8 replies to this topic

[cooperd70]

I have a 1990 998 Flame Red which had the John Cooper Conversion fitted by Rover Swindon before it went into their showroom for sale.

I have been in touch with the original owners and they have very kindly sent me the photos they took of the car the day they collected it from the showroom.

I would like to return the car back to how it was when first purchased. So I am currently in the process of trying to find original parts that I will need.

One part that I am finding very difficult to get hold of is a Cooper badge that was fixed to the boot lid. It is featured in the green Cooper Garages sales pamphlet from 1989/90 for the 998 conversion and is described as 'oblong aluminium and plastic badge'. It came in two sizes, a smaller one for the grille (which was never fitted to my car) and a larger one (the one I'm looking for).

I've attached a scan from the original photos (hope it displays correctly). The colouring will be off slightly as we are talking 80/90's 35mm compact film camera photograph here; the reason why it's also somewhat on the blurry side. I've approximated that the size is around 73mm x 26mm with a radius of 4mm on corners.

These were sticky-backed badges and I think the original was lost and never put back on the car when the boot lid was resprayed after a small contretemps with a hire car when it was with its first custodian.

If anyone has one of these that they don't need or knows someone, who knows someone who has one, then I'd be really grateful.

Other than that I will have to hunt down someone that can make one off sticky-backed aluminium and plastic badges...and that sounds like there won't be too many manufacturers out there that can.

Thanks for reading.




DC.

Edited by cooperd70, 10 October 2019 - 08:16 PM.

[beardylondon]

Might be worth trying mini sport, as they sell Cooper Car Co stuff?

[cooperd70]

Might be worth trying mini sport, as they sell Cooper Car Co stuff?

Cheers Beardy!

I did think that, but I do know that a lot of stuff from the original garage was destroyed when the company was wound down. Think that MS just purchased the name to be able to start selling brand new conversion kits.

Was hoping an original conversion owner out there may have a spare.

Not sure how long they made these oblong badges for. I've seen the very first 998 conversion from 1989 which had one and the kit sold in 1990 for the Racing Green, Flame Red and Checkmate 998's also had the badge as a purchase item in the catalogue as I have that catalogue. However I'm not sure if they sold them later in the 90's to the 1275 conversion owners.

Other than that someone like isaydingdong.co.uk may be able to help, though I don't have actual measurements or clear drawings for the graphics....just this very fuzzing photo from Nov 1990 of the original with approx. measurements.

Most probably as rare as hens teeth I suspect.

DC.

[beardylondon]

It does look like like a slightly bigger version of the Cooper mainstream, steering wheel badge.

 

Measure the "MINI" badge and you won't be far off!

[Itsaminithing]

1992 Cooper Catalogue has a JC boot badge listed as part number MC33 (but no picture) -Is it the same number in your catalogue?

Spent hours Googling but couldn't find a single picture or any info on these badges.

[cooperd70]

It does look like like a slightly bigger version of the Cooper mainstream, steering wheel badge.

Measure the "MINI" badge and you won't be far off!

Of course...forgot about the mainstream Rover Cooper wheel...I agree it does look like a larger version of that. I could get a steering wheel and then get a badge made up based on the smaller version ?

[cooperd70]

1992 Cooper Catalogue has a JC boot badge listed as part number MC33 (but no picture) -Is it the same number in your catalogue?
Spent hours Googling but couldn't find a single picture or any info on these badges.

Thanks itsaminithing for looking it up...and taking the time ?
To be factually correct mines not actually a catalogue, but a sales pamphlet called 'John Cooper Conversions - The spirit of the 60's in a car for the 90's'. Which was sales bumpfh advertising the 998 conversion kit. On the back page there is a photo of all the Cooper Accessories for the conversion (like the white 5J x 12 alloys that I wish I had a set of, Cooper Moto-Lita steering wheel etc) and a smaller photo of things like gear knob, key ring, duster!?! along with the badge (both large and small versions). In the description it just says 'Cooper oblong badge, large and small'. So unfortunately no part number!

Think beardy is correct. The Cooper badge on the mainstream Rover Cooper steering wheel may in fact be the small version of the badge. If I can get my hands on one of those I may be able to get a larger copy made up! ?

[Itsaminithing]

 

It does look like like a slightly bigger version of the Cooper mainstream, steering wheel badge.

Measure the "MINI" badge and you won't be far off!

Of course...forgot about the mainstream Rover Cooper wheel...I agree it does look like a larger version of that. I could get a steering wheel and then get a badge made up based on the smaller version

 

It's close, so very, very close.... but no Cigar

Steering wheel badge is QTG10021, the font is narrower & the spacing inside the red coachline is different.

https://www.ebay.co....CUAAOSwuJJdhTBH

 

Have you contacted the Mini Cooper Register they might be able to help.

https://www.minicoop...ooper-register/

 

 

EDIT: In this politically correct world we're now forced to live in i suppose i should have put    'It's close, so very, very close.... but no coconut :('

mind you they are incredibly hard to light up.... & have you ever tried to get one in your mouth!

Edited by Itsaminithing, 23 October 2019 - 09:19 PM.

[minidizzy]

Those badges were originally placed on the Cooper prototypes. They were then included in the conversion kits. A large one for the boot lid and a small one for the steering wheel. Another small one was already attached to the rocker cover supplied with the kit. Pictures of some earlier conversions show the larger badge also attached to the grill.

The facebook page - classic mini john Cooper conversions - is the group for the 998 conversion enthusiasts. They often display their cars at Beaulieu.

Incidentally no original parts were destroyed when Coopers closed down and The Cooper Car Company brand remains in the ownership of the Cooper family. (BMW owns the John Cooper Works brand). MiniSport are their main distributors as well as manufacturers for the Cooper Car Company. They have been making the the Cooper cylinder heads since 1991 for the injection models.