Buying a 66' super minx..

[oddbal]

Hi all! Im looking to purchase a 1966 super minx. Ive checked all of the obvious places for rust, the underneath is sound as far as I can see. There is a few bubbles under the paint half way up the drivers door!? and some minor bubbles along the sill/underneath the doors. Do you think its anything to worry about ? If so is it economically fixable? Im only 19, and do have a morris minor so I know a little bit about old cars...

I look forward to your replies!

[thowman]

I would be very concerned by any bubbles in the paintwork along the sills. Depends what your budget is, but i would carry on looking.

The sills can be replaced, but unlike minors, where the panels are easy to get hold of, minx sills are more expensive and rarer, express panels being the best ones. It's all repairable, just time consuming - but there again, they are lovely cars, and far more unusual than a minor.

[oddbal]

Thanks for your speedy reply. How serious do you think the bubbles are? Im going to be using the car daily and I am willing to sort problems out as and when they arise. Here are some photos.. what do you think?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181217629795? ... 1438.l2649

[thowman]

Bubbles in the paint work is the first sign of rust underneath. If there are bubbles on the sill, underneath the door, then to me that is where a repair sill has been put on and perhaps not properly rust proofed. I would be checking the area with a magnet to see if it's been filled, and poking it to see how strong it is.

The car looks nice, no doubt a recent recipient of a respray. It is too white for a start, the Super Minx of this year was sold only in Artic White, and the white on the car looks a lot brighter. Also, it looks like the chrome strip was painted that is a long the middle of the wing at the rear, and on the bootlid (it is a pain to remove to paint), and also the where the drives door is open, it is clearly a different colour. I'd guess that someone in the past has tarted the car up and painted it and sold it on. How long has the current owner had it? How much did he pay for it? The ad doesn't say much, which to me is a bit iffy.

The main areas to poke around in are the wheel arches, especially inner, the bit where the rear wing joins the rear sill, rear arches, around the rear corners and valance. Look to see if you can see any repairs in there, or there is any kind of weakness. I'd also give the sills a damn good look at to see if there are any signs of weakness, both on the outside, and more importantly between the floor and the sill where there is an angled piece of metal that is prone to rotting out.

Where are the bubble on the door?

From a distance it looks a nice car, but I would be wary as it looks a bit tarted up to me. I'd rather pay less and do the work myself - at least I know what hasn't been hidden. I'd be asking the owner more questions.

Cheers

Andy

[oddbal]

Hi Andy, I have bought the car today! Before your post . But going back today and giving it another once over the floor and underside is solid and there only a few bubbles on the sill (on one side) towards the rear. As far as the engine, transmission and interior are concerned its a tip top car for me to use as a run around.

Just so you know, I purchased the car for the mighty sum of £1,200 so im happy!

Oh and do expect many questions from me in the near future

Thomas

[thowman]

Hi Thomas

Congratulations on the purchase. That is a good price for a car in that condition. I hope the bubbles are not too serious.

Cheers

Andy