+1 to Dan's suggestions, better to move forward. At least the State of Michigan is usually reasonable to work with. I would deal with the rust last and try to have some fun with the car.

Welcome!

Sorry to hear about your trials and tribulations.

So far, it sounds like none of the issues you describe are insurmountable. If there's a bright side, it might be you'll get hours of enjoyment tinkering to get things right. And you've come to the right place for help. For each issue you have, start a separate thread, like "Missfire on cylinder 3" and we'll see waht we can do to help solve it.

Greetings everyone.... It's sad that my first post on this forum about my first ever Mini has to be about this scam artist.

For the sake of information I wanted to share my experience with David Ellison / Mountanminis on eBay. I won his auction May 3rd and immediately sent payment via PayPal, Car never got shipped until the end of June... Every week was a new excuse why it didn't ship (Inspection, shift is loose, finish and touches, etc) The paperwork he sent me to register it was a V5C from a previous owner which David had already filled out as the buyer so in the eyes of Michigan he didn't have proper ownership to sell to me. That was workaround #1 to deal with. When the car arrived it was nothing what Mr. Ellison described it to be as "100% running and ready for use". Battery was dead, when I finally got it started in the port it was only running on 3 cylinders. Muffler fell off loading it onto my trailer. Has rust along the boot that was just painted over. rust bubbles along the headlights. Speedometer quits working past 30mph (not that it currently goes much faster than that anyways due to missing on cylinder number 3) and the "upgraded sound system" literally falling out of the dash and the amp in the trunk fell and all the wiring broke off inside the amp) 

After the car shipped he quit responding to any emails I sent him.

I didn't see this forum until a month passed and the car still wasn't shipped.... but at least I got a car that passed customs... I think we should all team up to try to remove him from eBay. 

ttt for david ellison 

beane1 .. it is all about folks thinking they can buy something less in the UK for a classic mini..  Ellison offers cars for less than market value even in the UK..   all about GREED...

I have wondered how he keeps getting away with his scams 

Got to wonder how David Ellison in NOT in jail/prison.. ??

kimb  my guess is the magic number of $950 is that he could NOT be charged with a FELONY.. is it is under $1k..  you should bug him until you get it.  I just sold engine to nice lady in York PA.. that has bought 998 for her son..   the engine and tranny was totally KNACKERED. when it came off the boat.

No but I haven't chased after the initial flurries. Just chalked it up to 'tuition' in the school of life and have just been happy that the car is a nice driver whatever its mongrel heritage.   Life is too short.  Seasons best to all.

Kim

kimB  any luck getting your $950 back from David Ellison?? I see he is flogging couple more minis on ebay.com today..  at $4k. each

Well David Ellison has $950 or so of my money too if it is any consolation.  I got the car - no importation issues- not all original but in stock form and all Mk1. ('63 VIN/heritage certificate and '67 bits) David was slow to ship. He then was supposed to arrange delivery to my door. He asked that I front the last part as a wire to the customs broker would take longer than a paypal reimbursement to me direct.  Still waiting.  Car came with no V5C or other official UK paperwork- just a bill of sale.  FL DMV wasn't happy. After various dances and expense, I was able to get a bonded title and plates. Car is fine though some surprising bodges in the restoration.  Runs great though I wished it leaked less English rustproofing. love the car hate the dealer.  

I wish I would have found this thread back in March. I tried buying a Mini from David back then. Emailed back and forth several times and felt comfortable so I agreed on buying one he had listed on eBay. I paid the deposit through Paypal and the rest via wire transfer. While waiting for a shipping update, I found this thread and began to worry. I was actually able to locate the Casey gentleman listed on here as he lives the next town over from me in Florida. I spoke with him and felt a little at ease since he was able to get a car successfully from David. The day before the Mini was scheduled to ship David informed me he was worried the car wouldn't clear customs because of an engine swap. He offered me the choice of a refund or different car. On May 5th I told him I no longer felt comfortable with the transaction and wanted a refund. I paid a total of $6950 to David and now 6 months later I have received the majority of my money back in payments here and there but am still waiting on the final $950. I was able to purchase a Mini since then though. I was a little smarter this time around and found one in state that I could put my hands on before buying. 

TRP. what are trying to say?/ that the miserable mormon scared you off asking questions?? later bc

Here is another picture of my Mini.  She does clean up nice!

dan  TTF64. my guess the photos of casey.s mini were BOGUS all along..?? bc

His photos give an error message "URL signature expired" which suggests to me they were posted to a temporary location on another server site or have been moved or removed. Only Casey can re-post them.

Could someone please put in a link to Casey’s pictures. Thanks

beane1/ron.. did you ever get your dream mini ok?? later bc

you are very welcome.. my pet peeve is con men that are  also thieves ( missing deposits and sold off consignements cars. and NOT paying the owners....  in the used mini business..  later bc