Buying £ of a '73 Mini 850

[d34n0]

Afternoon all,
 
I'm trying to find a mini, not to bothered on year or engine, condition etc just got to have th right look and be in a condidtion that I can do some work but not be over run and off road for ages.
 
Ive looked at a few but nothing really got me really interested yet. I'm in no hurry as itll be a weekend project run about.
 
I followed up on a lead the other day from a guy at work and this is what Id like a little advice on . . .
 
What do you think this car should be both, as it stands & finished.
 
Its a 1973 850 saloon. Been in a warm garage for 20 odd years. Completly stripped & needing rebuild, re-spray and engine. When he laid it up it had suffered a wiring fire so bulk head, skuttle & roof are burnt. The underside is near mint only very minor welding has happened or is needed. He has pretty much all parts for the car including few spares but id need to replace engine as its seized (& in my opinion not worth re-building an 850!)
 
If I could have a little advice on what it would roughly be worth as stands & when finished with say a 1000cc engine fitted & a good but cheap re-spray done it would be much appriciated.
 
Cheers,
 
Dean.

[composimmonite]

If as described I can easily see it making £1000-1500 range on eBay. Reason is "scene" tax of a Mini - tax exempt, 10" wheels, original condition etc all increase it's value. If fact original condition might mean it's worth more than one that is modified / uprated when finished so keep the 850 so it can be rebuilt and reinstated at a later date.

Paul h

[120y]

Id keep the 850 engine too and rebuild it, not many 850 minis left now and they are surprisingly nippy, I had a mini 850 as my first car after passing my test in 1990 RDN974T where are you now ? I loved that car even the poo shade of brown it came with.
Sounds like you could have a bargain body there to build on.

[RetroWarwicK]

fit a 998cc engine as a temp solution whilst you get the 850 rebuilt. it'll be worth far more a)because its got its original 850 b) it'll be a matching numbers car.

[jonw]

I agree with the above. The 850 is a surprisingly nippy little engine. Twin carbs and a bit or head work and it'll leave and 1ltr behind and even surprise a 1275.