It was a great car to learn both the fundamentals of roadcraft (having passed the driving test aged 17 in a yukky Nissan Sunny) and car maintenance on.
In fact, I've replaced most major parts on it over the years - swapped the original 1098cc for a MG Midget 1275cc, which promptly destroyed two standard Minor gearboxes so I replaced those with a matching Midget close-ratio one, also replaced the differential which got a bit whiney, uprated the front drum brakes to Ford ventilated discs, fitted electronic ignition and fuel pump, extra gauges, alternator in place of dynamo, etc.
They're quite fun because you can treat them as a never-ending 'rolling restoration' project - there's always something that needs doing, or improving...
Main plus points are relatively cheap, readily available parts (many can be adapted to fit from other BMC/BL cars such as Mini, Midget, Austin 1100/1300, Marina, Allegro, etc.), practical and fairly reliable, cheap classic insurance and free road tax.
What is more, if maintained properly, they hold their value or go up steadily, so you can be driving an appreciating asset as opposed to a modern, depreciating one!
