White Roofs

Yes, come to think a bit more about it, I was thinking of green coopers with a white roof, but our S was red with a black roof.

A friend of mine had a 1961 850 which was Clipper Blue and it had actually been prepared by the 'works' for international rallying. It was originally owned by a chap named David Hiam who was Dunlop's Competition Manager.The roof had been sprayed white and it looked very good.

David did a lot of international rallies in it including the famous Liege-Sofia-Liege. It was bought by one Peter Gilbert and I did several rallies with him and he lent it to Bill Rogers and me when Bill's car was a bit sick just before a rally we needed to do.

In fact it was one of the best known 850's and was registered 16BOJ. There are a lot of photos of it in rally books. I have a photo of me driving it on an autocross early in 1964.

If you Google 'Images for Mini 16BOJ' there a whole lot.

 

Music to my ears Cooperman. Clipper blue and white roof is what I'm going for on my rebuild. 

That will look great.
I had always fancied a Mini in Jaguar ruby metallic with a sand gold roof and black 10" Minilite wheels. Never got around to doing one that colour though.

 

Edited to add my Cooper 'S' on the recent Bath Rally Lombard 2018 going up Porlock Toll Road:

 

Edited by Cooperman, 11 November 2018 - 05:20 PM.

By the way, I had the lamp covers for the two centre fog-lights made locally. If anyone would like a pair let me know by PM and I'll put you in touch. They are made from black leathercloth and foam padded. Those fit the old Lucas 576 5" spot/fog lights.

Cracking thread

 

I think the works cars copied the early Farrari's and Alfa's by painting red, not sure on the white roof though

 

The works team noticed on the continent that 'locals' would open gates for red rally cars

The Austin Healey 3000s and works Sprite were Red with a White roof before the mini Cooper was invented.

They certainly were. I had the pleasure of driving a Healey 3000. Awesome car and quite demanding to get the best out of. How they did so well is amazing.

Awesome stories Cooperman! Your Cooper "S" looks great!

Went to the 50th marathon at Gaydon recently with Mike Wood ex BMC navigator

 

He was on the maps in a lot of the early rallies for BMC in Healeys, Landcrabs and Minis obviously.

 

I was once behind an AH 3000 at the start-line in Curbourough, a lovely growl as it snaked away on the cold concrete

Mike Wood is a really nice guy and s good friend.
I never got to drive a works Healey 3000 but I did some National rallies in a well-sorted one in 1962 - 63.
I bought one in pieces in the USA in 1993 but then I caught and passed one on a rally in Wales in my S so I decided not to build the Healey. Sold it as a project for a nice little profit!
The Mini was always so agile and quicker - especially red ones with white roofs!

The Mini was always so agile and quicker - especially red ones with white roofs!

I think the white roof gives better aerodynamics. Less energy being absorbed from the sun that heats the car causing bad air circulation and basically raising the cars height as there is a whirlwind a few mm above the roof. White roof for +5% top speed. Don't argue. Science.

Edited by luismx123, 13 November 2018 - 02:46 PM.

 

The Mini was always so agile and quicker - especially red ones with white roofs!

I think the white roof gives better aerodynamics. Less energy being absorbed from the sun that heats the car causing bad air circulation and basically raising the cars height as there is a whirlwind a few mm above the roof. White roof for +5% top speed. Don't argue. Science.

 

 

Can't argue with science. Especially when percentages and dimensions are quoted. If I have two white roofs on one car, does that mean +10% top speed? 

 

 

The Mini was always so agile and quicker - especially red ones with white roofs!

I think the white roof gives better aerodynamics. Less energy being absorbed from the sun that heats the car causing bad air circulation and basically raising the cars height as there is a whirlwind a few mm above the roof. White roof for +5% top speed. Don't argue. Science.

 

 

Can't argue with science. Especially when percentages and dimensions are quoted. If I have two white roofs on one car, does that mean +10% top speed? 

 

I can send you a graph where those numbers are proven!
Well it depends. You cant have 2 roofs, so thats a no. HOWEVER, a white roof lining will aid in extra 2.73% top end speed as there is less hot air trapped between lining and roof panel. No, hot air is heavier than cold air... Why do you think its hotter down here and colder on mt.everest?

 

 

 

The Mini was always so agile and quicker - especially red ones with white roofs!

I think the white roof gives better aerodynamics. Less energy being absorbed from the sun that heats the car causing bad air circulation and basically raising the cars height as there is a whirlwind a few mm above the roof. White roof for +5% top speed. Don't argue. Science.

 

 

Can't argue with science. Especially when percentages and dimensions are quoted. If I have two white roofs on one car, does that mean +10% top speed? 

 

I can send you a graph where those numbers are proven!
Well it depends. You cant have 2 roofs, so thats a no. HOWEVER, a white roof lining will aid in extra 2.73% top end speed as there is less hot air trapped between lining and roof panel. No, hot air is heavier than cold air... Why do you think its hotter down here and colder on mt.everest?

 

 

Er, you think!

 

I think you'll find altitude and air density plays a small part.