Yup right into the boot haha ?? 
I might see about poking that hole still.

It has to go see the doctor anyway as it has a pretty hefty oil leak, so right now I don't really have the heart to work on it anyway, a bit of a damper on the new ownership. 
Oh well it's a classis, those thing happen I guess?

+1 to RedRiley's advice.

There should be a hole/grommet for the fuel hose to pass through.  You should be able to force the 1/4" plastic tubing through there.  You also said the tubing was too short.  It doesn't have to be black plastic.  The local home center will have 1/4" polyethylene tubing.  If they sell it in bulk, buy about 3 feet and trim to length once you force the end through the boot floor.  If they don't sell it in bulk, look for the cheapest refrigerator ice cube maker plumbing kit and use its tubing.

The link below is for 1/4" polyethylene tubing from Lowes, 16 cents per foot.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/EASTMAN-1-4-in-x-1-ft-Polyethylene-Tubing/1000180483

So it's venting into the boot? That's not good. Try poking something through the sealed hole and put a longer hose on it. You'll be proud you figured it out and fixed it yourself.

Well, I found it.

The vent tube is connected but the hole it was supposed to go through has been sealed shut by the previous owner and the existing tube is wayyyyy too short anyway to reach the location of the supposed hole.

It will be visiting a mechanic soon anyway to address some issues I can't/don't want to tackle myself, guess that can go on the list. For now I just leave both rear windows cracked open and the trunk opened when it is sitting still so nothing builds up.

Should be smooth black plastic 1/4 inch tubing if your feeling around for it.

This could be a BIG problem, sorry just venting.

I could not find a picture showing the tube.  However, see the 3rd page of the PDF document linked below.  It shows the vent tube attached to the top of the tank then routed towards the seat back and down to/thru the boot floor.

//mk1-performance-conversions.co.uk/pdf/1959-61mini-pt2.pdf

If you do take the tank out, check the filler neck for rust perforation. In their "wisdom" the car builders added a donut of foam rubber around the neck. It holds moisture against the neck rusting it.

I don't know when the fuel tank changes were made so I cannot help you with that.  As for the vent, it should be on the top of the tank and appears as a little hollow nipple about 5/32" in diameter and 1/2" to 5/8" long.  A (typically black) nylon tube gets pushed onto that nipple.  The other end of the plastic tube exits the floor in the back left corner of the boot.  You can easily remove the tube and try to blow through it to confirm it is open.  A small bit of copper wire can be used to probe the nipple and make sure it is open.

Hi again,


I have a fairly strong fuel smell when I open the trunk, and it kind of lingers in the cabin if it has been sitting still, it fades if I drive it though.

No signs of leakage inside or out, but I was wondering if the fuel tank installed is actually the original?
Some googling lead me to believe it may the vent tube that is blocked, damaged or missing, but now I am wondering if the thank is even original as it looks nothing like the ones I have found online.
I got it a few weeks ago so I am still learning what is on there. Where would I find the vent tube?

Thanks.