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A Mini that is not what they are saying it is

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Steve

Steve

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https://www.ebay.com/itm/321626711513

There are so many of these cars available for sale that are represented as being much older because it's a lucrative business. Minis are cheap in the UK and in Europe, and expensive over here. This one was a limited edition available for the German market only for 1993, and yet the seller states that it is a 1969. Hope no one falls for this!
 
But but... the wheels!!!
 
Many reVins make it to the U.S. They are a constant debate on MM. The camps fall mainly into:

  • The importation laws are bad and reVins aren't hurting anyone... so the laws don't apply to me.
  • ReVins are misleading to new owners who don't realize what they really bought or how to buy parts for them.
  • ReVins are blatantly against the law and dilute the value of cars legally here.
  • ReVins are often the cast-off cars that can no long pass British MOT tests and are unsafe for importation to the U.S.

I am not a purist or a legal zealot. I know the origins of my car and know it to be fully legal. The importation laws are well known so I have little sympathy for the owner of the car crushed in the video. If the owner was naive enough to not know what they were buying, then I hope they recoup some of their losses through the court system. The professional firms intentionally importing reVins need to be examined and shut down to prevent losses to individual buyers. All auction houses also need to take similar responsibility and accurately describe what they are selling.
 
My main concern is: what harm can a handful of some desirable little cars actually DO?!?! It ain't like a hundred thousand of these things are showing up every year on our shores, to pollute our air and crash with abandon into the unsuspecting "legally imported" soccer moms' Volvos! Where's the actual harm done? If some eccentric Kalifornia code writer wants a Traubie, let him BUY it. If I'd want an RS Cortina, why would some burke appointee from the government be allowed to confiscate it and DESTROY it without compensation? THAT'S what's criminal.

I see it more as a government control issue.
 
Dr, that would put you in the group I listed in my first bullet point.

Again, I have no dog in this fight. If to you the laws are unwarranted government intervention I encourage you to work to change the importation laws.
 
Steve said:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/321626711513

There are so many of these cars available for sale that are represented as being much older because it's a lucrative business. Minis are cheap in the UK and in Europe, and expensive over here. This one was a limited edition available for the German market only for 1993, and yet the seller states that it is a 1969. Hope no one falls for this!
Click to expand...

Will ship to United States.
Item location:
West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States

Sold 02JAN this year. Wonder if the Feds have come knocking yet?
 
It seems about 1/2 the minis sold on Ebay are fake revins . I especially hate watching videos where the seller says " this 1971 was totally restored and upgraded with fuel injection and air bags" I would think people like this would go to jail for fraud
 
Mine is registered as a 68. and many parts fit the bill. But parts of the body look more like a early 60s. Quite common to replace body parts when they are in an accident.
 
I probably should start a new thread but this may fit here. It's a local car. What should I look for?
Here's from the Hemmings listing:
"1969 Austin Mini Cooper S, yes, the real thing (although registered as a 1967). Original 1275 S engine bored 40 over, rebuilt 9,000 miles ago, Red with a black roof, black interior, body completely rebuilt by Tim O'Neil's rally mechanic in 1990, correct 4-speed all-synchro trans. rebuilt completely (even the case was new) by Bill Gavin, engine by Pete VonSniedern, less than 500 miles per year of use, stored inside all year round, dry suspension, starts up faithfully every spring, always registered, two sets of wheels and tires, 10's and 12's, in-dash working 1969 Pioneer Supertuner, car's not perfect but has great patina."
Thanks.
Tom
 
Start by looking for major things that should NOT be there.
There should not be repeater lights on the wings. There should not be 12" or 13" rims and tires. There should not be re-coil seat belts. It should not have roll up windows. It should have external door hinges.

The other differences are more subtle. By '67 the car should probably have twin fuel tanks and the diagonal brace under the slam panel (behind the grille). There should be a horizontal oil cooler mounted behind the grille. In the boot there should be a boot board above the spare tire. Factory looking brackets should be on the seat back for the boot board. At the boot lid opening there should be two sheet metal pedestal brackets to support the other end of the boot board. In the boot and on the seat back there should be a well formed bracket to secure the right-hand fuel tank. The tank securing strap should not be bolted directly to the seat back.

Inside, the car should have the three gauge oval binnacle with the speedometer, temperature, and oil pressure gauges. If you get the chance to look at the car up close, see about looking under the shift lever boot. The hole should be cleanly cut and not look like it has been added later.

Though Basil doesn't like it when we post links to other message boards, it is appropriate in this case. Visit the link below and follow some of the matrix to confirm the age of the car you are looking at. I admit I have not had occasion to use this tool myself but it should help you determine the age of the car you found.
https://www.minimania.com/Mini_Identification_1837
 
Doug, Thanks for the precise details and for the link. I will send you a PM. Tom
 
Another major problem that has not really been addressed here is that of ReVins on stolen Minis. Classic car theft in the UK is reaching epidemic proportions, and you can guarantee that many of the parts from these cars or the cars themselves with the VIN altered are finding their way over here.
 
Did not enjoy seeing that poor, defenceless MINI crushed. Blame has to be with the exporter for misrepresenting the purchaser too. Everyone loses apart from the original seller who clearly has no love for these beautiful cars.
 
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