On the road

Eager and fun, the Elf/hornet feels livelier than performance figures suggest. Check what engine is actually fitted – BMC engine codes can be found online. Engines get rattly, oily and smoky when worn, and it’s worth budgeting for an unleaded conversion if it’s not been done. Cooling gets marginal as the side-mounted radiator silts up over time, and the water pump can leak.

Check for oil in the water and emulsion under the oil filler cap: a new radiator and head gasket is not a big job. Clonking and shuddering when taking up drive is probably just stabiliser bushes and engine mountings, which is an easy fix.

Dirty oil is bad news for the gearbox as well as the engine – some chatter from the gearbox at tickover is acceptable, but loud rattling when driving means a worn bearing that could wreck the casing. Automatics are an acquired taste but usually durable and certainly a boon in traffic. Check the manual override selects promptly and be wary of rough changes.

Rubber suspension gives a firm and bumpy ride; Hydrolastic is more compliant and can still be pumped up by many garages if required, due to its use on MGFS. Check for leaks and rusty pipework, though. Extra soundproofing and improved trim made the cars more comfortable than the standard Mini.

There’s heaps of potential for tuning/uprating and most cars have been modified to an extent, but make sure it’s been done well and comprehensively – including better brakes to cope.