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Catastrophic

....
 and off since I passed my test (*cough* 23yrs ago this November) and  .....

still a novice then 

I passed my car test 2nd Aug 1979 & my bike test Nov 1980 

Passed bike test in 1962, 3  attempts  . Car was in 1966, first time thanks to my late Dad. Drove a Reliant on my bike licence and the gearbox was similar
to his HA Viva so just a few drive arounds needed.

They're definitely not suitable for most people - you have to be able to fix cars yourself. Parts are plentiful and cheap, working on them is pretty decent. If someone else is fixing it the labour will add up and in no time be more than the value of the vehicle. They're a bit like a little tiny Omega!

You're the only person I've come across who thinks working on them is pretty decent   The usual reaction to suggesting any job on a Mini is either a firm no, or enhanced with workshop Anglo-Saxon.

Failure

Ok....so I can deffo do a nut / bolt solution for the pawl's that fly out.....once I can work out how to rewind the spring 

Ill doubtless be inherreting another unsuitable one one day too...just like this, my dad's pride and joy
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256501013268?_ul=UK&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338353466&toolid=20006%26customid%3Ds%253AGS%253Bgc%253ACjwKCAjw9IayBhBJEiwAVuc3fvdRxFdJr2Jdz5mCa504B5sLii-otyB3A47s3JjCcOXZ2r3BOoh3iBoCiMgQAvD_BwE%253Bpt%253A1%253Bchoc%253A2&customid=s%3AGS%3Bgc%3ACjwKCAjw9IayBhBJEiwAVuc3fvdRxFdJr2Jdz5mCa504B5sLii-otyB3A47s3JjCcOXZ2r3BOoh3iBoCiMgQAvD_BwE%3Bpt%3A1%3Bchoc%3A1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw9IayBhBJEiwAVuc3fvdRxFdJr2Jdz5mCa504B5sLii-otyB3A47s3JjCcOXZ2r3BOoh3iBoCiMgQAvD_BwE

…………..
May continue to play with the old one in the background, but need something that works and is appropriate for what I have.

Yep, keep it for when you want to tinker with something.    I’ve recently repaired my neighbours rotary recoil starter as the pawls cover plate had sheared off. The nut for the bolt is moulded in to the underside of the top cover so I drilled a hole in the top cover, drilled and tapped a bush for the underside to replace the sheared moulded in nut, put a washer on the other side and tightened it all up. It’s as good as new now and stronger than the original design. 
There’s a mower scrapyard seller on eBay, he has a yard full of old mowers and will strip parts off them as required. He’s based in Aylesbury Buckinghamshire and he’s really helpful and easy to speak to. I’ll try to find a link to his site. 

Quite like the idea of that...may be able to do something like that yet.  This cylinder is far from ideal for me.....So ill go to a rotary anyway....but be nice to get it right if time and inclination allows.  Its certainly not worth me spending more than a few quid one...its too wrong for me to invest in.

Found a couple of Stihl, and a couple of Al-Ko that fit the bill, very similar machines but Al-Ko's about £100 dearer.
Not paying 100+ plus a load of mileage for an Admiral....but if I see one come up very cheap and local, I may well grab anyway, but havent the time to wait right now.

Should add, quite fun to drive.  Although the seats are incompatible with my poor back.

That was a concern, but it's actually pretty reasonable in that respect. Obviously nowhere near as comfortable/adjustable as what we're used to, but it's a very different car.

The gearbox is the first proper issue it's had.

The rear windows don't work, and weren't when I bought it,  investigated for mechanical functionality... Recoding required.

The rest of my time on it falls into the tinkering category rather than actual repair work

…………..
May continue to play with the old one in the background, but need something that works and is appropriate for what I have.

Yep, keep it for when you want to tinker with something.    I’ve recently repaired my neighbours rotary recoil starter as the pawls cover plate had sheared off. The nut for the bolt is moulded in to the underside of the top cover so I drilled a hole in the top cover, drilled and tapped a bush for the underside to replace the sheared moulded in nut, put a washer on the other side and tightened it all up. It’s as good as new now and stronger than the original design. 
There’s a mower scrapyard seller on eBay, he has a yard full of old mowers and will strip parts off them as required. He’s based in Aylesbury Buckinghamshire and he’s really helpful and easy to speak to. I’ll try to find a link to his site.