The Classic Mini Is Already Giving Us Problems, But It's Not What You Think!

The Classic Mini's look so much better than the retro re-release.

[@TornadoCAN99]

You do know there are lots of US based classic mini parts sellers? MiniMania, Seven Mini Parts. Moss Motors, etc etc. Ordering for the UK is also good...MiniSpares is about the biggest seller and have just about everything. For emissions, do all the standard stuff...new plugs, timing, air cleaner, run some injector cleaners through a couple of tanks. Regarding tires, there are a few brands for 12" sizes...Falken is a popular brand...for about $100 per corner. Yokohama make good sets, but kind of steep priced.

[@richeastmain4031]

Leave the steering wheel in, don’t mess with the black rims and move to a different county.

[@eduardorozas76]

Someone had to say it!

[@mattv5281]

You should incorporate TFL in Moab, UT and register your cars there.

[@Banom7a]

or moved to the county in CO without emissions, only the Front Range area require emission in CO

[@Stuka87]

Utah has stricter emissions testing than Colorado does. You have to test all the way back to 1967.

[@davidpackphoto]

@@Stuka87 Utah has a vintage car exemption for cars that are 30 years or older.

[@bmartin7828]

In Indiana we have no emissions testing except for a few counties near Chicago and South Bend. Incorporate a business here and be free to buy what you want.

[@trentelswick7673]

Great you’re advocating sending a bunch of Polish American Jews to Mormon cult territory. Not a good idea. Lol 😝

[@MarioFunk]

The black Nardi wheel is not OEM; Minis from this era had 3 spoke plastic/vinyl wheels as OE. And the wood wheel is probably a Moto-Lita or LeCarra or Tourist Trophy or the like.

[@cysimpson3556]

That’s right. If this is a cooper they had the same steering wheel as the mk1 MG Metro in the UK with red stitched black leather with a cooper centre cap. From late 96 when the cars moved to mpi injection they then moved to an airbag wheel.

[@MarioFunk]

@@cysimpson3556 exactly. Couldn't remember if the rim was leather or not. Thanks!

[@lefizz55]

My first car was a 1972 mini 1000. I got it when I was 16 years old, I was born in 1972 also. I spent a year doing it up with my dad. Had such a lot of fun in that car, those cars had 10" wheels and Dunlop SP tyres were about the best you could get. Used to get through a set every 8 months. About as long as the engine mounts would last. I used to spend about 1 weekend in 3 fixing something on it but it taught me a lot and it was amazingly exhilarating to drive. I had a Golf GTi 16v a few years later which was much faster but it wasn't nearly as fun to drive on twisty country lanes.

[@jliscorpio]

For the price of a used car you can buy a derelict house in Kentucky. KY has no state inspections. Since you tend to buy and sell on these cars then you keep living in CO... there is no law that says you can't go on road trip that takes years.

[@TFLclassics]

We love Kentucky but we’re not in the house review biz 😉

[@nlpnt]

They can't move away from the Ike, that's their whole USP. They could open a branch office in Silverthorne though, isn't that in a non-emissions-test county?

[@philtripe]

and what LIVE in Kentucky? they live in Colorado... thats like moving out of a mansion and into a double wide

[@kennethmetzger4944]

TFLclassics Charlotte North Carolina

[@c19commander44]

Knoxville much better place. they are in the buy and sell car business.

[@johnpearson492]

I'm very excited for this series. As an Austin Healey Sprite owner, I'll be following all of these mini videos. Also good choice keeping the BMC wheel, that wood one is painfully tacky and dated. I'm personally also a fan of the wheels on it.

[@davidhendrie6935]

Hi! The wheels are the originals. They brought those out in the final days of the original line of minis. Although most often they were chrome! Eeech! At the time, I had a 1967 Mk1 with hydrolastic suspension. Great ride! I went for a test drive with my brother in one of the last minis. Had those horrible solid rubber things they put in instead! Rode like a tractor with too much air in the tires! Those 2 tones echo the body/roof combo and that is most likely factory. 😀

[@volvo09]

What a cute little car! You can try the E85 trick on this thing too. Not sure if it will make a big enough difference to make it pass, but I'd start around 30% ethanol and retry. depending upon how far the fuel trims can take it you may be able to go higher and up near 50%, but it'll trigger a lean code if you go too high on alcohol content and you'll have to drive off that fuel and add more gasoline to the tank.

[@generalsquirrel9548]

Uhmm. That thing doesnt run on e10 let stand on E30 or E85. It would litterally kill and or clog the fuel pipe. Not joking sadly. Personally I want to daily a classic mini (im a dutchman living in the netherlands so I don't get killed by massive F-150s and chevy silverado's)

[@tomcardale5596]

Good Brexit reference 😂

[@gtiguy18t1]

Options for tires on minimania. They have a few different types. I have some mean looking 12” tires on my mini. Yokohama advan A048R on mine.

[@nlumby]

...rose petal wheels are either black or silver ...prefer the Nardi steering, always worry about the wooden ones in an impact!

[@yorkchris10]

I had one of the last MGB's produced. It had a single carb, an air pump and no electronic ignition. Emissions camshaft. A large city like Vancouver tested, but they were mostly making sure it ran as intended by the manufacturer. Napa was my friend when looking for replacement parts that functioned with less moving parts.

[@nielsdebakker3283]

Additional lights No. Racing stripes, NOno. Perfect as it is. I'm with Roman, modern mini's are far far away from the original.

[@hayrich1]

Hi Tommy I had an 850 mini back in my younger day the wheel you are looking for is VTO Wheels Classic 8, 13 x 7, 4 x101.6mm, LEYLAND, JENSEN, MINILITE and you can fit a 165/45/13 tire this will keep you on spec and the 13" Dia tires are easier to acquire than 12" dia.

[@siraff4461]

White wheels, white bonnet stripes and a centre exit exhaust. Job done. Not sure if they still do but Yokohama used to make some pretty sticky tyres in 12 inch. Play with profiles on the tyre sites and you should find some.

[@joearmstrong1544]

I live in Colorado too, I hate the emissions requirements. I ended up registering my pickup out state because I didn’t wanna dump a thousand bucks into making it compliant.

[@BrandanM94]

Hello from Thornton 🤘🏻

[@joearmstrong1544]

Brandan M650 I’m in Arvada 🤟🤟

[@anthonyc1883]

At the address of a family member, or maybe a friend?

[@mikefoley360]

"Brexit from the flywheel" I like that. Not a fan of the mini though, think you're mad picking one up. Good luck (Lucas.....) Wheels, get some mini-lites

[@matthewdutoit]

I had a 1982 mini. Love her. It's 1275E with GTS gearbox. It's blogging quick for tiny car. Try to keep her long time. The rims there on your mini, it's mini lites. It's hard to find 12 inch tyres in South Africa.

[@neilmac4730]

My father has a 1990 F350 with a 460 cubic inch. To get it to pass air care he would take it to his mechanic where he would lean it out to the point of hardly running. He would thentake the test where it passed every time. Then back to the mechanic where he would set the timing back to where it would run.

[@bmartin7828]

Love the Edd China reference, Result!!

[@ColJonSquall1]

Can we have a new series of Tommy Vs the EPA or Colorado's branch of it for emissions? Its pretty interesting to see how they plan on enforcing regulations for vehicles that never had those regulations, much less would never pass them. Its kinda like how the EPA wants the previous gen Eco-Diesel to run its EGR system all the time, which robs the engine of power and causes premature detonation when the intake gets clogged full of soot. When it was passing regulations fine prior to the EPA thinking EGR systems are end all for emissions.

[@johnwren3976]

A 91 is exempt from fed EPA standards. >25 years old. Actually Minis didnt have FI before October 1991... This is strictly state issue. 🤬

[@gavinivers8941]

Those wheels are made in the UK. Available from John Brown Wheels. Those Japanese spec Minis were made in the UK, and exported to Japan

[@davidnoel6937]

Does it have A/C? Those wheels are aluminum mini-lite copies and the outer lip should polish up nicely. The interior has the aluminum door bits that were offered as a kit from John Cooper Garages back in the day, and the wood wheel and boss were part of the kit as well. I believe they also offered walnut wood door caps and dash inserts too. Put a stock cat exhaust on it with new sensors and you should be able to dial it in pretty close.

[@1chish]

Black Rose Petal wheels are the very desirable original options especially with polished rims. No racing stripes but Cooper bonnet (hood) stripes are cool. This car should already have the wiring and brackets in for twin spotlights (later cars had four as an option) but if it hasn't forget it. If you want to stop dash rattle fit rubber tube slit on the brackets behind the dash. Some folks use plastic screenwash pipe slit but that can be hit and miss. Just a tip; Originality is everything on British classic cars and remember that car has a ready market in the UK and they fetch good money in good condition.

[@schmoab]

That car is sweet. Props to TFL for doing the right thing.

[@markhuckercelticcrossbows7887]

ex rover tech here, the mot tester was feckless mate. he should have put, half tin of red ex in the tank, fill the fuel filter with red ex and good it a good hard screwing down the road for 15 mins. 9 out of 10, they pass, the spi unit needle gets carbonated and does not spray proper, from lack of use

[@RockmanDash]

That button for the inertia switch is the same part on a land rover from the 90s and early 2k lotus...

[@123willbishop]

Stick with the black steering wheel as the polished one can be irritating when the sun reflects off of it.

[@TRSWOODWORKING]

Register down here in El Paso County. No emissions. I had no problem registering my 89 JDM Mini Mayfair

[@buickboy12]

I believe it is only from county to county because on the west side we do not have to get emission tests at all, may have a straight piped few cars.

[@andyhillhouse9813]

There is an easy way to get your car through an emissions test. Run your tank until its almost empty and dump a bottle of fule injector cleaner in there. It will dilute your fule enough to pass. I used to have an old VW Lupo with a broken cat and i got it through 3 MOTs by doing that.

[@racerj2.03]

Good call on the steering wheel Tommy. Just Saying.

[@HoosierDaddy_]

Colorado is pretty, but I had to take a test drive with open headers and no hood the other day and no cops even cared, lol. Taking a pipe to hollow out all of those catalytic converters is required here. That car has got to be a blast to drive!

[@montycrain5783]

It’s currently popular to swap a Honda V-tec B18 into Classic Minis with a new subframe. About 180 hp and 5speed overdrive and modern emissions with typical Honda reliability. Also the JDM B-18s are pretty cheap to buy.

[@Encom0]

Or all red interior like Mk1 Cooper S. Black body, white roof and tartan red interior - that combo is looks awesome!

[@ianc7866]

'Clutch decided to Breit from the flywheel!' lol!

[@philip_christian]

My understanding is that the JDM spec Minis had a steering wheel airbag, but maybe 1993 is too early. Would you mind checking? All SPI Minis have a round three pin diagnostic plug near to the engine ECU, and ones with an airbag also have a 16 pin OBD2 style plug under the dashboard but this only connects to the airbag ECU. I sell diagnostic tools and cables for these but it's difficult to get data about the JDM spec ones. I am wondering if this is why someone changed the steering wheel.

[@lancerasmussen8580]

I had a walnut and chrome steering wheel just like that on my 73 Plymouth. It was sharp looking, but I got rid of it after 1 summer. The chrome strip sandwiched between the wood got way to hot to grip comfortably.

[@keithmattioli115]

I believe the original tire size for your Mini is. 145/70R12. If that's the case, the Coker Tire sells Michelin XWX in that size for $78 a tire.

[@jkk244]

That fuel cutoff switch I believe is exactly the same as fitted to the EARLY R53 BMW MINIs. Other than lightbulbs I think it’s the only part that’s interchangeable between the classic Mini and the new MINI.

[@minivanin]

The brexit made me chuckle. I like using the Ford inertia switches for when I retrofit EFI in older cars. Got to a JY to get one or there is a guy in Florida that sells them. About $20.

[@Julian-do7bv]

I like the wood wheel better and I would look for a set of the magnesium silver wheels and take the black ones off

[@alecsnow3574]

Not that anyone else hasn't said it yet but I think both of the wheels are wrong. I believe it should have had an airbag, but the second wheel you have off the car is a Motto Lita wheel (or at least modeled after one). That style is very popular in Japan.

[@Encom0]

Good looking car as it is. Loose the crappy seats and fit an interior. What about something along the lines of a black low back seats with GT40 rivet vents in them?

[@crashbox7130]

Both steering wheels are not factory original. Those fat wheel arches are meant for 13in minilite style alloys, not the 12in that are fitted to this car. BTW, by road I live 20 miles from the site of the Longbridge factory where proper, true Minis were built. The factory is pretty much flattened and replaced by housing and shops now.

[@joeychaseable]

I am so thankful that we don't have to worry about "emissions" tests in Indiana.

[@wysowl1776]

The TWO best Sources for parts for mini

[@NoMoreGoodNamesExist]

What’s the over/under on how many times we’re going to get videos with over-explained emissions testing procedures for classic vehicles in Colorado complete with cameos of emission reports we can’t read?

[@kevbarry6457]

If that wood rim steering wheel was an original Les Leston, they are worth a small fortune and are hard to come by. Google Les Leston. It probably isn't though. The emergency fuel cut out happened to me when I hit a pothole on an A road in 5pm rush hour traffic in the UK. It was peeing down (as usual). I got absolutely drenched and took my life in my own hands looking for the switch. Having a red one would have been a great help. Great video. Thanks.

[@dquad]

To be fair, emissions standards in Japan back in the 80's and 90's were very strict compared to most of the world. Car would probably benefit from new catalytic converter and oxy sensor (I haven't made it to the end of the video yet though so I don't know what you've changed)

[@generalsquirrel9548]

Would start there too. But changing the cat every 2 year is abit overkill. Considering that its probably the orginal cat it got in the factory it probably would help

[@johnclark499]

Could you share the NAPA part number? I just spent 3 hours on the side of the road for that exact problem until a friend went to my house and got my truck and trailer to get me home. THANKS!!!

[@rjlopezmr.p2216]

I love your tfl videos. Ive been a follower from the start. Great jobs guys keep it up 👍

[@kevinbarry71]

Not really sure why you believe that this car should be allowed to pollute more than another car from the same era. It's not like the pollution is somehow going to immediately transfer itself back to the land where it was sold originally

[@mattv5281]

It's a classic. In general it won't be driven much, so even if it pollutes more than another car, it's not a big impact.

[@kevinbarry71]

Matt V it's an old car; not sure it's a classic yet. Apparently the law in Colorado defines 1976 as being the classic cut off year

[@kim007250]

Good "Edd China "reference, the Original and Best wrencher on Wheeler Dealers

[@MA9494AM]

Did the US get the replacement model Austin/Rover Metro/100 that was outlived by the Mini by 3 years? Names used on the Mini and its badge engineered siblings within BMC and Leyland (excluding clubman, vans, pickups): Austin 850 Austin Cooper Austin Mini Austin Partner Austin Seven Leyland Mini Morris 850 Morris Mascot Morris Mini Riley Elf Wolseley 1000 Wolseley Hornet

[@briancornish1296]

Looks like the front wings have still have the small mounts where the Japanese front side mirrors went..

[@dquad]

Test for magnesium: Put a little bit of vinegar on exposed metal. If it starts bubbling pretty quickly it will be magnesium alloy of some sort

[@TFLclassics]

Thanks!

[@the_jarmel]

It was a good rant Tommy lol ... Hahaha a cat flap lol

[@chevydiesel350015]

chevy key chain gonna have to ls swap it now lmao

[@philiphill9400]

You should be able to get it through Emissions - that's what the injection system was developed for. Check the temperature sender (located in the very inconvenient location under the inlet manifold) is working, flush through the coolant pipes (they get blocked off when the antifreeze chelates out and crystalises). Check the vacuum pipes and vapour trap between the inlet manifold and the ECU - the joiners and the vapour traps crack and split. Oh, and if the ECU has been running rich cos it thinks you need startup enrichment all the time (due to the temp sensor not reading correctly) it will have poisoned the Cat and O2 sensor. Neither steering wheel is original but I prefer the Nardi. And the Rose Petals are great just as they are. Original tyre size would be 145/70R12 but who wants that !! 165/60R12 from Yokohama or Falken. Good luck !!

[@Rando31able]

I wood run the stock steering wheel

[@MrJFuk]

The big steering wheels look wrong. We used to fit 12" or even 10" Astra 3 spoke steering wheels. Also black wheels maybe with a white pinstripe?

[@sashashpiruk4865]

All my stuff reg in Florida no inspection

[@MarioFunk]

Jeb changed that. Remember going with my Old Man to get our cars tested. But, thankfully, no longer.

[@timothyokane9710]

Check out seven mini parts,in Auburn Ca.for some of your Mini parts.Also check out Mini Spares in the UK.

[@MarioFunk]

Seven has the most bloated prices of all of the Mini parts specialists. But Mini Spares and Mini Sport are ace.

[@jonathanryan2915]

There are some 80's and 90's Ford's that have these switches. Usually in the trunk

[@josephwhiskeybeale]

You need to rename this channel to TFLBrokedown

[@Spudeaux]

If there are parts of CO that don't require emissions tests, might be time to invest in a little vacation cabin!

[@PSByte]

The only counties that do emissions testing in Colorado are in Boulder and the Denver area. Unless you have a diesel truck, then you have to get it tested regardless. But you may be able to bribe the garage into sticking the probe outside during the test...

[@stig120212]

love your real world stuff and being tranperancy on all you do tommy rant away!!

[@davva360]

Need a smaller leather wrapped wheel. Last Mini Cooper I had I put a 10 inch steering wheel in it I think. It was awesome. Made the legendary cornering even better

[@MarioFunk]

Bigger wider wheels in this car load up the steering, so you need a slightly bigger wheel; 12 or 13". Mine came with 13x7s and you gotta use your upper body to steer.

[@davva360]

Mario Funk owned two minis. Including one of the same year and similar wheels. If you can’t turn a wheel on a mini even with wider wheels then you have issues. Lol. I am telling you a smaller steering wheel will transform that car.

[@rogerslone9687]

I feel bad for you having to deal with the emissions problems you are having. Here in NC we used to have to do that kind of stuff in every county but the powers that be realized that it was not helping. Now only the urban counties have to deal with that. Hope they figure that kind of stuff out there for your sake. Hopefully Colorado won't go the way of California.....

[@avlisk]

We are The Government, and we are here to help you.

[@gt5458c]

You guys sure do have a knack for getting your facts wrong. The Subaru was in fact designed to meet the emission standards for its model year, and it's tested against the emissions standards for its model year. That can still be challenging for a classic, but the emissions programs do not expect them to be any cleaner than they were supposed to be originally. Now a gray market Mini that was not designed for US emission standards in the first place... may be another story.

[@TFLclassics]

Not according to the go to subaru expert in our area. And from our experience the two speed idle requirements are the SAME regardless of car. For example the CO and HC requirements are the same for the ‘93 mini as they are for my 76 Mercedes SL as they are for the Subaru.

[@StephenMc1971]

Original steering wheel and keep the wheels black. Love this series, just picked up a 2006 MCS and want one like this too.

[@nlumby]

...agree completely re. look! ...my friends has just bought a rare Vortz R mini in the UK ...1380cc 100bhp and quick!

[@MyJon64]

An original steering wheel from a UK Mini that age would be soft in texture to confirm to safety standards. Sounds like a nightmare with the emissions, I bet the engine was never designed to run so lean for the American Market!

[@marshaldowns8957]

You can buy 5 acres in the San Luis Valley here in CO (Costilla Cty) for like, $1000. Buy the acerage and register all your classics down here! No Emissions!

[@Briancollison]

original Mini's had 10 inch wheels, I had 2 Mini's, one from new in 1971.

[@loveandbaconbrian1901]

EV conversion! Would be a blast to watch you learn and experience the process for all of us...

[@garbage854]

Good update 😀

[@mokateer]

you can get Yokohamas A048 in this size! They are really nice.

[@billbeck4661]

Coker Tires may have the size you need. They are the go to guys for old style tires.

[@jeep2003]

I like the original black steering wheel. As for the wheels not white but gray might be better. White will be too bright. Im not a fan of the minilite style wheels anyway . Also it needs cooler seats

[@sgtrat87]

Keep the steering wheel that’s in it and powder coat the outside edge of the wheels white and leave the center section black.

[@nlpnt]

Keep the black plastic wheel on it, sell the rosepetals and buy new white rims, maybe 13s (how about old-school steel spoked wagon wheels?)

[@generalsquirrel9548]

Would first replace the cat (its not needed to change it every 2 year, but it probably has the orginal cat so in this case a mew cat would help) and also replace o2 sensors. Also pls first warm-up the car before doing the test. Catalyst converter only work when the engine is warmed up. Edite: pls also check the vacumlines. They are a common issue on spi mini's

[@ernestodelahoz9155]

You can get tires at discount tires Or go to mini sport usa the have very good prices on tires

[@MarioFunk]

Mini Sport USA is here in Florida; the guy who runs the operation has lots of common parts in stock here, so you may want to hit them up for the 12" Falkens.

[@ernestodelahoz9155]

Ohhh yes they do you have to tell them the size you want and the brand they can also get wheels I buy all my wheels and tires from them They don’t carry those wheels or tires in stock but they can get a them at least the one that I go to can

[@NemesisZ0X]

Mini + Monte Carlo = Paddy Hopkirk!!!! Edd China = The worlds fastest road legal sofa.

[@R.Nelson]

Tommy...I trust you will come out Victorious with your mission on your car 🚗!!!..Roman.. you should have Roman Rants T shirts made...any chance of that??

[@spartanchirho]

I like the wood one.

[@leslierhodes5467]

I know some British cars do not have a good reputation but mini if looked after are cracking motors

[@gadgetmantwincities]

The video was not to long. And I like the flashy steering wheel!

[@Dankcatvacs]

i like the wood one

[@jimbreedlove2161]

As I’ve said before, put a bottle of RXP in the gas tank before emissions test.

[@AndyK.1]

Arh just link to two wires together on the inertia switch ! Lot of cars don’t even have them

[@godlypk]

Why would anyone live in a state like that if you are a car person. Good thing the government is protecting us. It's just insane.

[@schmoab]

Because Denver has terrible air quality problems.

[@fransiapotiente6618]

Love you guys!

[@DaddyDan77]

Are you registering it with your business address or with your residence addresses? Doesn't SOMEONE on staff live in a more permissive jurisdiction? I will agree that the original Mini is still the best Mini - although a 2 door JCW manual transmission model brand new and under warranty might find a home in my driveway at some point.

[@KomotoseKomo]

Honda k series swap? fix those emissions and accidentally gain 150hp