63 years old!! Registered December 1960 on RUclips December 2023 in great condition, rebuilt with its original engine, got to be one of the rarest minis left. That number plate is worth good money alone.
Good old Essex reg. 4 and 2 as they were running out of numbers before the suffix came in. My first car was 111 SPU, not worth so much! My current car is a 1960, and the reg was lost in 83, but I got it back although non-transferrable. Worth watching Ivan on Shed Racing, he’s got 2 mark 1s.
Ivan on the shed racing channel is currently recommissioning a 1959 Austin 7, he had been told by a subscriber that the early mini's had a magnesium gearbox, when he checked his it indeed was a magnesium gearbox.
Jonny, you’ve established a niche all of your own with these barn finds. Who needs Top Gear when we’ve got our Jonny S…never ever stop searching these out and sharing with us!
Quite a journey when you put it like that. From working on telly co-presenting Top Gears competition and now going solo making better content than ever!
That was brilliant. I was literally grinning from ear to ear when she fired up. Love the apologetic little cough from an A series starter motor. This might just have inspired me to dig our Cooper out of the shed next year and try and get it running as that will soon have been off the road for 25 years.
This was wonderful. The Shirley Bassey 8 tracks gave me a HUGE rush, straight back to my Ex-Pat Brummie Dad here in the USA. Our 1973 Gran Torino, Shirley Bassey, Beatles and Brenda Lee 8 tracks on a loop as we did road trips in New England circa 1974. My Dad passed this year and I had not heard the Shirley Bassey name in years. Lovely nostalgia. Wow, choked me up. Thank you Johnny. PS. I do not know why WD40 dropped the sponsorship, it was such a great fit and I always enjoyed knowing you were getting backing for these fantastic productions. Love you Johnny.-From Upstate, NY
Thank you for this wonderful comment. Enjoyed the references a lot. WD40's budgets are being set again soon and they are debating whether to come back on board (they need to do the right thing and sign up, riiiiight?)
Glad to see a Mini featured. Felt like love for them had fallen out in the UK due to them being literally everywhere for so long. My ‘71 Cooper is going strong after only one rebuild (here in the US seems some mechanics like ordering the wrong sized clutch then forcing it in). The best thing I ever did was install an MSD ignition. Starts up literally every try, no troubles for over 10 years.
I worked at a college a few years ago and one of the staff had an old Mini. Two things struck me with it, firstly you forget how truly mini they were compared to modern cars and even the modern Mini, and secondly the smell of a carburetted engine is something you very rarely experience these days.
I had a Morris Mini Minor 850, built in December 1959 registered January 1960. Someone had put padded velvet seats in it with covered buttons 😄. It was ace; push button starter on the floor, dip/main button by the pedals, flashing indicator stalk. And it never started if there was the merest hint of damp in the air.
God i love Jonny and his barn finds. I suffer from Bipolar type 2 and for sure without question Jonny always put a smile on my face even when i'm down . THANKYOU JONNY.
Such a feel good episode today Jonny, After a pretty horrid week I have been grinning from ear to ear watching this and how nice to hear they both will be restored and on the road.
My Dad had a canary yellow Scimitar with red and black pinstripes down the sides. Great car! I remember being squished into the back with my little brother surrounded by bedding on camping holidays to France, and the year we didn't go because Dad spanked the holiday money on Spax coil overs and a limited slip diff! 😂 Lovely video Johnny 😊
My late father-in-law had a SE6 Scimitar in red When the leaded fuel came the an end I helped him put a Ford Granada 2.9 EFI engine in We had longlife exhaust which was based in Cardiff at the time made a full system for it
I was watching the Mini trying to start and was shouting "Come on, come on" ! I remembered clearly my own first 1980 Mini 1000 which I absolutely loved. Bloody fantastic!
This episode was beyond sensational , the Mini is considering it's age is in amazing condition ,the shed was amazing lol , as for the Scimitar those 8 track cassettes are amazing survivors , please consider doing a follow up on the Mini if restored .Many thanks.
My first car was an out of the box Mini 1969 with reg MVN400F white with black roof bought it for $579 from a garage in Marske North Yorkshire. The indicators would slow down then stop flashing when engine was at idle, never did get it fixed even by the garage. Best car ever. Twin exhaust silencer nose up out at the back centre and a homemade dashboard panel. The bees knees and loved it!
Thanks Jonny, this brings back so many memories - unlike Steve, we were all allowed to drive it and got our driving licences in a Mark 1 bought new by my grandfather in 1960. A great car to drive, apart from a gearbox described by my late Father as like stirring a broom handle around in a bucket, and no synchro in first. I put it on its side once while my parents were on holidays, no major damage done and repaired before they got back 😊
Several commenters have suggested a follow-up after restoration. With Steve's agreement, how about doing a 'Harry's Garage' style restoration series? Be nice to show the youngsters the ins and outs of British Leyland engineering - for better and for worse! Good marketing for the restorers too.
I'll bet that it has rust everywhere. I've bought three of these things in the past , thinking they looked ok. Guess what after a year ?. . . rust everywhere , especially at the seams where panels meet. They're cute little cars , but the quality is beyond bad.
I'm currently recomissioning a '61 Austin Seven , unused since 1974 with 37k miles , can't wait to get her back on the road for the 50th anniversary !.My best mate's parents had 3472 PU , a 1960 Austin Mini Countryman in Tartan Red ,PU is an Essex registration - great another early Mini is being saved !.
My Gran had an early mini in red, she was the district mid wife in Sunderland and she used to park it wherever she liked at all angles and the police used to know the car and never bothered her, wise men. I used to stay during holidays and get thrown around in the back. Seeing the mini with the sliding windows and strung door release took me right back! Great episode, you must do a follow up Johnny please!
Regards to Chris and Dan! We're all enthusiasts, we should be helping each other. I had a laugh at "..that arch seems really good..". I'm a native of the rural Southern US - but I've always been an 'import guy'. When y'all opened the garage, I thought, "Hey, that one's in pretty good shape!" The first UK motoring magazine I ever read was a copy of Classic and Sports Car in the mid 1980s. Contained an article about two guys restoring a '60s MG Midget. Had more rust on it than I'd ever seen in my life. Most of the article seemed to be about how much welding they did. I'd later learn that my region of the country is well known for having clean survivors..but most Southern people didn't buy imports until the OPEC crisis in the 1970s. A Mini that old is quite rare over here.
I knew that mini was in there but never seen it , I have seen the scimitar a few times when I have been at Paul’s mum and dad’s house (Paul is one of the brothers ) it’s good that they are keeping both cars,I’ve been waiting weeks for this video but i am still mad that Paul didn’t let me know you were going ,it would of been great to meet you Johnny I have followed your channel for a good while now ,thanks for sharing this video
These are such great little cars. Memories of that first motoring experience. Amazing condition for the year. So many rotted away on driveways and gardens…..such a shame. Good to hear that both cars are being restored. The scimitar looked in good condition too bearing in mind it’s sat outside all its life. Worthy of a revisit when restored I think. 👍🏼
Johnny, the excitement in your voice is amazing. Thank you for making these videos. I love cars and bikes. I'm 46 grew up in Cork City, Ireland. I live in northern Wisconsin U.S.A. now. These barn finds bring a great feeling of Nostalgia. I remember walking to school seeing many minis going by or parked on the footpath. When I listen to you and Richard on Smith and Sniff i am reminded of hanging out with my brother Kenneth working on motorbikes in the back shed. Anyway, thanks again. Wishing you every success. Also the leg day dance sequence, we need more 😂😂😂❤❤❤
Back in 1986 my sister had one of these 850's ( Sliding windows, external hinges ) I fitted a 1275GT engine and Cooper S disc brakes... it was the most fun car I ever drove. From memory these very early ones where originally positive earth from the battery ? Im sure they had an additional push button starter solenoid under the bonnet too .
The Mark 1s and 2s were indeed postive earth, Martin , but the cars with floor button start did not have a solenoid as there was no need for one !.Recommisioning my ' 61 car , has given enormous problems locating the exact correct exhaust system as it has to avoid the live contacts exposed under the car !.In the end sourced genuine old stock parts as most pattern ones are inaccurate.
I do love me a little Mini. I had a later 850 City back in 1985. Drove to Gretna Green in it, stayed at the Gretna Chase hotel and we got married on Midsummers day without telling anyone beforehand. We camped around Scotland for the next week. Also the car I had when my better half was pregnant with my daughter. Drove the wheels off it to get to the hospital when my wife informed me she imminent. They're not quick, but the go kart handling around town makes up for it. Mind you, it was utterly terrifying to drive on a motorway!
Jonny this has to be my favourite barn find being a mini lover! As for a restoration for the owner I would recommend Minimine in Stoke on Trent their attention to detail to keep this car original would be like nothing else. I can’t wait to set this one done
Brilliant double whammy Jonny. Reminds me of my first car I got in 1972, A 1965 Morris Mini Minor 850,53kon the clock. I had to start spannering soon when the head gasket went after a few weeks 😂😂 great barn find, pure nostalgia, and great that family is keeping both cars👍😎
What a little sweetheart!! Dad had a 1959 Morris mini minor YYG74 we went all around England in it as Kids.Mum Dad 3 kids and sometimes the baby sitter.
My dad has had his Scimitar since '74, he bought it when my mum found out I, the third child, was on the way. I too have memories of driving around in the boot, through France, towing a trailer tent in the late 70's, I can attest to pain of occasionally hitting the boot hinge with my head! We still have the Scimitar, driving daily and still going strong in its Nevada yellow, delighted to see the featured car is in for a mechanical treat on another channel! The mini also a gorgeous, loving the retro connect 4 box seen through the window, it's the wee details 😎👌
Johnny sweating it with the foot pump, while just behind him was an air compressor... A friend of mine had a series of minis back in the 1970s and I helped him with engine work and upgrades, so this brought back memories!
Another fantastic video Johnny, the Mini did not take too long to get started and does not seem in bad nick, would be good to revisit this once the car has had the nut and bolt resto.
Another cracking find - just how many more early Mk1 Minis can there be left to unearth...? I've just noticed that it has the little 'safety boss' behind the ends of the door handles, these were fitted to all Mk1s from January '66 onwards so the doors are probably from a later car.
When you turned the ignition key and went to press the starter button I knew exactly what the green and orange lights on the speedo should look like and for some reason I could smell butterscotch. Strong childhood memories.
Oddly it seems to have mk2 door handles... with the chrome button on the door .... also very strange I'm pretty sure that the rear window is later mk1/mk2 size..... mk1s were quite s narrow window in comparison....
Hope you don’t mind me commenting, however it’s always a good idea to keep the clutch pedal depressed when trying to start a car. Reason is it prevents the gearbox turning, so less effort required to turn motor over… I have been to many cars that wouldn’t start, battery getting tired but using technique described managed to get them to start. Spent my apprenticeship at BMC dealership, done most things on Minis . Enjoyed the video ,thanks .
Wow! who can resist a Mini barn find?? I really wish i could find my old mini, defo buy it back and go full pelt on it! The tax on it expired in April 96 - so is she sat in a barn somewhere........... to be viewed on a barn find near you shortly!! Let's hope! Great episode Jonny.
Floor start, sliding windows- Fantastic. And of course the switch extension rubber extensions. My dad had one when I was a kid and we went everywhere in it. Our reg was 735 FRP I often wonder if it is still out there.
What a great episode! My first car was a Mini and judging how rotten that was at only 8yrs old - this is a miracle! So happy to hear it will get a resto. Brought back a lot of memories for me, incredible cars really. Thanks for another brilliant BF.
Excellent video as always! My Dad worked at Reliant for several years in the late 60s/early 70's , always loved the Ogle designed Scimitar. Often one of the designers who lived close to us in Dosthill Stafforshire, close to the factory in Twogates on the A5 had a prototype parked in his drive.. Keep up the great work. Malcolm
such a treat! so thrilled the family is keeping both cars and restoring them each. not something everyone is in the position to do. the scimitar play list is perfect!
so enjoyable, Jonny, and to see the mini run after such a long time! Wonderful to know that the mini and the "other car" are staying witrh the family, and for the mini to be fully restored, maybe have the original engine put back?? Best wishes from Lincolnshire.
I own a Scimitar in the UK and just love it. Thank you so much Jonny please keep doing this, I learnt to drive in a Mini in 1975 and had a pre-reg starter on the floor Mini just like this ........ VERY well done , truly magnificent ...... Thank You Richard in Arizona USA
I love a garage smell. For me it was the smell of oil and grease. Dad backing his car out to work on it. After dad i passed i had to get into the garage to find something. Sadly as i did all the memories of him came back and i had to close it. It was too much. Bless car memories and smells.
My dad came to Australia in the early 60’s from northern England. He bought a brand new mini deluxe! He drove it from Sydney to lightning ridge. I still have the photos of his trip.
I had my mini repainted in John Players colours, but it needed repairs to the headlight surrounds. I spent days with filler remoulding the wings. Then went to buy some of the weld trim pieces. They were just £1.50 each, so I enquired how much were the bare wings, and was told £2.50 each.... after I had spent double that amount on filler..!
Another barn find on a car I used to own from 1982 to 84. I had a B reg 850 MK1 in green, also had MK 2 F reg previous to the B reg, but that some how didn’t have the charm of the MK1. It never let me down badly, but it did have tendency to overheat in hot weather, especially after I changed the cylinder head for a 1.0L cooper to give a bit more poke😮. Also brings back memories of covering the inside of the grille with a plastic bag to stop water getting into the distributor, I also distinctly remember when going through large puddles of water at any reasonable speed, water would spray up around a gap in the gear stick and splash anyone in the back seat😅. I ran the car on shoestring budget, loved it, it went to the scrap yard eventually as it wasn’t cost effective to repair😂, also by 84 I had a company van
I passed my driving test in a mini around 1980 and never drove again until I moved to the US. My first car here was a 1974 VW Bug that caught fire and burnt while I was driving it. Never a good idea to put the battery under the back seat with coils. That car was the original Christine! An expat watching in FL.
Great stuff Jonny, as always. I love the way that (either inadvertently or deliberately) you apply a liberal smear of Alan Partridges patent TV oil to your work. Brilliant. Jackanackanory. 👍
Great video again, not knowing if we’re being treated to an Aston Martin or a mini makes each video worth watching, 2 guys turn up off the street and muck in,you’ve built up a great following
Such a great episode! I have an SE6 and this makes me eager to get it out of the shed come Springtime! That Mini is something else though - so great to see.
Well done Jonny brilliant what a well sort after classic love it remember my mums mini clubman estate which was family car in the 90s brings back memories.
My first car when I passed my test in 1984 was a 1971 J reg Mini 850. I remember buying it from a person living in Wymondham for £275. I loved that little car. It was black with Dunlop alloy wheels, Tudor Webasto sunroof, bumper overiders and a custom sheet aluminium grille. After that I bought a T reg Mini 1000 in blue. I would love to own another Mini at some point because they are such fun cars to own and drive.
Just wonderful...! This episode has a really good feeling about it. That little Mini is super - So pleased that it'll get a new lease of life. Bonus Scimitar restomod is a great idea. PS: I also had one of those beach buggy style police cars. You put batteries in the light on the front. It had those shady pedals that didn't go round but sort of went forwards and backwards. Was RWD with no sprag so you could do good skids by leaning forwards and locking up the back end 😂
I had a mark 1 mini, it was absolutely brilliant, I often say to young drivers, you haven’t experienced driving until you’ve drove a original mini absolutely amazing the sound, the steering and the way it hugs the road it feels alive
Best Mini, Morris Mini...Minor. I've owned a few Minis and a 1961 Minor 1000 over the years. I now own a 1932 Morris Minor Two-Seater which pre-dates the Morris Eight and post-war Minor and is the original (1928-1934) small Morris car. Over the last 3 years I've done over 10,000 miles in it, including 1,200 miles over 8 days back in June when I took it up to the Scottish Highlands in 28 degree heat. No problem. Hoping to take it to France next year.
As you know Jonny, I LOVE your Barn Finds! However this one is very special to me! My granddad had one of first ones (1958). He passed away with gangrene in 1976. We sold it quite a number of years later. I was still a child, so can't remember who to. It was maroon with a cream grill. As far as I knew, it never had that back bumper! So I would be a child from 5 through 12. His wife, my nanna, was the last grand parent to pass away in the early to mid-eighties. She was in her mid-eighties. I wonder if the car is still around!
A mate of mine had a 1960 mini we went everywhere in it but it occasionally stopped when it poured with rain. Unfortunately we had an accident in 1966 and wrote it off, we hit a Ford Anglia and completely took the offside wing off the Anglia. Those early minis were made of slightly thicker steel than the later ones.
Oh that sound....of the starter motor just spinning up!! I've heard that sound more than a few times with my Mk2 Cooper 😄 Delighted that you got it fired up and back running Jonny. Even more so, that the family are going to keep it and get it restored. Great to see it being driven by the following generations of the family. I wonder, would you do a sort of mini series (no pun intended) of the car during its restoration Jonny? I think a lot of people would love to follow its journey back to going back on the road.
The cutest European cars: - The 2cv - all the models - The old (not the new) Mini, - Oval Beetle (not the later ones), - DKW. One of which is what I expected to see on the video😁
What a fab little car. So many memories. My mother had 8835 MX, a 63 Morris Mini Minor deluxe with the 848cc. A steep hill with the obligatory 4 or 5 kids on the back seat was a slow affair in second gear!
the montage when the car first gets pushed out & is on its own is its own mini video!! The music gave it a sense of coolness- great song selection & phots!🎉
any with your brother Johnny, I don't have siblings so maybe that is why, but your brother is just awesome energy for the episode. great show, well executed...
Loving seeing that Mini cough to life. I had a '65 Minivan panel van that someone had installed an 1100cc engine into, but on top of the original gearbox. It ran out of gears at about 80kh but it got there quick! Unfortunately it needed a lot of work and I had no money for it so it had to go, I still miss it.
Absolutely brilliant Johnny . Enjoyed every second . Keep up the fantastic work, it's really appreciated. Please say you've got another good one for us to watch over the Christmas break 🙏
I know the Norwich Loco works well, started out working there in the early 00s. Hope the Mini gets fully fixed up. What a car that will be to bimble around in.
Hi Jonny. Another great find ! Those doors in the shed are correct and have handles are shorter . Those door hinges are probably the originals , the early ones were brass . In the day you could get a repair kit to replace the hinge pins . And l'd bet the Scimitar was probably Ford Aubergine . I'm surprised you didn't try and get that going too !!! 😆 l had an identical mini in the '70's and decided to deseam it !! Well l did and then decided l didn't want the car so gave it away !!!! Thanks Jonny
Nice finds, it would be a big bonus if we could see the restorations of these two cars. I had a Morris Mini Mk 1, mine was a 1965 model with that 'magic wand' style gear lever. These cars were so basic, which reminds me of some of the French cars of the time as well, Renault, Citroen, Peugeot etc. Totally different kind of motoring than today. The oval speedo cluster is I sure a later addition, the Mk 1 had the round cluster, with I think only the temp gauge and speedometer.
63 years old!! Registered December 1960 on RUclips December 2023 in great condition, rebuilt with its original engine, got to be one of the rarest minis left. That number plate is worth good money alone.
Good old Essex reg. 4 and 2 as they were running out of numbers before the suffix came in. My first car was 111 SPU, not worth so much! My current car is a 1960, and the reg was lost in 83, but I got it back although non-transferrable. Worth watching Ivan on Shed Racing, he’s got 2 mark 1s.
@@spamhead worth around £1000 too £1500 not to shabby. 👍
Ivan on the shed racing channel is currently recommissioning a 1959 Austin 7, he had been told by a subscriber that the early mini's had a magnesium gearbox, when he checked his it indeed was a magnesium gearbox.
@@jammyone100 too
@@petermetcalfe6366 minis
Jonny, you’ve established a niche all of your own with these barn finds. Who needs Top Gear when we’ve got our Jonny S…never ever stop searching these out and sharing with us!
Hi Simon!
Top what?
Not watch that shite for decades
@@Yorkshiremadmick i should qualify I meant back in the days when Top Gear was a car show 😉
Quite a journey when you put it like that. From working on telly co-presenting Top Gears competition and now going solo making better content than ever!
Love the foot pump when your standing next to a air compressor 😂😂
That's just what I was thinking!
Me too! 😂
Same here 😂
said the same and got a snippy reply that it was broken . the optics though haha
The youtubers catchphrase “it all makes great content”, why make it easy when you can add to the story 👍
That was brilliant. I was literally grinning from ear to ear when she fired up. Love the apologetic little cough from an A series starter motor. This might just have inspired me to dig our Cooper out of the shed next year and try and get it running as that will soon have been off the road for 25 years.
Great to hear! Let us know if your Cooper needs the help of a fleece wearing man.
Just what I was thinking @@TheLateBrakeShow
DO NOT touch it without the help of Johnny! We need as many barn finds as we can!
Yes let the power of us all bring it back Kev in Devon
This was wonderful. The Shirley Bassey 8 tracks gave me a HUGE rush, straight back to my Ex-Pat Brummie Dad here in the USA. Our 1973 Gran Torino, Shirley Bassey, Beatles and Brenda Lee 8 tracks on a loop as we did road trips in New England circa 1974. My Dad passed this year and I had not heard the Shirley Bassey name in years. Lovely nostalgia. Wow, choked me up. Thank you Johnny. PS. I do not know why WD40 dropped the sponsorship, it was such a great fit and I always enjoyed knowing you were getting backing for these fantastic productions. Love you Johnny.-From Upstate, NY
Thank you for this wonderful comment. Enjoyed the references a lot. WD40's budgets are being set again soon and they are debating whether to come back on board (they need to do the right thing and sign up, riiiiight?)
@@TheLateBrakeShowWhere would a barn find be without a can of WD?
Glad to see a Mini featured. Felt like love for them had fallen out in the UK due to them being literally everywhere for so long.
My ‘71 Cooper is going strong after only one rebuild (here in the US seems some mechanics like ordering the wrong sized clutch then forcing it in). The best thing I ever did was install an MSD ignition. Starts up literally every try, no troubles for over 10 years.
I worked at a college a few years ago and one of the staff had an old Mini. Two things struck me with it, firstly you forget how truly mini they were compared to modern cars and even the modern Mini, and secondly the smell of a carburetted engine is something you very rarely experience these days.
I had a Morris Mini Minor 850, built in December 1959 registered January 1960. Someone had put padded velvet seats in it with covered buttons 😄. It was ace; push button starter on the floor, dip/main button by the pedals, flashing indicator stalk. And it never started if there was the merest hint of damp in the air.
God i love Jonny and his barn finds. I suffer from Bipolar type 2 and for sure without question Jonny always put a smile on my face even when i'm down . THANKYOU JONNY.
Thank you ❤️ thank you so much for watching the channel.
same here matey - keep up the meds ; no matter how dark the night gets , the morning ALWAYS follows .
Such a feel good episode today Jonny, After a pretty horrid week I have been grinning from ear to ear watching this and how nice to hear they both will be restored and on the road.
This is better than any motoring programme on tv!
My Dad had a canary yellow Scimitar with red and black pinstripes down the sides. Great car! I remember being squished into the back with my little brother surrounded by bedding on camping holidays to France, and the year we didn't go because Dad spanked the holiday money on Spax coil overs and a limited slip diff! 😂 Lovely video Johnny 😊
What a guy!
My late father-in-law had a SE6 Scimitar in red
When the leaded fuel came the an end I helped him put a Ford Granada 2.9 EFI engine in
We had longlife exhaust which was based in Cardiff at the time made a full system for it
@@bikerboywayne1 Princess Anne had one don't you know ;)
Bet Mum was thrilled.
@@ChrisFEJacksonyes back in those days it was very well covered by the media and became Reliant’s claim to fame!
The starter button is underneath the hand brake. The mushroom to the left of the clutch is to dip the headlights.
Yes, my comment also
I was watching the Mini trying to start and was shouting "Come on, come on" ! I remembered clearly my own first 1980 Mini 1000 which I absolutely loved. Bloody fantastic!
This episode was beyond sensational , the Mini is considering it's age is in amazing condition ,the shed was amazing lol , as for the Scimitar those 8 track cassettes are amazing survivors , please consider doing a follow up on the Mini if restored .Many thanks.
My first car was an out of the box Mini 1969 with reg MVN400F white with black roof bought it for $579 from a garage in Marske North Yorkshire. The indicators would slow down then stop flashing when engine was at idle, never did get it fixed even by the garage. Best car ever. Twin exhaust silencer nose up out at the back centre and a homemade dashboard panel. The bees knees and loved it!
Had a 70 Clubman that I fitted a homemade wooden dash to. I even managed to fit a rev counter!😂
Love the two blokes who stopped, would love to see the mini finished, Great episode Jonny.
Thanks Jonny, this brings back so many memories - unlike Steve, we were all allowed to drive it and got our driving licences in a Mark 1 bought new by my grandfather in 1960. A great car to drive, apart from a gearbox described by my late Father as like stirring a broom handle around in a bucket, and no synchro in first. I put it on its side once while my parents were on holidays, no major damage done and repaired before they got back 😊
Several commenters have suggested a follow-up after restoration. With Steve's agreement, how about doing a 'Harry's Garage' style restoration series? Be nice to show the youngsters the ins and outs of British Leyland engineering - for better and for worse! Good marketing for the restorers too.
I'll bet that it has rust everywhere.
I've bought three of these things in the past , thinking they looked ok.
Guess what after a year ?. . . rust everywhere , especially at the seams where panels meet.
They're cute little cars , but the quality is beyond bad.
I'm currently recomissioning a '61 Austin Seven , unused since 1974 with 37k miles , can't wait to get her back on the road for the 50th anniversary !.My best mate's parents had 3472 PU , a 1960 Austin Mini Countryman in Tartan Red ,PU is an Essex registration - great another early Mini is being saved !.
Great info, thank you
60th anniversary
My Gran had an early mini in red, she was the district mid wife in Sunderland and she used to park it wherever she liked at all angles and the police used to know the car and never bothered her, wise men. I used to stay during holidays and get thrown around in the back. Seeing the mini with the sliding windows and strung door release took me right back! Great episode, you must do a follow up Johnny please!
Regards to Chris and Dan! We're all enthusiasts, we should be helping each other. I had a laugh at "..that arch seems really good..". I'm a native of the rural Southern US - but I've always been an 'import guy'. When y'all opened the garage, I thought, "Hey, that one's in pretty good shape!" The first UK motoring magazine I ever read was a copy of Classic and Sports Car in the mid 1980s. Contained an article about two guys restoring a '60s MG Midget. Had more rust on it than I'd ever seen in my life. Most of the article seemed to be about how much welding they did. I'd later learn that my region of the country is well known for having clean survivors..but most Southern people didn't buy imports until the OPEC crisis in the 1970s. A Mini that old is quite rare over here.
I knew that mini was in there but never seen it , I have seen the scimitar a few times when I have been at Paul’s mum and dad’s house (Paul is one of the brothers ) it’s good that they are keeping both cars,I’ve been waiting weeks for this video but i am still mad that Paul didn’t let me know you were going ,it would of been great to meet you Johnny I have followed your channel for a good while now ,thanks for sharing this video
These are such great little cars. Memories of that first motoring experience. Amazing condition for the year. So many rotted away on driveways and gardens…..such a shame. Good to hear that both cars are being restored. The scimitar looked in good condition too bearing in mind it’s sat outside all its life. Worthy of a revisit when restored I think. 👍🏼
Lovely. A mk1 Mini Minor is still my shopping car. It was my Mum's favourite car. I had it restored too, after she died. They are great cars
Johnny, the excitement in your voice is amazing. Thank you for making these videos. I love cars and bikes.
I'm 46 grew up in Cork City, Ireland.
I live in northern Wisconsin U.S.A. now. These barn finds bring a great feeling of Nostalgia. I remember walking to school seeing many minis going by or parked on the footpath.
When I listen to you and Richard on Smith and Sniff i am reminded of hanging out with my brother Kenneth working on motorbikes in the back shed.
Anyway, thanks again. Wishing you every success. Also the leg day dance sequence, we need more 😂😂😂❤❤❤
The discovery at [3:05] is incredible! It’s rare to find something with so much historical value
Back in 1986 my sister had one of these 850's ( Sliding windows, external hinges ) I fitted a 1275GT engine and Cooper S disc brakes... it was the most fun car I ever drove. From memory these very early ones where originally positive earth from the battery ? Im sure they had an additional push button starter solenoid under the bonnet too .
The Mark 1s and 2s were indeed postive earth, Martin , but the cars with floor button start did not have a solenoid as there was no need for one !.Recommisioning my ' 61 car , has given enormous problems locating the exact correct exhaust system as it has to avoid the live contacts exposed under the car !.In the end sourced genuine old stock parts as most pattern ones are inaccurate.
I do love me a little Mini. I had a later 850 City back in 1985. Drove to Gretna Green in it, stayed at the Gretna Chase hotel and we got married on Midsummers day without telling anyone beforehand. We camped around Scotland for the next week. Also the car I had when my better half was pregnant with my daughter. Drove the wheels off it to get to the hospital when my wife informed me she imminent. They're not quick, but the go kart handling around town makes up for it. Mind you, it was utterly terrifying to drive on a motorway!
Great episode. I love that they’re keeping both the Mini Minor and the Scimitar. Lovely warble from that A Series.
My first car was the same as this in red. Reg no was 8617 PU, so just a little later than this blue example. Great memories.
It would be great to see you revisit some of the barn finds after the owners have them recommissioned, I bet this would be a good one in afew years👍
Jonny this has to be my favourite barn find being a mini lover! As for a restoration for the owner I would recommend Minimine in Stoke on Trent their attention to detail to keep this car original would be like nothing else. I can’t wait to set this one done
Brilliant double whammy Jonny. Reminds me of my first car I got in 1972, A 1965 Morris Mini Minor 850,53kon the clock. I had to start spannering soon when the head gasket went after a few weeks 😂😂 great barn find, pure nostalgia, and great that family is keeping both cars👍😎
What a little sweetheart!! Dad had a 1959 Morris mini minor YYG74 we went all around England in it as Kids.Mum Dad 3 kids and sometimes the baby sitter.
My dad has had his Scimitar since '74, he bought it when my mum found out I, the third child, was on the way. I too have memories of driving around in the boot, through France, towing a trailer tent in the late 70's, I can attest to pain of occasionally hitting the boot hinge with my head! We still have the Scimitar, driving daily and still going strong in its Nevada yellow, delighted to see the featured car is in for a mechanical treat on another channel! The mini also a gorgeous, loving the retro connect 4 box seen through the window, it's the wee details 😎👌
Johnny sweating it with the foot pump, while just behind him was an air compressor...
A friend of mine had a series of minis back in the 1970s and I helped him with engine work and upgrades, so this brought back memories!
Nothing puts a huge smile on my face than a Classic Mini! I had a little cheer when she started. Lovely Mini! Thanks for making my day Jonny!
Good to see you in my hometown. Great episode. The love of rare and interesting cars is truly countrywide
I love these reels and the sense of wonderment when a car turns over. Plus there is something magical about the early Minis and their simplicity.
Another fantastic video Johnny, the Mini did not take too long to get started and does not seem in bad nick, would be good to revisit this once the car has had the nut and bolt resto.
Yet another great find. Whilst you were tinkering with the carb, I found myself saying check the dash pot for oil. Did you??
I did, fear not
Dry dash pot = poor running. It caught my Dad out on his Morris 1300
What a great episode, superb little mini.
The way you film these and your presentation makes them so engaging.
Another cracking find - just how many more early Mk1 Minis can there be left to unearth...? I've just noticed that it has the little 'safety boss' behind the ends of the door handles, these were fitted to all Mk1s from January '66 onwards so the doors are probably from a later car.
Love that mini and so good to hear that it’s going to be nut n bolt resto - please keep your dad’s door hinges though ❤️
When you turned the ignition key and went to press the starter button I knew exactly what the green and orange lights on the speedo should look like and for some reason I could smell butterscotch. Strong childhood memories.
Oddly it seems to have mk2 door handles... with the chrome button on the door .... also very strange I'm pretty sure that the rear window is later mk1/mk2 size..... mk1s were quite s narrow window in comparison....
This by far is my favourite video great to see a mk1 in such great shape and going to be fully restored
Hope you don’t mind me commenting, however it’s always a good idea to keep the clutch pedal depressed when trying to start a car. Reason is it prevents the gearbox turning, so less effort required to turn motor over… I have been to many cars that wouldn’t start, battery getting tired but using technique described managed to get them to start. Spent my apprenticeship at BMC dealership, done most things on Minis . Enjoyed the video ,thanks .
I was taught that over 40 years ago.
Incredible that these lovely old cars are still turning up - and that Mini in incredible condition too.
Brilliant. I'd like to see a couple of feature length follow ups on the resto of the mini and the Scimitar, too. Great episode 👏
Wow! who can resist a Mini barn find?? I really wish i could find my old mini, defo buy it back and go full pelt on it! The tax on it expired in April 96 - so is she sat in a barn somewhere........... to be viewed on a barn find near you shortly!! Let's hope! Great episode Jonny.
Could we get updates on these two occasionally? I would love to see the progress on the Mini.
Floor start, sliding windows- Fantastic. And of course the switch extension rubber extensions. My dad had one when I was a kid and we went everywhere in it. Our reg was 735 FRP I often wonder if it is still out there.
What a great episode! My first car was a Mini and judging how rotten that was at only 8yrs old - this is a miracle! So happy to hear it will get a resto. Brought back a lot of memories for me, incredible cars really. Thanks for another brilliant BF.
Excellent video as always! My Dad worked at Reliant for several years in the late 60s/early 70's , always loved the Ogle designed Scimitar. Often one of the designers who lived close to us in Dosthill Stafforshire, close to the factory in Twogates on the A5 had a prototype parked in his drive.. Keep up the great work. Malcolm
such a treat! so thrilled the family is keeping both cars and restoring them each. not something everyone is in the position to do.
the scimitar play list is perfect!
so enjoyable, Jonny, and to see the mini run after such a long time! Wonderful to know that the mini and the "other car" are staying witrh the family, and for the mini to be fully restored, maybe have the original engine put back?? Best wishes from Lincolnshire.
I own a Scimitar in the UK and just love it. Thank you so much Jonny please keep doing this, I learnt to drive in a Mini in 1975 and had a pre-reg starter on the floor Mini just like this ........ VERY well done , truly magnificent ...... Thank You Richard in Arizona USA
I love a garage smell. For me it was the smell of oil and grease. Dad backing his car out to work on it. After dad i passed i had to get into the garage to find something. Sadly as i did all the memories of him came back and i had to close it. It was too much. Bless car memories and smells.
My dad came to Australia in the early 60’s from northern England. He bought a brand new mini deluxe! He drove it from Sydney to lightning ridge. I still have the photos of his trip.
It would be great if you did a follow up post restoration. Another great find and great vid. Steve seemed a lovely guy too!!!
I had my mini repainted in John Players colours, but it needed repairs to the headlight surrounds. I spent days with filler remoulding the wings. Then went to buy some of the weld trim pieces. They were just £1.50 each, so I enquired how much were the bare wings, and was told £2.50 each.... after I had spent double that amount on filler..!
What a delightful episode Jonny. Thank you.
I hope you are able to monitor any future progress on that Mini.
We will, we promise...
@@TheLateBrakeShow
Good man 👍
What an amazing history. Hopefully, you can come back and film them when they are restored
Another barn find on a car I used to own from 1982 to 84. I had a B reg 850 MK1 in green, also had MK 2 F reg previous to the B reg, but that some how didn’t have the charm of the MK1. It never let me down badly, but it did have tendency to overheat in hot weather, especially after I changed the cylinder head for a 1.0L cooper to give a bit more poke😮.
Also brings back memories of covering the inside of the grille with a plastic bag to stop water getting into the distributor, I also distinctly remember when going through large puddles of water at any reasonable speed, water would spray up around a gap in the gear stick and splash anyone in the back seat😅. I ran the car on shoestring budget, loved it, it went to the scrap yard eventually as it wasn’t cost effective to repair😂, also by 84 I had a company van
'Swapped it out'. FFS 😂
The original colour is Clipper blue.
I passed my driving test in a mini around 1980 and never drove again until I moved to the US. My first car here was a 1974 VW Bug that caught fire and burnt while I was driving it. Never a good idea to put the battery under the back seat with coils. That car was the original Christine! An expat watching in FL.
Great stuff Jonny, as always. I love the way that (either inadvertently or deliberately) you apply a liberal smear of Alan Partridges patent TV oil to your work. Brilliant. Jackanackanory. 👍
What lovely cars.I love the barn finds series with the stories n stuff.Hope you do some revisits to some of them.xx
Jonny you have one of the best and most interesting shows on Y tube family and car history again great indeed
Great video again, not knowing if we’re being treated to an Aston Martin or a mini makes each video worth watching, 2 guys turn up off the street and muck in,you’ve built up a great following
Such a great episode! I have an SE6 and this makes me eager to get it out of the shed come Springtime! That Mini is something else though - so great to see.
Well done Jonny brilliant what a well sort after classic love it remember my mums mini clubman estate which was family car in the 90s brings back memories.
Sensational episode! Please, please do a follow up with both. My Grandad had a Scimitar GTC so particularly interested to see that GTE restomoded!
My first car when I passed my test in 1984 was a 1971 J reg Mini 850. I remember buying it from a person living in Wymondham for £275. I loved that little car. It was black with Dunlop alloy wheels, Tudor Webasto sunroof, bumper overiders and a custom sheet aluminium grille. After that I bought a T reg Mini 1000 in blue. I would love to own another Mini at some point because they are such fun cars to own and drive.
+++++
Some mk1 mini front hinges were brass, they are very sought after as the later steel one rust terribly
Just wonderful...! This episode has a really good feeling about it. That little Mini is super - So pleased that it'll get a new lease of life. Bonus Scimitar restomod is a great idea. PS: I also had one of those beach buggy style police cars. You put batteries in the light on the front. It had those shady pedals that didn't go round but sort of went forwards and backwards. Was RWD with no sprag so you could do good skids by leaning forwards and locking up the back end 😂
I had a mark 1 mini, it was absolutely brilliant, I often say to young drivers, you haven’t experienced driving until you’ve drove a original mini absolutely amazing the sound, the steering and the way it hugs the road it feels alive
Other than the cars what is also great about the barn finds are the owners. They contribute so much. Steve was no exception
Best Mini, Morris Mini...Minor. I've owned a few Minis and a 1961 Minor 1000 over the years. I now own a 1932 Morris Minor Two-Seater which pre-dates the Morris Eight and post-war Minor and is the original (1928-1934) small Morris car. Over the last 3 years I've done over 10,000 miles in it, including 1,200 miles over 8 days back in June when I took it up to the Scottish Highlands in 28 degree heat. No problem. Hoping to take it to France next year.
As you know Jonny, I LOVE your Barn Finds! However this one is very special to me! My granddad had one of first ones (1958). He passed away with gangrene in 1976. We sold it quite a number of years later. I was still a child, so can't remember who to. It was maroon with a cream grill. As far as I knew, it never had that back bumper! So I would be a child from 5 through 12. His wife, my nanna, was the last grand parent to pass away in the early to mid-eighties. She was in her mid-eighties. I wonder if the car is still around!
A mate of mine had a 1960 mini we went everywhere in it but it occasionally stopped when it poured with rain. Unfortunately we had an accident in 1966 and wrote it off, we hit a Ford Anglia and completely took the offside wing off the Anglia. Those early minis were made of slightly thicker steel than the later ones.
Oh that sound....of the starter motor just spinning up!!
I've heard that sound more than a few times with my Mk2 Cooper 😄
Delighted that you got it fired up and back running Jonny.
Even more so, that the family are going to keep it and get it restored.
Great to see it being driven by the following generations of the family.
I wonder, would you do a sort of mini series (no pun intended) of the
car during its restoration Jonny? I think a lot of people would love to follow
its journey back to going back on the road.
The cutest European cars:
- The 2cv - all the models
- The old (not the new) Mini,
- Oval Beetle (not the later ones),
- DKW.
One of which is what I expected to see on the video😁
Fiat 500 the cutest!
Thanks
What a fab little car. So many memories. My mother had 8835 MX, a 63 Morris Mini Minor deluxe with the 848cc. A steep hill with the obligatory 4 or 5 kids on the back seat was a slow affair in second gear!
Amazing legacy to a wonderful dad, so happy the held onto these cars!
Please can we have some follow-up videos of this and other barn finds…awesome content
Wow !!, what a survivor 😮. Hope it doesn’t get over restored 💰💰💰 Looks great as it is 😍
the montage when the car first gets pushed out & is on its own is its own mini video!! The music gave it a sense of coolness- great song selection & phots!🎉
My first car in 1970 was a blue 1959 mini. I took 5 of my mates to Hunstanton in it, a 100 mile round trip.
any with your brother Johnny, I don't have siblings so maybe that is why, but your brother is just awesome energy for the episode. great show, well executed...
Loving seeing that Mini cough to life. I had a '65 Minivan panel van that someone had installed an 1100cc engine into, but on top of the original gearbox. It ran out of gears at about 80kh but it got there quick! Unfortunately it needed a lot of work and I had no money for it so it had to go, I still miss it.
What a fantastic car to own with a awesome family history and story to tell! Love it
Absolutely brilliant Johnny . Enjoyed every second . Keep up the fantastic work, it's really
appreciated. Please say you've got another good one for us to watch over the Christmas break 🙏
My first car was 67 mini back in 1975, loved it, always wanted it back 😂
I know the Norwich Loco works well, started out working there in the early 00s. Hope the Mini gets fully fixed up. What a car that will be to bimble around in.
Hi Jonny. Another great find ! Those doors in the shed are correct and have handles are shorter . Those door hinges are probably the originals , the early ones were brass . In the day you could get a repair kit to replace the hinge pins . And l'd bet the Scimitar was probably Ford Aubergine . I'm surprised you didn't try and get that going too !!! 😆 l had an identical mini in the '70's and decided to deseam it !! Well l did and then decided l didn't want the car so gave it away !!!! Thanks Jonny
Nice finds, it would be a big bonus if we could see the restorations of these two cars. I had a Morris Mini Mk 1, mine was a 1965 model with that 'magic wand' style gear lever. These cars were so basic, which reminds me of some of the French cars of the time as well, Renault, Citroen, Peugeot etc. Totally different kind of motoring than today.
The oval speedo cluster is I sure a later addition, the Mk 1 had the round cluster, with I think only the temp gauge and speedometer.