Luck!
Luck!
Good luck. A Mini (real one) is on my bucket list.
Good luck!
I found registering my old bikes fairly easy so I hope they're not making it too difficult for you either.
You'll NOT regret it. RHD??? Give us some specs man!!
Random people will be compelled to wave at you while driving it. Others will be forced to smile. The first time a 18 wheeler passes you on the highway will be nerve splitting.
Very cool crate picture.
Did you go to the UK and buy this in person or go through some sort of buying service and therefore surprised by the roof?
At $4,500 delivered it seems like a deal!
wow, $4500 what a good deal. any extra taxes or duty to import? I might have to start looking for one. Did you go over to find it or did the broker located and arrange everything?
Looks great. Cool that you got pictures of it still in the crate!
HOLY COW!! $4500?? 
That does it... I gotta get my E30 sold ASAP.
Ditto what jonnyd said. After watching seeing a recent episode of Wheeler Dealers where they picked up a rust-free Mini for ~500L, I've also been wondering about finding an 80's version to import.
That crate picture is awesome. What a great story to tell.
Ok - we need more details - there was a thread a while back about what cars to import when they hit legal age. You actually did it - so my question is where's the write up for the how-to?
I would be amazed if he answers today.
If it were me on day 1 of long awaited Mini arrival it could be days before you heard from me!
WOW! MOAR Mini!!
I cannot believe that was $4500 all in. Who was the agent? I need to make a "how to" list for when I decide to do this. Was it the US Ebay site, or the UK?
This on the uk site:
What a cutie. You're gonna have fun.
By the way, they love 10" wheels, much better than 12" or 13". You might have to screw with the brakes if you have discs (and I think you do on an '86) but it's worth it.
Holy Jeebus, that rocks. The Missus and I have oft discussed getting a classic Mini, but the prices are ridiculous. This seems very doable. Damn.
ultraclyde wrote: Holy Jeebus, that rocks. The Missus and I have oft discussed getting a classic Mini, but the prices are ridiculous. This seems very doable. Damn.
Agreed. Looking at prices for cars already in the US is rather disheartening.
I did some searching a week or so after having day-dreams of finding a slightly ratty Mini and setting it up for rallycross.
$4500 would have one in our driveway, no question. Hows the rust? I hear they...dissolve. :)
Datsun1500 wrote: I got it on Ebay. The seller was willing to ship to any port as long as I arranged it. I found a broker in Baltimore that had done it before so I went for it. $2900 for the car, shipping, fees, duty,etc. was the extra. Broker does all paperwork, stamps, pays fees, etc. and you write a check to them. I will probably do another one the same way for my kids.
You got details on these folks? I'm REALLY tempted to scare up a wad of cash and do this myself, especially at 4500$.
Awesome!!
Did anyone first read this plate as ESCAPE? 
-Rob
Of course you do realize that everyone of us reading this post is now thinking about doing the exact same thing. A classic Mini like that would be so cool!! Good score and good job! A little more info on the broker would be most helpful. 
Psst - gbcarparts.com. Hang on to that for later
I was just outside the port of baltimore today (at the pick-n-pull) and the Blue Angels flew over. Probably in honor of your car arriving :)
IF the car is as good as it looks in the photos it was well bought. But...I caution those of you excited about the prospect of buying one sight unseen in the UK that it's a very risky thing to do. These cars rust like crazy, and the people over there will "bodge" them together in ways we would never accept. Not saying it can't be done, but it's not as easy as bidding on an eBay car that has six photos and getting a good one.
My Mini was imported into Canada privately by the previous owner, also an eBay purchase similar to yours. Also a good final result I brought it into the US much the same way you did, by hiring a broker for a surprisingly small amount. It's not that hard if you're willing to do your homework. The hard part is deciding on a car!
Please do post more info on the seller: I wouldn't really quibble over an extra 1k or so if I knew I was getting a decent example. My wife saw your pictures and price...and got REALLY excited. 
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