http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/0/22294640

Here’s a picture I took of one last year:

PL-Performance Imp by hairydalek, on Flickr

I've got a few shots somewhere of them drag-racing.

My dad had one when I was 5

I'd love to own a proper Mini.

My mum bought a new one in the 70s.

I seem to remember that it spent a lot of time being repaired, and there was a large oily patch on the garage floor where it stood...

If I had the cash I'd buy one (a mini) that was in good structural shape and invest in a modern engine, modern suspension and modern breaks etc.

I'm not sure how you'd sensibly fit "modern suspension" to a car which I understand is rather unique in that department, although IANAM.

Also, unfortunately with most old cars in the "structural shape" that's knackered. We really didn't have great corrosion protection back then. You do see a few around still though, so it's still possible.

Are there specialist companies who will take an old mini and 'modernise' it for you, knowing how to the pitfalls in doing so? There are quite a few of those for other well known classic cars.

I keep thinking that about Morris Minors.

Hell no.

I'd probably go for a Moggie, too. The refurbished ones, with Marina brakes and suspension, look particularly nice. A fairly roomy, fairly practical classic motor.

They have Marina brakes, Ital gear boxes and other bits and bobs from compatible cars. The engine housing is big enough to take much larger engines - some have managed to get 3 litre blocks in there. The best bit - they still make that funny farting noises when going from first to second gear!

A refurbished Morris Traveller can start from £15,000!

I checked Autotrader earlier, and there were a couple of restored Travellers starting a reasonable £3,500 or so.

I was more taken by the convertible, though. White with the red roof.

When I was looking, I was looking at specialist refurb outfits where a lot of extra work had been done. Effectively getting a "new" car.

Sadly, nowhere here for a third car really.

If it happens, the proposed EU roadworthiness legislation would make such car developments illegal.
"The draft of the new Directive has implications for all motorists, not just historic vehicle owners. Amongst other things, the draft includes requirements to test all trailers (which in turn implies a registration system) and requires tests to make reference to a vehicle’s original ‘technical characteristics’. The meaning of this expression is not defined. National governments are granted the right to make their own testing arrangements for ‘vehicles of historic interest’. A vehicle of historic interest is then defined as one that
• Was manufactured more than 30 years ago
• Is maintained by use of replacement parts which reproduce the historic components of the vehicle
• Has not sustained any change in the technical characteristics of its main components such as engine, brakes, steering or suspension; and
• Has not been changed in its appearance."

Um, it doesn't say that at all.