light on the front. It had those shady pedals that didn't go round but sort of went forwards and backwards. Was RWD with no sprag so you could do good skids by leaning forwards and locking up the back end 😂

[@ChristopherRowlands]

Great episode. I love that they’re keeping both the Mini Minor and the Scimitar. Lovely warble from that A Series.

[@nekite1]

I do love me a little Mini. I had a later 850 City back in 1985. Drove to Gretna Green in it, stayed at the Gretna Chase hotel and we got married on Midsummers day without telling anyone beforehand. We camped around Scotland for the next week. Also the car I had when my better half was pregnant with my daughter. Drove the wheels off it to get to the hospital when my wife informed me she imminent. They're not quick, but the go kart handling around town makes up for it. Mind you, it was utterly terrifying to drive on a motorway!

[@BURP39R]

I love a garage smell. For me it was the smell of oil and grease. Dad backing his car out to work on it. After dad i passed i had to get into the garage to find something. Sadly as i did all the memories of him came back and i had to close it. It was too much. Bless car memories and smells.

[@petermooney2016]

Thanks Jonny, this brings back so many memories - unlike Steve, we were all allowed to drive it and got our driving licences in a Mark 1 bought new by my grandfather in 1960. A great car to drive, apart from a gearbox described by my late Father as like stirring a broom handle around in a bucket, and no synchro in first. I put it on its side once while my parents were on holidays, no major damage done and repaired before they got back 😊

[@ronald1968]

Oddly it seems to have mk2 door handles... with the chrome button on the door .... also very strange I'm pretty sure that the rear window is later mk1/mk2 size..... mk1s were quite s narrow window in comparison....

[@nigelratledge3485]

Another cracking find - just how many more early Mk1 Minis can there be left to unearth...? I've just noticed that it has the little 'safety boss' behind the ends of the door handles, these were fitted to all Mk1s from January '66 onwards so the doors are probably from a later car.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Another fantastic video Johnny, the Mini did not take too long to get started and does not seem in bad nick, would be good to revisit this once the car has had the nut and bolt resto.

[@philtucker1224]

The regular 1000 engines were 998 cc. As far as I know the earliest Cooper S cars were 997cc then 1071cc and eventually 1275cc.

[@dougs1792]

T shirts sold out unless you want small...want to buy...cannot buy...love the show though, cheers from New Zealand

[@eddienoel1149]

Please can we have some follow-up videos of this and other barn finds…awesome content

[@oliverpetroski4205]

The cutest European cars: - The 2cv - all the models - The old (not the new) Mini, - Oval Beetle (not the later ones), - DKW. One of which is what I expected to see on the video😁

[@peterlarkin762]

Fiat 500 the cutest!

[@Tedcowboy]

My partner has a 62 MK1 mini that was her mum's 1st car it's been in the family 51 years and has been restored to new condition.

[@besenzon1]

Wow !!, what a survivor 😮. Hope it doesn’t get over restored 💰💰💰 Looks great as it is 😍

[@thedeadstig123]

Some mk1 mini front hinges were brass, they are very sought after as the later steel one rust terribly

[@stotheh]

Minis were everywhere right up to the late 2000s. Now they are nowhere at all. The 1000cc endless special editions are gone. Only the worthy Coopers and other interesting ones are left for special occasions now...

[@samuelgarrod8327]

Great stuff Jonny, as always. I love the way that (either inadvertently or deliberately) you apply a liberal smear of Alan Partridges patent TV oil to your work. Brilliant. Jackanackanory. 👍

[@tunwellengineering733]

Great video again, not knowing if we’re being treated to an Aston Martin or a mini makes each video worth watching, 2 guys turn up off the street and muck in,you’ve built up a great following

[@mick0846]

What an amazing history. Hopefully, you can come back and film them when they are restored

[@pauldavies6037]

Jonny you have one of the best and most interesting shows on Y tube family and car history again great indeed

[@odl21]

SU's will run the engine for a some time just with a full float bowl. no need to connect the can of hope.

[@ArtCarFunky]

Another great episode Jonny 👍 Is it just me, or is it a coincidence, that Steve's dad was a railway engineer & he mentioned that his dad had repainted the car at some point, in what looks like InterCity blue 😂👍 Also, the spare door you found in the shed is Island Blue which is probably the mini's original colour 🙂👍

[@jeremywentworth1833]

So glad the mini is been saved at 63 years old it more than deserves it. I wouldn't do a full restoration just a recommission.and what would pass an MOT even though its of an age it doesn't need an MOT..i remember my Dads brand new 1980 V reg Datsun Skyline 240KGT always having Barry white , Dionne Warwick and.other Motown music. Old man also had Neil Diamond, infact at 53 i still love the Walrus of love and ive always had him in all my car's.

[@martindivall5301]

Back in 1986 my sister had one of these 850's ( Sliding windows, external hinges ) I fitted a 1275GT engine and Cooper S disc brakes... it was the most fun car I ever drove. From memory these very early ones where originally positive earth from the battery ? Im sure they had an additional push button starter solenoid under the bonnet too .

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

The Mark 1s and 2s were indeed postive earth, Martin , but the cars with floor button start did not have a solenoid as there was no need for one !.Recommisioning my ' 61 car , has given enormous problems locating the exact correct exhaust system as it has to avoid the live contacts exposed under the car !.In the end sourced genuine old stock parts as most pattern ones are inaccurate.

[@tonze9829]

My first car was an out of the box Mini 1969 with reg MVN400F white with black roof bought it for $579 from a garage in Marske North Yorkshire. The indicators would slow down then stop flashing when engine was at idle, never did get it fixed even by the garage. Best car ever. Twin exhaust silencer nose up out at the back centre and a homemade dashboard panel. The bees knees and loved it!

[@spamhead]

Had a 70 Clubman that I fitted a homemade wooden dash to. I even managed to fit a rev counter!😂

[@richiem86]

There’s something about that colour blue, I can’t help thinking it looks more BR (British rail) than BL/austin…. Was Steve’s dad good mates with the foreman of horwich paint shop?

[@richiem86]

(Great episode as usual too)

[@mikenorris5378]

Already a huge fan bonus its my home town. Wigan!

[@KyanCamaro-yd7le]

I love mini cooper from the Italian job 1969

[@davidparry1982]

Love that mini and so good to hear that it’s going to be nut n bolt resto - please keep your dad’s door hinges though ❤️

[@cheeseney304]

how the heck is this channel not in the millions of subscibers? it baffles me...

[@carolynhollingworth5905]

What lovely cars.I love the barn finds series with the stories n stuff.Hope you do some revisits to some of them.xx

[@renofesta4400]

Brilliant. I'd like to see a couple of feature length follow ups on the resto of the mini and the Scimitar, too. Great episode 👏

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Jonny this has to be my favourite barn find being a mini lover! As for a restoration for the owner I would recommend Minimine in Stoke on Trent their attention to detail to keep this car original would be like nothing else. I can’t wait to set this one done

[@addzy85]

It would be great if you did a follow up post restoration. Another great find and great vid. Steve seemed a lovely guy too!!!