I looked, but no longer have the contact info for the place that I got some odds and ends from after buying my car (bits that either aren't available new, or only come with big, expensive assemblies when I only needed a little part of it).

The funniest part, was that I did buy some quarter windows and they were shipped all the way from the UK to my house, not in some careful packing, but, literally, just a bit of bubble wrap and two sheets of cardboard. I don't think I could ship a piece of glass to my next door neighbor like that and have it get there unbroken, but these came half way around the world in perfect shape!

Oh, and it is not a bad idea to replace the rubber "caulking" that goes between the stainless frame and the glass, on an old set of quarter windows. Our host sells it. The stuff is un-vulcanized rubber, so use a heat gun or a hair dryer to warm it before working with it, then trim off the excess with a razor blade when you are done. It is easy to do (when warm and pliable), and will help prevent them from rattling, if the old stuff is all dried out.

Norm

I love the rear quarter glass idea. Although, I did a quick Google search and din't come up with anything. Anyone know a good source?

Dan 

Great road trip and gutsy too considering it was new to you. Sounds like you've go a winner on your hands. 395 is heavily traveled (not like the 5 but you always see Hiway Patrol on there, regretfully) and a good call for your detour, besides you got to drive in some cooler temps and saw some of the best country in Kalyfoornya if you ask me.

The pop out windows are a plus, although you've already got twice the air flow of a sliding window mini. Good luck with your new toy.  dan

"I don't know much, but what I do know I know little of "

I concur, do the hinged quarter glass upgrade. I did it to mine, very easy and the improved ventilation is a godsend.

Life ain't no use, if you ain't got the boost.  The boost you get from Loosener's!   Loosener's Caster Oil Flakes, the "All Weather Breakfast".

You set the window assembly into the opening (with the new weatherstrips installed), and then drill the two hinge holes. Drill the latch holes last, and make sure the window is centered in the opening first.

Mind, when you drill the latch holes that you don't make them too far rearward or the toggle won't properly go "over center" and hold the window open.

Also, a '90s mini's radiator is probably a 15 year old (rusty and ready for refurbishment). I bet that if you pop in a new Super 2 radiator, a new thermostat, give the engine and heater a real good flush and a set of new hoses you'll be right as rain.

Welcome to the fold,

Norm

1966 Austin Cooper S

1965 Triumph TR4A

1965 Triumph Spitfire

We don't need no stinkin' BMW's

I checked the oil and the level stayed consistent. Although I was fully expecting them, I haven't found any drips in my driveway yet either. I have a list of issues the previous owner had experienced and, as far as I know, dealt with. The worts issue is when it shiftts from first to second the transmission does a quick rev/slip thing. I guess it been doing it for two years and it hasn't exploded yet.  Hopefully I can eventually convince someone to help me rebuild it.

Dan 

Glad you made the trip with success. I think the small gas tank was designed as a safety device for the lower end of your hiney.

Gives you a chance to stretch when you refill the tank.

Now get it ready to drive over to MMW next week.

Dean



dooderwear.com Dooderopolis Spring Thing or Bust 2006 Spring Thing 2007 Spring Thing 2008

Boy , what a story, very well written as well-

You sure got lucky and found a great mini-

And we have all been there at "white knuckle" , seems to follow minis around-

BTW, did it burn any oil  on the trip ?

BIG AL

Good man!

There are Minis and Minis.  Some are driven.  I can imagine your sense of adventure with "a brand new to you" Mini on a fairly long first drive...in hot weather etc.

You and your family will have a wonderful relationship with your Mini.

Mini friends!  Mini rides!

Restored/modified Mini 1000 with 1380cc power unit, 2.95:1 FD, adj. suspension, S discs/drums, 10x5 Minilites, 165x70 A008s, custom trim and matching custom trailer.

That's a great trip, I wouldn't even attempt it in my Mini, let alone one I just bought. I don't even like taking a 15 minute trip in mine, it would probably involve walking. Mt Shasta never changes. The last time I pasted through there, about 6 years ago, they had road destruction too. Good luck with the Mini. Dean

But Mom, can't I play with it until I just need glasses?

The fact that you chose Hwy 395, the desert route was pretty manly to begin with!  Great looking mini!

willy

How exciting!!! I bet your adrenaline was pumping pretty good most of the trip!

That is an experience you'll remember for the rest of your life and smile!! I am very happy for you and it sounds like you bought a great Mini ! It's a good looking car to boot!

Kristina

DON'T feed the trolls

On I5 in the cooler weather I was cruising at 75 quite nicely. On the 395 and through the desert it was more like 65-70. I didn't want to push too hard. I have the secondary thermostatic fan, but I don't think it was working. At least I never heard it go on.

Can anyone tell me what kind of mileage I should be expecting on a 1275 carburator model? 

Shirts for the Corporate Masochists < new designs!

Well I made it! I am now a proud owner of a '79/1993 Mini Sprite. Thanks again to everyone for their input and information before I left. Here's a quick rundown:

Day 1:
Got up at 5am and flew from Phoenix, AZ to Tacoma, WA. The old owner met me at the airport and let me drive it to her house in Tacoma. This gave me a pretty good idea of how it was going to run. I looked it all over and made the deal. From there I drove it about 200 miles south to Portland. The weather was perfect in the 50's and it handled great on I5. I have a good friend in Portland, so I was able to crash at his house for the night. I was so tired from the travel and stress of buying I don't remember much else.

Day 2:
First loooong day of driving. I headed out of Portland back to I5. I stopped at a gas station and checked my tires which were low and fix a loose side mirror. This middle aged woman comes stumbling out of the woods, reeking of alcohol pinching a doobie between her fingers and starts going gaga over my car and asking where I was when she was younger. I made a hasty departure before she tried to jump or anything. So, one thing I didn't factor into the drive was a six gallon gas tank. I was getting about 35 mpg, but had to stop every 2-3 hours for gas. After much debate before I left on the route, I decided to exit at Mt. Shata and head over to the 395. As I drove south, the temperature outside went up and when I hit Mt. Shasta, so did my temp gauge. Until now it stayed right at the white operating line, but it went up above that. I freaked out a little, but stuck with it and the temp only went about half way up to the red line. Long story short, I made my way to Reno, then Carson City, then finally stopping at Lake Topaz, NV as it got dark. This wound up being a 13 hour day.

Day 3:
I was hoping to get all the way to Bishop the day before, but stopped because I just happened to pass a Best Western as it was getting real dark. After staring out it was quickly apparent I had made the right decision. Thsi part of the drive took me winding through the mountains and climbing up to 8000 ft. I also learned Mini's do not like hills at altitude. I made my way past Lake Tahoe, around Yosemite and past the fringes of Death Valley. I would have loved to stop, but I just wanted to get home. The one stop I did make was at Gus' Really Good Beef Jerky on 395 about 150 miles north of San Bernadino. I have to say, at this point I'm driving through desert and it was hot. What I couldn't predict was it was going to be the hottest day of the summer yet. The scariest moment I had was in San Bernadino as I sat at a really long light, my temperature gauge started crawling up and fortunately the light changed just as it hit red and I started to smell antifreeze. It cooled down some, but I white knuckled the rest of the way through Indio and Blythe and back to Phoenix. Phoenix happened to be 115 that day. I saw so many overheated vehicles through the desert, but mine seemed to stabilize and stay about three quarters to the red. Only once did I personally feel the need to pass out, but fought it off with a gargantuan tub of iced tea from Burger King. I came home to my family having hung streamers and a finish line in our driveway. That was cool. This day wound up being a 15 hour day.

Nothing like an insane roadtrip in a vehicle not really designed to be driven for 13-15 hours staright to make you feel like a man! Here's a few pics to inspire others to carpe diem!

Starting out:

Mount Shasta:

Lake Topaz in the morning:

Gus' Real Good Beef Jerky:

The never ending desert: