You need to be in contact with my grandson, 'Cooperkid'. He is 16 next week and is doing a very comprehensive restoration on his 1997 1275 MPI for when he is 17. It will be standard except for Group 2 arches and a Mk 1 grill, so we reckon it will be easily insurable, especially as he will do his 'pass plus' the day after he passes his test.
The rolling shell with a complete new front end is going to the paintshop next weekend and the total re-build of the engine will then happen before it comes back. Then it's rebuild of all suspensio0n and brakes, refit of interior and it'll be done by early Autumn 2011.
that sounds very very cool, I can't really think of much else to say really, when did he get it ?