Mr Laurence

Right, it’s been over a year since I last updated this, but after a bit of a break from posting on here I think it’s time to come back. Here’s a brief update of the last year and a bit: Mini Still looking pretty much the same as it did last year, with the addition of some extra rust. A bit more digging into the idle issue found that the plastic housing had been broken by the engine rocking into the bulkhead; the engine mounts were replaced not too long ago, and the garage that did the work forgot to put one back in, so there was a LOT of play. Sorted now and the car seems noticeably better than before. The high idle on startup still persists, but it settles within 5 minutes or so. A bit more investigation is needed I think. ~£300 in welding saw it through another MOT in December, but really it’s reaching a point now where it either needs selling on or a proper restoration. I feel like I’ve had my fun with it now and I’d rather move onto something else, so I’m leaning pretty heavily towards selling. MX5 Now at nearly 170,000 miles and still going strong! Since last posting I’ve fitted a front lip, spoiler and a set of Tein coilovers. It sits a little bit lower and feels better round corners now, but thankfully not at the expense of comfort. Otherwise just little maintenance jobs here and there.

£11,000 for an 80’s Mayfair(!) These prices are before ACAs fees as well aren’t they?

That looks great! The matching hardtops a great bonus too. how does the 90hp 1.6 compare to the one in your last mx5?

You could still get one of these on a J reg?!

£50 Mk1 Punto https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/731406330851243

That’s looking nice now. You’ve done a ‘stellar’ job of tidying it up. Were those Ford wheels also used on Cortinas? I think I’ve seen a few with them. They should look good on the Hyundai.

I’ve never driven a mk3, but the general consensus is that they’re more liveable than earlier cars. Ignore any ‘comedians’ calling them boats. They’re barely any heavier than Mk1s or 2s. I think that the engines in a mk3 are more prone to failure though. On the flipside, you’ll get a newer car without as much rust to contend with. I personally don’t like the idea of buying a car as an investment, but Mk1 prices are rising fairly quickly without any sign of slowing down. Even rusty MOT failures are starting to make actual money now, so a solid one might make you a profit when you come to sell. Mk3s don’t quite seem to have reached the bottom of their depreciation curve yet. They’re still comparatively quite a modern car. Take a look at both and see which you prefer before commiting to buying either. In many ways they’re very similar cars, but depending on what you’re planning on using it for both have their benefits.

Did comforts ever get offered as a civilian version, or were they just sold to buisnesses/governments? I think I’ve heard of a hot TRD version, but every one that I’ve seen has been a cab

The rear wings look so unusual on this that I didn’t even notice the metal roof until I read the description. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/160642035868317

That’s the first one I’ve ever seen in that colour I think. compulsory @Motownand @Lord Sterling tag

Just echoing what everyone else has said already - PD engines are really good. And if you’d exude you don’t like it, the colour concept interiors seem to make pretty big money on eBay. You’d probably get half of your money back just from selling that and swapping in cloth seats from a scrapyard

It’s a shame, but as @gmsays, they all go like that. It’s definitely worth saving. Early unmolested Mk1s are rare now, and most will need the same work doing as yours sooner or later.

You know, they suit it quite well I think

After the Castle Gresley one restoring this should be a walk in the park: it already looks lovely! How many 800s do you own now?

That looks like it lived a pretty hard life. It’s done well to survive until now, but hopefully it can donate a few bits to keep others going.