Mini : Purchase and Restoration Guide [Hardcover]

Lindsay Porter (Author)

Book Description

Series: Restoration Manuals | Publication Date: January 14, 1999

Filled with everything restorers are looking for including Mini history, buying information, specs, bodywork, mechanics, interiors, electrics, mods, tools, color schemes, clubs and more. Clear, step-by-step photographs and instructions make this the book for renovating your bodywork and interiors, giving new life to mechanical and electrical components, plus improved performance and appearance. Covers all models including Mini Cooper. Strongly recommended. For those who love Minis, or are thinking about buying.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lindsay Porter is a well-respected and prolific author of practical automotive books and manuals. He lives in Bromyard, Herefordshire.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Haynes Publishing; 2nd edition (January 14, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1859604404
• ISBN-13: 978-1859604403
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #468,712 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For owners of sick Minis, June 7, 2001

By 

Nicholas Gomez "www.bikervoodoo.com" (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mini : Purchase and Restoration Guide (Hardcover)

My Mini was in horrible shape and had been sitting around unused for 3 years. When my welding equipment finally arrived my father decided to get this book to help us with our restoration. In my case the front end of my car had been smashed by a previous owner and getting the original shape back would be almost impossible with my bodyworking skills. The book shows how to do this although I would really prefer more close up pics of EXACTLY how the front can be cut off carefully in order to preserve it. Sometimes you can buy a used Mini and chop off the front for less than it would cost to buy repair panels. This is especially true in countries far away from the UK where it is much easier and cost effective to buy brand new Rover replacement panels.

The photography is all in black and white and if you're familiar with Porters books this shouldn't come as a surprise. This might be a little dissapointing as these days there are websites where people post full colour, detailed pictures of their restoration projects. I may be mistaken but I believe this book was written in the 80s.

One dissapointment to me was the fact that there was no information on completely replacing the floorboards. The paint and upholstery scheme charts only go up to 1969 which was unfortunate since my car is a 1975 model Mini 1000.

It is not a book on metalworking but it would be nice to have sections on how to build floorboards from scratch. The Mini floorboards are not very complicated compared to newer cars and I believe this is something that a lot of hobbyists can do.

It would be good to have Porters bodyworking book, or the Richard Finch book on welding to aid you in your restoration if you're going to do it yourself. For engine repairs the two Haynes books on Minis would be good. If you're going to do any performance modifications then David Vizard's book on A-series engines is a must-have.

In conclusion I would recommend this book to beginners who want to restore their Minis but they should also get the relevant service manuals, bodywork and welding books. Experienced Mini enthusiasts might be dissapointed. 10 years ago, I thought the Porter book on VW Beetle restoration was excellent but when I read it now, after years of reading magazines, watching friends cars being restored and looking at websites, I don't have the same enthusiasm I had for his book as I did earlier but I still think his writing is good and very relevant as a guide to restoration efforts for beginners and even people with experience.

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Mini Restoration guide, September 19, 2010

By 

PenName - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mini : Purchase and Restoration Guide (Hardcover)

It had all of the right information. This was my first mini and I used the book at first to aquaint myself with the car. Now it will come in handy with the overall restoration. I was glad to have found this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars More than a step-by-step guide, January 30, 2010

By 

Steve Simpson - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mini : Purchase and Restoration Guide (Hardcover)

In addition to providing helpful step-by-step instructions and guidance on restoring a Classic Mini, this manual has a rich historical section to help understand the heritage of the vehicles.