We Bought The Cheapest Classic Mini We Could Find. It Turns Out It Was VERY Broken, Here's Why!

[@rajendradathkalipersad1294]

Shop owner has a great sense of humor and witty.

[@muddyducker3336]

He works on old British cars....he has to have a sense of humor...or die crying.

[@Stuka87]

Really like the shop owner.

[@TFLclassics]

So do we. Ted’s the best.

[@dograishan8504]

The shop owner comes off very natural in front of the camera

[@patd4u2]

My friend in the hanger I worked in on RAF Alconbury back in the 70's had a Mini cooper 1000, He lived in Corby and would race a guy in the morning to the base who had a Yank Tank, the guy would pull away from him on the straights but he would catch him on the twisty parts of the road. I had a 1977 mini 800. it was so primitive but fun to drive.

[@timothyokane9710]

Don't you mean an 850 mini.

[@patd4u2]

timothy okane Oops, you're right it was an 850, over 40 years ago memories getting a little fuzzy.

[@kevinrebe2246]

The wheels are Rosepetals. Expensive and desirable.

[@rubiconwhiskey7135]

Thank you for telling him to leave the wheels alone!!!

[@jacobchampion4022]

True, however these are 12 inch and are very accessible and about £90 here in the uk, gonna get a set for mine soonish. The original 10 inch genuine original ones are the more desirable. 👍

[@Craig-wp3pz]

Yeah, choice rims, but I bet this guy puts on a set of Minilites (13"s) just like EVERYBODY else!!! At least he's not started calling it a Cooper!! (Yet)

[@Craig-wp3pz]

@@jacobchampion4022 as long as you can find a set of 7.5" discs to fit the wheels, the 7" disc set up is crap, fades in no time, well adjusted drums are actually BETTER than both disc set ups, but they are hands on!, gotta be adjusting 2-3times a week if you drive in a sporting fashion! KEEP that $5 drum adjuster in the door pocket!

[@kingedwin]

Is he really a British car expert? "If you're patient and you have a lot of swear words, you can get it done." Yep.

[@bign3ck]

I'm fixing my R53 Cooper s and my swear words have increased in range and diversity.

[@MarioFunk]

I have one of the later classic Minis, and working on it is an exercise in needing 5 inches of space to work on it, only having 4, and you can either look at what you're working on, or feel what you're working on, but never both at the same time.

[@Craig-wp3pz]

He dropped sub frame!?!? Drop exhaust off, loads of room, takes ten mins to drop it off the manifold, then loads of room!!!

[@Craig-wp3pz]

@@shitloveaduck you know what an ex-spurt is??? It's a drip that got worse!!

[@jakesangberg8973]

That engine bay gives me anxiety and claustrophobia😂

[@Craig-wp3pz]

It's child's play!! Harder for adults with full sized limbs

[@ChrisXif1]

I'd love to spend some time in that shop...some seriously fun cars! Ted is a great find for your channel!

[@JohnBtons]

Really cool get with the Mini and loved the local look into the team that helped fix it!

[@chrisw3771]

I had so many minis when I was younger, they cost nothing in the 80's. Snapped the cam gear clean off a TR7 & had the rolling oil leak that is the MGB as daily transport. The best classic British sports car? The Mazda MX5..

[@123willbishop]

Great car. It also needs the white bonnet stripes, the twin cooper style pin stripes down the sides along with the cooper badge on the rear quarter panels. And of course the twin spot lamps.

[@MarioFunk]

Great video, and I love the genuine banter about British cars; spoken by people who know what they're talking about and not reiterating the stuff they read online.

[@BrandanM94]

As a Denver native it never surprises me the cool people you meet here in Colorado. Current Thornton resident and I am Colorado born and raised. Love it 👍🏻

[@badgerpa9]

Ted was just as funny during the engine swap video. I bet the ford Andre drives could drive over that car even with the camper still in the bed. You should try that, it would be a cool video.

[@Foxtrot2312]

I'm new to the TFL classic channel, what engine swap video? Sounds like something I wanna see!

[@camlegs2423]

I was surprised to see the Hillman Imp up in the air behind you! When I was a kid they were used for rallying. Now you never see them arround in the UK, except for the odd car show. I think they had air cooled engine?

[@jackeccleshall5866]

See I tried this cheapest mini approach, and now I've been stuck fixing it since April 😂😂

[@5ebra1]

These two guys talking is great. I could listen to there views on cars all day. That mini looks very different under the bonnet to a British one. Much more room to work on. No Aircon and carburettor instead of fuel injection.

[@samuelballantine2686]

Its just a late model mini they had the feul injection and electric ignition in the UK too

[@1chish]

Its a Japanese market SPI as it still has the side radiator. So there are emission and aircon kits added in there. Later Minis were the MPIs which had a load more electronics and pipework and a front mounted radiator.

[@johndoyle4723]

I owned loads of Minis, well most Brits of my age grew up with them, and learned how to keep them on the road, yes it was tight under the bonnet/hood, you almost had to lift the engine to change the speedo cable. Do not even mention rear sub frames or CV joints, or the drive shaft couplings, or the exhaust manifold coupling, or changing the clutch, or the fact that the engine was was worn out after 40K miles. Sellers used to spray the engine block gold, to look like a Gold seal engine, it soon failed, but it inspired a generation of home mechanics. If you have a rust free model, well done. Yes the MGB was great.

[@sswwooppee]

Love your vids, especially when Tommy isn’t being mean to his dad on the trail. Take the Mini to Hells Revenge!

[@sswwooppee]

Sean Cooke you’re no fun.

[@sswwooppee]

Sean Cooke I have absolutely no attachment to it... So give it 3 foot lift and monster truck tires, take it to Hells Revenge and discover the engine can’t roll the enormous tires! 😀

[@johninama585]

You're wrong Tommy, RHD makes it more desirable. At least for me. :)

[@MarkSmith-io3qd]

My first car was a 1975 Mini 1100 Clubman. Needed a lot of work, but only cost me £75 back in 1987. My parents had a couple of Austin 1100’s back in the 1970’s. I’ve now got a 1989 Citroën BX 16 Valve Gti and a 2000 Citroën XM.

[@djuell01]

If they're real Watanabe wheels they're awesome and highly wanted. They're awesome wheels! Also they have a sub frame for them that will fit a Vtec engine then it would never break down again. They have kits I hear.

[@123willbishop]

Not to mention the added bonus of having a 5 speed gearbox, the possibility of having power steering, and is generally more cost effective than modifying the existing morris derived mini unit.

[@MarioFunk]

Only way to fit power steering in a Mini is with an electric column. No hydro assist. But then again, if you need power steering in a Mini, it's a lot simpler and easier to just bulk up your arms... 😉

[@johnwren3976]

Most people who convert to VTEC end up selling the car in couple years. Too much motor. A friend transplanted Suzuki 3cyl & 1400cc 4cyl twin cams into a couple. Added turbos. Lighter unit, 5 spd and all the power needed. I've owned them since 1970ish. Imported them for a while. Nothing better than a proper tuned 1380 twin 1 3/4 HIF SUs, with fully adjustable suspension. A Dragon killer for sure 😉👍

[@123willbishop]

John Wren yeah I completely agree, you do lose alot of the characteristic of the mini with such a radical swap. Often the route to go vtec or any engine other than the A series should definitely come with some thought and consideration. I personally prefer the setup of the 16v head conversations that companies like specialist components have developed, it retains the A series block and gearbox, but the head is an absolute riot!

[@jacobmoses3712]

Nice to see the Hillman Imp on the hoist

[@patrickirish8110]

Tommy. A cheap, brown suit. Few words, but oddball facial expressions. Bean 2.0 is what I've been waiting for. You know what you must do, lad! Also, Ted's awesome, and a hoot! Great to see him back on the channel.

[@Defender-Guy]

I just bought a Japanese spec Spi engine & auto trans to go in my wife’s ‘79 Moke. It’ll be interesting to see how it runs. Great video guys!

[@johnpearson492]

I have a 62 Austin Healey Sprite, it's a brilliant British car to daily drive. Reliable, chuckable, makes all the right sounds, and looks the part. I've not driven an MGB, ridden in one, it seemed much more civilized and less raw. I have had the opportunity to drive a very nice MGA, hard, it was fun but more like driving an agile fast tractor compared to the Sprite which feels like a sports car. The Mini looks like fun and is a dream of mine to drive some day. I am looking forward to more Mini videos.

[@Bibiweebee]

That owner has such a nice personality. Makes you feel comfortable and happy.

[@gtiguy18t1]

Mine is sort of a race car but has some nice coil overs so it rides pretty nice. Just no heat, ac or radio but the engine sound is my replacement for the radio. Don’t drive in snow either anyway.

[@nagaraworkshop]

I agree entirely about which British classics are worth it. I have a tiny classic car business here in the UK and have driven nearly all of the cars mentioned. BTW, The Hillman Imp on the ramp deserves a mention - they drive like a little 911; not much power but the overhead cam engine is a little gem and in standard trim they will outrun and out-handle a stock Mini of the same engine capacity.

[@mikebell2750]

Cool acquisition, but under the hood it's pretty scary looking with that much crammed into such a small engine bay. The MGB at the end of the video looks really interesting, maybe do a feature on it.

[@jontg429]

Love the shop owner. Looks like he has gone out on his own as he used to work at another shop featured on this channel year back. Great vid!

[@StoneysWorkshop]

Always a pleasure to see Ted!!!

[@TheEulerID]

I barely recognise the engine bay of that Mini. I used to work on some produced in the 1960s, and whilst they didn't exactly have a huge amount of space round them, you could at least see the engine block, and it was all relatively easy and cheap to fix. What killed Minis was not the mechanical bits, but the dreaded tin worm. nb. for anybody who wants to see what can be fitted into a classic Mini shell, then look for Project Binky on KZbin. This project, to install the running gear from a Toyota Celica ST185 GT4 into a Mini shell with the original outline, apart from wheel arch extensions, has now been running for over 7 years with 32 episodes. It too has air conditioning. There are probably more hand-made bespoke parts on that project than any other car in existence, and you can waste weeks of your life watching them all being made.

[@andyhillhouse9813]

I cant believe he never mentioned the Hillman Imp on the ramp behind them. One of my dream classics

[@jeep2003]

Very cool! That engine bay does look a nightmare but you guys dont do your own work so it doesnt matter too much. I love my 66 its so simple and fun

[@FrankGracias]

What ever happened to the Mini “Garbage Pile” as Tommy called it?!.

[@travelingkaspersworld4096]

Very pleasant shop owner. Our minis are rough rough rough compared to yours. Thanks for including the prices!

[@BennysBenz]

Who has a Hillman Imp in the US? I saw it on the lift.

[@Richie-Rich]

Those are common wheels for the Mini back when they were still building them. If you have to change the wheels sell the originals that are on the car now as mini owners will snap them up. That is one car on my list to get. Being a Brit myself love the car and many marks of other English cars.

[@eduardorozas76]

Actually those are special wheels and fenders so you should keep them! Should get the hood stripes and the rally lights for a cool look. And it's not difficult to make the RHD to LHD conversion. Enjoy the project!

[@philtripe]

its not difficult... you just have to change everything... even the dashboard... quick, ten minute job huh?

[@eduardorozas76]

@@philtripe Haha almost... a 15 minutes job. Anyways, it absolutely worths it if you want to drive the car on the streets with no issues

[@cheyennedogsoldiers]

My second car was a Mini. My first was a british Ford Consul GT. Got it when I was 13 without an engine. dropped in a Ford 302 and box from a Falcon. With side exiting Cherry bomb exhaust it was a little loud, but took my driving test in it and passed LOL. Sadly had to sell it cos at 17 and living in 80's England insurance was a little expensive. So friends where like, buy a Mini, it's great, you'll love it, you'll have more than than you did with the Consul. They lied! Owned it for 3 weeks and swapped it for a Cosworth BDA powered Mk3 Ford Cortina GT. Damn I miss those days.

[@poppyneese1811]

He’s got to have a great mind, sense of humor, terrific amount of mechanical ability and a hidden desire to commit horrific crimes, the making of a Great British Car Mechanic!!!😂🤣😂 that is such a pretty car!!! As a kid our neighbor had one, my dad made so much fun of that car, but I’d have killed to owned a MG back then. Ok Roman and this guy need to do a Pod Cast, really good togeather!

[@ahernandez5404]

Happy to see Ted back on TFL. Maybe review that red MGB?

[@325xitgrocgetter]

I remember Ted and the Diamond in the Rough Lincoln Series..that was the inspiration to get my long dormant Dodge Dakota up and running!

[@shawnskiba5874]

That shop needs more KZbin time.

[@bign3ck]

Corrado vr6 lives up to the dream, incredible car that still feels and handles like a modern car.

[@gregholloway2656]

Cool to see Ted back. Last time I saw him was during the engine swap on Big Green.

[@yorkchris10]

Really concise lemon guide. I agreed with everything he said. Quite a find - the last generation "English" Mini.

[@chrisreaney1980]

(that is Japanese)

[@TRSWOODWORKING]

You did great on the purchase and repair price. I would estimate the value of that car above around 14-15K US.

[@7spower998]

Hey Tommy, you would be further ahead buying a Gen.1 or Gen.2 GTI and a lot fewer headaches.

[@tomscalisi8532]

Haven't even watched the video yet, but this is the best vehicle imo in your lineup!!

[@MarioFunk]

Also, love that the shop owner flies the flag for the MGB! Bs deserve more respect for what they are, and he gets it.

[@ernestodelahoz9155]

Finally that’s awesome 👏 Can’t wait to see the video of it running Funny thing is mine is a 91 but it is carburated not injected

[@nielsdebakker3283]

This is a jdm mini, in that period japan was already switched over to injection and catalytic converters. (My 91 uno 70s had single point injection and a cat)

[@ernestodelahoz9155]

Mine is from japan too actually is the same color white roof and black

[@davidpackphoto]

YES YES YES!!! If you ever need anything feel free to reach out! I am in SLC and I own/ work on these all the time! this is the funnest car you will ever drive.

[@TFLclassics]

How do you get it to pass emissions?

[@davidpackphoto]

@@TFLclassics Utah has a vintage rule for cars 25 years and older. Once the car is 25 years old you can apply to be exempt if the car is only being used for shows, occasional drives and such. In your case, Colorado restricted this exemption back in late 2018 to 1975 or older vehicles only. Since it's a 91 you will have to abide by 91's emissions standards. I would talk to your DMV rep to see what you can do or if there are other exemptions they have for promotional or show vehicles. As far as adjustments to clean it up, It's injected, you really cannot adjust/change anything other than making sure the plugs, wires, and valve adjustment are all sorted properly. You can backdate it to a carb but since you have A/C that will be a pain and require hard to find parts. There are "alternative" registration options if all else fails.

[@joskjj3625]

Who spotted the Hillman imp in the video?

[@greathornedowl3644]

Wow, nice video. Ted seems like a great guy.

[@Kevintherubiconjeep]

that was a great video. Great humor.

[@zacknrudi]

I would love to know more about the Hillman Imp that's up on the lift behind Roman's head.

[@TFLclassics]

So would we. Next video perhaps?

[@hypoidsound]

It is the dressed up Imp sibling...a Singer Chamois, and in left hand drive no less :-O

[@andrewmoffatt7046]

That mini is beautiful and you could possibly double the money they fetch a hell of a lot of money here in the UK

[@speterbilt]

The shop owner is funny! Have him on more

[@ashas7730]

yes definitely keep those wheels, whatever color u guys choose should look classy. + ive been seeing minis like that go for 10k+

[@jsrroadrash3663]

Ted has some great lines..what's your opinion on a Fiat 124 Spyder the mid to early 70's ...

[@benholdaway7570]

You need to have Paul do a mini shoot out with your two minis at the race track

[@angelsone-five7912]

I built a Mini and made up the subframe complete and dropped the body on, so easy and with no help.

[@mostlybrokenbritishcars3220]

Damn those later Mini's have a horrifying engine bay! My 1980 Mini 1000 is so easy to work on coz it's so basic under the bonnet (hood for Americans). Without the modern fuel injection, AC, etc.. there's actually a lot of space.

[@lincolnshirepoacher894]

Your mini needs a 1380cc big bore kit;) but you'll need the A+ head and push-rods from an MG Metro.

[@malcolmscott4150]

Triumph Stag next challenge if you can find one - I love them but that Mini sure is cute and a bargain as it would be $30k here in Australia

[@jamesengland7461]

Very fun interaction!

[@chrisflemington819]

Your MGB is great I have a GT also fitted with Marchal Senior Fantastic driving lights as well as trip meters etc as I do tours with it and also with my other MG a Midget both were built in 1973. They’re also used as daily runners the GT for longer runs and also if the weather is not so good. But the Midget is a great car for throwing about on a 15 mile circuit I use on some local common land. Both are great cars and I wouldn’t be without either of them. The Mini wheels are copies of the minilite wheels used on the works rally cars and would have been a silver/grey colour not the black they’re currently finished in. I would add Lucas 400 driving lights to keep it in period or Cibie if you can’t find any Lucas lights which would have been fitted by the competitions department at Abingdon. My Midget has Cibie driving lights fitted. By the way I recently saw a pair of Marchal Senior Fantastic driving lights for sale in the states and they wanted $1200 for them! Mine cost me nothing I’ve had them since 1966 when they were used on my rally cars in those days a Ford 105E Anglia and latterly a Cortina modified to GT specification.

[@danatkinson6698]

Says the British make car building a game. (Binky) stares back at Nick as he installs the safety turbo.

[@bosse641]

Such a fun little car these. Would love to own one.

[@CarltonWhitfield]

Excited to see the return of TED,

[@wubaru]

Video of Nate racing the Mini off-road is now needed! This car will make up for him selling the Suzuki samurai.

[@abqcrutch]

"If your patient and have a lot of swear words saved up..." Best phrase ever!

[@DutchDukeMan]

How are those JDM mini aircons? like are they good enough to keep the windows up when it's like 95 degrees

[@paulsutton5896]

No mention of how a Hillman Imp came to be on the car-lift.

[@the_jarmel]

U have to keep that clip of him Saying and than u can put your eyes on it lol haha

[@yeahman1975]

1971 White Jaguar XJ6 with a correctky installed GM driveline. If i could own one British car.

[@billp5424]

The Sammy, the Saab, the Rocky and now another Mini. I have some swamp land in Jersey you guys maybe interested in.

[@TFLclassics]

You know most youtubers spend more on taxes on their lambos and bentleys and Ford GTs than we do on all of our classics combined and we still have more fun and more cool cars

[@billp5424]

TFLclassics: I guess if I keep making these snarky comments you’ll never use my Tacoma video. All in fun, to each his own.

[@TomWoodwardLooksmarvlus]

Oh I had the worst memories when you talked about the Triumph Spitfire. I purchased one new in 1978, gorgeous car but absolutely hands down the worst car ever made. In the 1 year I owned it the car spent 7 months on the dealer's shop.

[@dograishan8504]

Would be awesome if you guys can find a TVR to review with this guy inspecting it

[@baddgcarma]

Running with working ac I would say north of 12.5k easy.

[@jbutler9756]

Funny, I was just wondering whatever happened to videos with Ted!

[@TFLclassics]

Now you know

[@effervescence5664]

Damn, depending on the spec you could get £12k so maybe $15k there? Original rose petal wheels though damn, hard find, a new set is over £1k on their own.

[@jtr990]

What about the Triumph Staaaaaag?

[@nmc356]

How did they not mention the best car right there on the car hoist. The Hillman Imp.

[@siraff4461]

Ted seems familiar. Wasn't he on ages ago fixing up something for you?

[@jonathanking625]

My friend used to carry our slalom kayaks on his mini, it looked ridiculous

[@Polecat54941]

This is why I have a 78 Mini :)

[@kevinblock2307]

I want a Mr. Bean car now too! So jealous

[@chrisSVT]

Smile! You're on Candid Camera!

[@giofranco6887]

You guys must acquire a Lada and test that blyat off road! Great video! Stay cheeki breeki

[@flinkinblipable]

Utd shirt... I'd take my mini to these guys.

[@dcanmore]

What! Absolutely nothing on the rear-engined Hillman Imp/Singer Chamois on the lift behind them, Minis big rival in the mid 1960s. Come on guys!

[@originalkk882]

Was that a Hillman Imp up on the lift??

[@loveandbaconbrian1901]

Seems like an EV conversion candidate - it would be a blast to see a video series on that in the future as you represent what “Everyman” would have to go through / hire out, etc

[@homelesszaya.6548]

No. Electric minis are a no no. Keep your combustion killing to yourself

[@Julian-do7bv]

Really like the mini and the shop owner he's cool

[@dquad]

Hey guys, I've got a classic RWD Toyota Starlet here in NZ (was featured by HubNut about a year ago). You guys want a video of it?

[@TFLclassics]

Yes please

[@thebeddoctor4273]

I drove 1 of these years ago. Very weird. 4 wheel drum brakes.

[@Craig-wp3pz]

MG, best brit car??!??!?!??!?!?!? Dude, you need to get out more!!!!