I restored a mini for when i was 17, it took me a year to do but it taught me a lot, i had it fully de-seamed, and de-bumpered. The bumpers were re-profiled with body filler, it looked smart too on mini lite wheels 10x6`s
It started off as a city but i fitted the usual bucket seats, 5 point harnesses, my own carbon dash and centre console. It kept me off the streets
Originally it had a 998 in it but i soon got bored, my dad gave up rallying and i nicked the engine out of the rally car 1430 with webber carbs, fast road cam etc.
That thing flew, well it left an unmarked cop car standing from the lights but more of that later
It was super unreliable though, i was only doing 40 mile a day but it drank fuel like there was a hole in the tank. And motorway driving was just a chore.
I love mini`s but they are not safe anymore, when you look at the other super minis they have all grown and obviously hit a lot harder than a little mini does. (just ask my brother)
If you look, at the fiestas/golf`s etc of the 80`s and look at them today you will see that they have grown over the years, is this done to make way for the ford ka`s and polos etc?