Restoring and Heavily Modifying My $5,000 Mini Cooper Classic, The World's Most Loved Car

[@vinzenzgeske8987]

Man, I felt it so much when the body filler came off. My brother in law and I bought a 1991 Golf MK2 about 18 months back. It was an abandoned project car and it just needed some love they said. Thank god we only paid 500 bucks because this thing has become such a money dump! It had (cheap) coilovers on it and it was so low the whole underside was trashed: oil pans from both the (automatic) transmission and the engine completely ruined, support frame dented and cracked open. Then there were parts missing which we only found out after wards including the electric mirrors which are around 300 bucks for decent used ones. I have to completely rewire the headunit because they messed with that as well. The only reason we bought it in the first place was the engine. We didn't want the very common 1.3 carburetor version. It has a 1.8l with 90 hp and ways around 950kg. And since everything is shit anyway we have a clean slate and can do whatever we want. Including switching to manual transmission, installing a stainless exhaust manifold, a full stainless exhaust, my dream wheels and the color we chose. Sadly, whenever you think you now found all the problems you turn around and find something new... We are about 3k in and realistically, it will be 7+ grand when we're finished. And this is with us doing every single thing ourselves - apart from doing the actual painting which a good friend of us will be doing as a favor.

[@hami]

For a 1969 Mini MK2, I think it has the wrong front end on it. It’s also got 12 inch wheels rather than 10 inch. Pretty sure it’s also got the incorrect rear light clusters for a MK2. The doors are definitely MK2 and likely original, but the bonnet (hood) and the Mini badge on it are from a MK6 (1990-1996) as I suspect are the wheels. It’s a bit of a Frankenstein mini as it currently stands, with 30 years between some of the parts.

[@SalemTechsperts]

Awesome info. This makes it that much more interesting.

[@linusa2996]

165/60r12 will fewer rotations per mile. it's about 2% larger

[@waynecaulfield-gk6sv]

Pretty sure 69 still had sliding front windows ? My guess is its stolen.. those reg plates only appeared in Ireland from 1987 onwards.. it definitely has some kinda shady past

[@johna1160]

Thanks for identifying license plate. I was curious.@@waynecaulfield-gk6sv

[@brentrenouf7127]

​@@waynecaulfield-gk6sv didn't Rich get it from marketplace 😉

[@matthewjenkins1161]

Get a single 1.75" SU carb on it, which flows almost as well as twin 1.25" carbs, but without the balancing hassles. At 8:30 that is NOT a speaker hole. Later Minis had air vents in that location, but given you only have one on the right, that panel is out another car.

[@grim.reaper]

The doggo is so 🥰 cute

[@Split10uk]

So nice to see a simple car restoration, rather than the mclaren porsche and ferrari's that most of us can never own.

[@feandil666]

Man, that's the best episode in a long time, seeing a full takedown like that is awesome

[@ForeverDownByLaw]

I'll give a thumbs up to this channel no matter what the content. Rock on Rich!

[@calholli]

simp

[@vutivimashele709]

Has Rich finished a car since Stevon left?

[@mico5003]

This channel used to have pawn quality acting episodes, classic rock flute covers. Now we know it’s all about Stevon. Rich, where is Stevon? We want him back.

[@jonj-lab4633]

Learnt to drive i one of these. Fantastic cars, superb handling, took the rest of the industry until the end of the 80's to make front wheel drive cars that handled like this. Lots of good info in the comments. Not so sure about a turbo conversion, unless you get an Mg Metro turbo engine (also an A series). A 1380 conversion without would give you some serious power with reliabilty. There was a co. in the UK in the 80's called Avonbar, they made a very reliable and fast 1.4 litre (basically 1380).My dad's mate had a serious Cooper S back in the 70's that would hit 60 in under 7 seconds. Other things to check - rear subframe, notorious for rotting out & essential. Caused many a Mini to be scrapped back in the day, as it was expensive to replace. And the gearbox - they got caned in Coopers, worn ones were notorious for jumping out of 1st gear. So pay attention to that. Get the suspension sorted. It ain't a drag racer, but it's insane fun on twisty roads like in the UK. You don't have to slow down for corners much, and it's very communicative when driving. When it's done, head for the hills and the twisty stuff and you'll see what the Mini magic is all about. Remember - these babies won the Monte Carlo Rally more than once, and they competing against the likes of Porsche. Do the research! It's a fun rabbit hole to jump down, these are one of the most raced and rallied cars ever, and there's over half a century of know how to learn from!

[@BangerFleet]

Rich! Greetings from Jaffrey NH. If you need to borrow a Hydrolastic pump let me know.

[@CajunGreenMan]

Stevon update? Lawyers talking hard numbers yet?

[@andyschrick127]

channel hasnt been the same since the recorder music stopped

[@lippomclippo]

Love it! I owned 2 minis in the 80's & 90's, great little cars but absolute rust buckets. It's so strange to see Americans working on the little A Series engine. Pretty sure not a lot of the car is original, engine looks too new and that's an unusual carb. Looking forward to seeing the next instalment.

[@allanjones8382]

We've seen project binky, this is project mini, WHERE IS PROJECT STEVON? we need the flute man back

[@nickyroche2486]

The irish registration.from county cork. that car has done a lot of travelling

[@mktrollop1093]

How did an Irish mini end up in America and not re registered? Would love to heat the back story

[@callumw9067]

it's left hand drive as well which is really odd. stolen or an unusual history?

[@donalddaly873]

It also has very little rust for an Irish car, we salt our roads and Minis dissolve...

[@tomasdevine7756]

​@@callumw9067seriously odd makes no sense at all.

[@kieranjamieson]

I doubt we'll ever hear the full story. It's clearly a collection of parts from more than one car...

[@tomasdevine7756]

@@kieranjamieson A 69 for 5k that's cheap.

[@ianhammond7053]

they are awesome little cars, stick to the road like glue ! Back when i was fit and working as a mechanic i rebuilt a few of the engines same and of course LOADS of welding, the good thing is you can get all the panel's new :)

[@Cyberdeamon]

Project Binky almost got a whole new shell when they were done with it.

[@weedfreer]

They're also amazing for pulling donuts in the snow too 😉

[@toddclancy5237]

did you guys distastefully mention the Daytona? We miss Stevon.

[@lancecooper4646]

Is he coming back ?? It's like he never existed

[@bradsheridan8658]

this channel doesnt get much done without stevon. i miss him

[@nashvilleslim]

You're a good guy finally doing your buddies restoration Rich. I've always believed in you bring back Steven once you guys finish paying out Doe ray me. Love you guys. As a certified forklift operator I would have had it down in less than thirty seconds. It would have been fully restored by the time the tires hit the ground because that's how I roll! That engine is so cute I want to buy it a kitten to try to stay warm on top of it.

[@anonymouse7074]

No way, Stevon is raised from the dead. Just uploaded to his channel!

[@nashvilleslim]

@anonymouse7074 what's the name of his channel?

[@theinsaneshecklador6598]

@@nashvilleslim Box Eclectic

[@classicminidiy]

If you need any help turboing your classic mini I have done a couple now and I am doing another right now on my channel. Happy to chat! :-)

[@Dagowly83]

This 👍🏽

[@jsyjay]

I have a turbocharged classic mini! It makes 155hp @ 9psi so that's your benchmark 😉

[@SalemTechsperts]

Anytime Rich is speaking to a Bostonian, half the conversation has to be censored due to gratuitous profanity. It makes me proud 🥲

[@JimP419]

Hands down my favorite montage music on youtube always makes me smile

[@senanmurphy2228]

69-C-25 thats an irish import. 69 is the year of sale, C is the county of sale Cork or corcaigh (irish translation) and 25 is the 25 car sold in cork that year. Great history there

[@rapidrick]

Left hand drive though and we didn't have that reg system until the 80's. She must have been imported into Ireland sometime after the 80's at which point it would get the new style registration but back dated to its build date. How she got to the states is anyone's guess !

[@senanmurphy2228]

​@@rapidrick Christ i didnt even think of that you're dead right. I did think it was odd alright seeing 69 on the numberplate

[@chrischarlton6155]

Most mini's that Americans call "mini coopers" are just mini's, not Coopers... :-/

[@Chappers158]

Can’t wait to see who out of Project Binky and Rich Rebuilds never finishes their mini first

[@nicoleingham5592]

I’ve heard that a bmw k100 motorbike head will fit onto the block of the minis and that makes them dual cam and a lot better apparently

[@microbuilder]

Oh man, my dream car, thank you for this!!

[@anonymouse7074]

No way, Stevon is raised from the dead. Just uploaded to his channel!

[@KennethHolland800]

I SAW THAT. He lives! and crushes it

[@crunchyfrog555]

My first car was a Mini (but I am British) in the 1980s. A friend of mine back then had a Mini that he souped up, with a hugely bored out Austin Allegro engine that was turbocharged (and we're talking 1980s turbos). It was fucking frightening as it was of course fast, and had some lag which was .... interesting to the handling, and went way off the clock which topped out at 130. I never liked going in that car.

[@wobblysauce]

Yep power to weight small car fassssst

[@cognitivedissonancecamp6326]

130km/h 😂

[@weedfreer]

​​@@cognitivedissonancecamp6326yeah, nah...that's UK speed units so, it'll be 130mph. Quite frankly, the fact that they had the audacity to put 130mph on the dial from the factory back then even is simply ridiculous. 😅

[@no-worries-its-okay]

Looking forward to watching this project. Great editing btw.

[@flh2651]

My first was an 850 drop nose, plonked a 1380 in that for giggles. Got a slab nose 1275, dropped the 1380 in that. Ran these for ten years then realised I could've bought a brand new BMW in 1990 and spent the same money. But so much fun! :D

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

I hope your timeline is quicker than "Project Binky", otherwise we'll see it done in 2035.

[@alex_3688]

Part of me wishes Binky will never be finished, I dont want that era to end

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

@@alex_3688 I kind of agree, their videos are great…they could keep building it if they made videos more often!

[@alex_3688]

Bad Obsession Motorsport are proud of you for sure. gg

[@oscarscholten2059]

still missing my main man stevaughn!

[@hami]

Likely this is a 1969 MK2 Mini that had a front end collision in the 90s, and the front end was replaced current parts hence the newer badge and grill. Don’t think it’s a Cooper though as it only has a left hand fuel tank - Coopers have two fuel tanks, left and right. I suspect there’s a high likelihood the engine will be a 80s or 90s Mini Metro lump being the front end is 90s.

[@kieranjamieson]

Yeah it's about 8 different cars stuck together and none of them were Coopers....

[@adogmcdizzle]

Cooper S had twin tanks. Regular cooper a single tank.

[@br549rdr]

This was a great video Rich. Love seeing so much progress in one. Can’t wait to see the body after blasting. Oh wait yes I can wait bc I’m worried. 😂

[@juliusplaysgames]

Really nice project Rich. Can wait to see more of this!

[@olafvanes]

Project Binky learned us that Mini's are hygroscopic.

[@pavelmixlove]

Hey Richard got an idea for your channel Rebuild your subscribers old ride/car starting with my 2001 Honda CRV your channel will go viral…. Lol

[@oyzermans]

You got almost all the classic rust spots of a Mini

[@brentrenouf7127]

and they were surprised with the amount of bog on the body, once you start digging you wish you didn't start !

[@crisnmaryfam7344]

Nah, I loved watching Mighty Car Mods B series Mini Build. Speaking of which, cant beat a Vtec mini.

[@schnecks2180]

Somebody, get the Funk out!!!! :-)

[@janvanrees7055]

I had several mini`s in my life and the are the best for custom builds. So lets go for it Rich!

[@stephenhayston4314]

Coopers have twin tanks that’s a mini 1000

[@AFlyerSwe]

There is a British channel called Bad Obsession Motorsport. They have been renovating/modifying their mini for about 8 years. They fit a Toyota Celica AWD system to it. And a turbo. But they made it look really good.

[@deandwx]

I had a few of these. Put an mg metro turbo engine in one of them. It was stolen, never to be seen again. Loads of fun they were.

[@jasperdemann5936]

Pretty sure that's a Mini Cooper 'Tribute', and not actually a Mini Cooper. Sorry, Rich!

[@Cyberdeamon]

$5k will get you a complete Mini with rust no wof (mot) or registration in NZ. I sold my old 72 Mini LE for $2.6k nz a few years before they skyrocketed in price for rot boxes

[@tomstanden4850]

The MG metro in the UK had a turbo version. It's still the a-series engine, so may be worth trying to source those parts for more power.

[@vincentohara2520]

My first car was a 1970 Mini Clubman - any engine work - you just drop the front sub frame and lift the body off - you made this hard work!

[@patbutete1722]

I beg to differ! We pulled Mini engines up the top.Far far easier than faffing around dropping sub frames and lifting body shells.....2 bolts and nuts underneath the clutch housing the most challenging.Other than that,easy peasy and you can still move the car on i'ts wheels while faffing around with the engine/gearbox whatever.

[@vincentohara2520]

You can literally lift the front of the car by hand - like a big wheelbarrow - it was the factory recommended method - no decoupling drive shafts. @@patbutete1722

[@jadmjt14]

Dude what ever happened to the Japanese cars. I subbed cause I saw those and went back and watched all the vids. Here we are no cars

[@jimcolangelo7003]

Super stoked to see this restoration - you're making me want to restore my '66 Fiat 1500 now.. it's been so many years. I think it's nearly time.

[@Henchman1977]

Gasket kit? Cardboard and scissors son.

[@procatprocat9647]

Fake 69 mini You have a complete mix of eras in that car. It's mini soup 😂

[@paulrobinson3528]

Both those Tie bars going from the lower arms to the front of the front subframe are very bent, should be straight. Will make the steering pull badly if not sorted.

[@charlesk7623]

Make sure to put a new fuse box in. They go rusty over time and cause all kinds of random electrical gremlins.

[@Who.is.Clinton]

Best project in years this Mr Rich, hoping you bring this Mini back supremely well!

[@randomname4726]

I see the Stevon finder 2000, it's time to upgrade to the 3000 model.

[@ericholmes715]

Not 100% until he withdraws the forks ? Lmao.

[@weedfreer]

Rich totally needs to get Look Mum No Computer over to help him on this one 😅

[@joeclutchless1944]

My first car was a worn out 67 Mini Cooper I bought for $300. I bought two parts cars for another $300 to get the first car running. Mine had twin SU carbs and a cast iron header. Unfortunately with three cars to work with I could not get the ignition system to work in the rain. I installed an aftermarket electronic ignition that helped a lot. You can straight pipe the exhaust or add a resonator but no muffler for extra noise. The rear motor mount near the shifter will self destruct if you add horsepower.i made a solid steel one to fix the problem. The front seats can be moved back two inches for more legroom by making a simple bracket. Then another bracket to lower the steering wheel and you have sports car seating and an unusable back seat. Have fun I know I did.

[@YRR_J]

A man named David Vizard is seemingly one of the most hardcore N/A tuners when it comes to Mini (BMC A-Series) engines.

[@NickWainwright6970]

He had a great book about tuning them

[@zogzoogler]

Green n white Rallycross minis back in the day….. 1380 bore, bmw k1100 16v head off the motorbike, twin 40 webbers, straight cut box. 140bhp bobs yer uncle, fannies yer aunt

[@ElliotSTR]

Hope this doesn't end up with one of those god awful Jet motors turbo kits!

[@TroyConvers5000]

Ah, a proper car for once!

[@imarula]

Lol

[@Dwigt_Rortugal]

Man, I want one of these now. They must handle like a go-kart. If only I had time for hobbies. I took a look at that wiring harness and laughed. My 1979 garden tractor has more wiring. (Not really, but it looks pretty unintimidating)

[@TroyConvers5000]

@@Dwigt_Rortugal I've owned three. I want a fourth. 😂

[@michaelhuey1939]

Rich sent off a mini for sandblasting 🤣 he only getting half that car back,

[@canoeshoe]

That's a bit dangerous... might have been another Stephen situation

[@bloodreighn]

one thing ive learned about mini's after restoring one, the rust, NEVER ends. if those front wings have starte to rot, then the rear section where the boot lid and the floor and the rear valance is fucked too, you joked about getting a new body, but honestly, you can buy them brand new for 17k, its not actually s bad idea

[@Ralph2]

I wouldn't put a turbo on it but then I'm a dinosaur. A mildly breathed on 1275 Cooper 'S' engine is a hoot in that tiny shell and you won't miss the lag.

[@tombrenes2411]

Great build series My 2 cents Id swap a gsxr engine track widebody kit vintage racing paint and stickers

[@notime2d8]

Dang, it really had bird 💩 on it. 😂😂

[@666kty3]

WOW,,,WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, YOU'RE KIND OF A HACK.....

[@Sycco]

Is it too hard to Inject this car? If the plan is to waste a lot of money to make a little more power, seems like a valid option.. Will most likely be better than good carburators

[@TheNorville2]

One of these 1969 Mini Coopers sold for £29k the other day at auction....these things are not cheap now.

[@misterbreakit2006]

You need Joshua on this project. Get him a copy of "Bondo for Dummies" and he'll be all set for his nap.

[@MowingMichael]

Love to see more classic restorations

[@martinda7446]

PS I just had a flash back of a mate who de-seamed and restored a Mini in 1980 ish.. He drove that thing full throttle everywhere. It was a sight to behold. They are bonkers cars that are so much fun its crazy. I'd have one over a Ferrari, which is lucky for me because they are still... a bit cheaper...

[@sajedb]

Rich: Not bad for the price I paid ( 100 times) Everyone in the shop: literally not giving a Fcuk 😂😂

[@zenmark42]

You should swap in a Celica GT4 drivetrain. How long could it take? A week?

[@dickybird6916]

Celica gt4s need to be restored. Rare and worth more than a mini

[@LeendaLucia]

I’m so bothered by this thumbnail lol

[@carleh2008]

i am sure i could come up with some thumbnail ideas for you to participate in my dear :)

[@edh7492]

A classic mini is one of if not the most well catered for vehicles in terms of replacement parts, you can basically build a new car from scratch if you want.

[@eoincaldwell823]

but can you get it finished before project binky.

[@ninoc9719]

What happened to Stevon 🤔

[@OraEtLabora0]

is hippie Stevon returning ever again? i doubt...

[@TheStuartstardust]

12:24 - I did not think that was the quarter panel.. /s

[@mrrolandlawrence]

Props to you fella. My 1st car was a mini. I see you got the Mk2 there with Mk3 rear lights! 100hp eh? That red block also means its quite likely to be a 1275 A+ block (possibly out of a austin metro). No way is that an SU carb on the engine either. Check with the mini cooper register to see if its a "real cooper" too. Oh yeh get a heritage shell. Unless you are making a series of videos as a creator... Its a typical rusty mini there. A-panels gone, rear valance, battery box, sills, wing headlight area, etc.

[@trusttech9942]

Sssssttttteeessvvvvoooonnnnn!!!

[@tw06le1]

The Bike motor would be cool for this

[@Dwigt_Rortugal]

That would be both utter blasphemy and completely awesome. Imagine hearing that engine red-lining and blasting past you.

[@peteregan3862]

Great car Rich. Looking forward to the restore part

[@ThomasEdwardsYo]

I say whack a mini supercharger and blower on that block 😎

[@JeffKopis]

Taking apart old cars is great fun. Putting them back together SUCKS! Its great to be a scrapper! 😂

[@Dwigt_Rortugal]

Watching Legit Street Cars try to reassemble his DeLorean was hilarious. Nothing lined up, shims everywhere. Each car must have been "custom" built with love. 😂

[@baldyjay]

This car should have got the hyabusa engine

[@eddie5484]

Finding coins under the carpet doubled the value of the car.

[@Slikx666]

Rich. There's a car that might give you some inspiration, Bad Obsession Motorsport have Project Binky. I was thinking of things like central locking, heating, cooling and other things. I can't wait to see the car finished as they're a really good fun car. 👍

[@MrAdopado]

Don't tell him how many years Project Binky soaked up!

[@MrAdopado]

That will be a 1275 engine from a Metro. Look into bore to 1380 with plenty options available to get to your 100hp without turbo, which would be a very much better option IMO. Instant torque from almost zero revs makes it a super responsive drive.

[@thomaswilding8818]

Yep. Definitely a 1275 non S motor.

[@CrustyKustomsGarage]

Hey Uncle Rich. I would be interested in that weber carb if you end up replacing it.

[@latitudeash]

You guys always have fun working on cars. Great team effort 👍🏼

[@tremtremson1818]

I miss stevon

[@dj_paultuk7052]

There was a car in the UK called a "MG Metro Turbo", and it used a Turbo version of this engine, so its definitely doable. Seem to remember they used a single SU Carb.

[@nazcaplain]

How many Project Binky fans are watching? This is at least as cool as Watch JR Go's Austin Sprite project, huzzah!