14 replies to this topic

[hayman9644]

Can someone direct me to information about the differences between each model of the "MINI" Austin morris,Coopers, minors etc. We dont have many over here and I am looking at purchasing one soon. But I need to be more educated first. Thanks

[A_SERIES_SUPPLIES]

hi
i dont know about on line but the
john parnell BOOK on the
ORIGINAL MINI COOPER
will teach you everything you need to know about the difference in the shells .
or i can help with any questions


merry xmas & a happy new year to one and all from vps motorsport components ltd

[hayman9644]

Thanks for the offer. The Exterior trim and body shape of a 1962-1963 Austin Mini is it the same as a Cooper? They are basically the same right? Is it just the Cooper name that drives the price up? I know that the later models are heavier but Im not worried about that part. Thanks for the help

[pdaykin]

The basic shape/bodyshell is the same.

There are little differences such as holes in different places, etc.

The most obvious bodywork features are:

1.Coopers had a neat hole near the floor cross member for the gear change
2. Coopers had a blanking plate screwed over the gearlever whole in the bulkhead as it didnt need it (standard cars had te magic wand gear change remember)
3. Three extra brackets on the boot floor (riveted on early cars) and two at the back of the rear seat upright for the boot board. Although Supers had these too.
4. Clips around the outside of the door frame to hold the chrome trim in place around the windows.

I'm sure I'll think of more

[Guess-Works.com]

I think in the US, if your looking at anything which is pre 70, you should first be making sure that's what it is as opposed to "is is a cooper or a morris or an Austin!"

1. If it has Big wheels and Injection, it's not a 60's cooper...
2. If it has wind-up-windows, it's not a MK1/2
3. If the door hinges are hidden it's not a MK1/2

Now for the closer stuff...

4. Mk1's of all variety have smaller rear windows, and small rear quarter lights.
5. The coopers will have an extra bar ( going diaganolly ) behing the grill for mounting the oil cooler.
6. The coopers will have 7" disks on them, and the MK2 cooper S will have 7.5" disks.

But to be honest I would worry anout 1,2 and 3 first... as there are a lot of 'ringed' late model minis over in the US.

[hayman9644]

Thanks for the help. I am looking at doing a motorcycle engine or Honda vtec/vaxhaul conversion so I guess my next question is Does it really matter if I use a cooper or a austin? I doubt that resale will be that much different as long as I do a really clean job am I correct? Besides I may not sell it for a long time anyway.

[Guess-Works.com]

I assume a rear engined bike and a FWD vtec / GM power.. both of which are completely different kettles of fish..

First, IMO, don't cut up an early mini to do this with...

Secondly, for a Vtec / GM conversion, your better looking at a Clubman (square nosed) mini as there's more room in the engine bay, I believe round noses need to be extended at the front.

and finally...

I s'pose you have to go for what you can get over in the US.

[hayman9644]

It sounds like a austin morris will work just fine then for what I want to do. As long as they both look the same. Now I guess its time to decide on the Honda car engine and trans or the Hyabusa or the R1. Im leaning heavily toward the Hyabusa. What do you guys think? I will be doing my own frame since a friend of mine builds legend race cars. He said he can do all the tube bending and all I have to do is the welding.

[The Roadie]

Shell wise, didn't Cooper/Cooper S have a brace bar behind the gril lto stop the fornt panel flexing?
Cooper S have a much better engine, better head, pistons, nitrided crank etc.

Trim levels are better on Morris badged cars.

Don't cut up a Mk1 Mini for an engine conversion. Its all about A-series.
If you do cut up a good early Mini I will come to the USA and kill you.

I thought import laws in the USA meant that you could import Minis up to 1974.
Can you not just buy a shell and say its a custom if you put bike engine in? The hot rod scene over there can get anything registered and road legal!

[hayman9644]

Don't cut up a Mk1 Mini for an engine conversion. Its all about A-series.
If you do cut up a good early Mini I will come to the USA and kill you.

OK one of you says dont cut up a MK1 and the other says dont cut up a Cooper. Isnt that what some of you are doing? Guess Im missing something. I dont like cutting up a perfectly good car to make a Hot Rod out of it but people do it all the time. Help me out here.

[hayman9644]

I forgot to say IM only looking at purchasing a shell not a Running car. And the 1974 cap only applies to California fortunately I dont live there. Thanks for the Help Guys.

[The Roadie]

Mk1s are rare now and highly sought after.
Imports to 1974 in California only - that really solves the mystery of how Turbo Dave imported his 1982 Mini to Montana wihtout doing anything illegal.
Couldn't you just get any old Mini then, not a Mk1.

[hayman9644]

So far all the shells im finding over here are the MK1s Im having trouble finding shells only. Its not worth it to me to buy a running one and then try to sell the parts. Theres not enough demand for parts over here. Plus I hate to part out a running car anyway.

[DaveCoxon]

that really solves the mystery of how Turbo Dave imported his 1982 Mini to Montana wihtout doing anything illegal.

uh?

My mini has been a 1971 all the time I've owned it (nearly 10 years now). It landed in the USA in January 2005 - and it was Michigan, not Montana ?

[DaveCoxon]

So far all the shells im finding over here are the MK1s  Im having trouble finding shells only.  Its not worth it to me to buy a running one  and then try to sell the parts.  Theres not enough demand for parts over here.  Plus I hate to part out a running car anyway.

So long as your 'shell' comes with a title - and has Doors, you won't have a problem; just crack on and do it. Doors are incredibly difficult to find - especially in good condition - basically if you do'nt have them, bank on $400 per door MINIMUM for good ones!


End of the day though, it's your car and you can do what you like with it.
A Vtec conversion doesn't need any bulkhead mods as i recall - so if you REALLY wanted; you COULD convert it back to stock. I certainly wouldn't fancy 'un converting' my mini with its turbo bulkhead box.
Just verify that the 'potential suppliers' of the subframe are actually able to sell you a frame that'll work with the Mk1 bulkhead (different supports to the more common Mk3 on shell).