10 replies to this topic

[Jimmini1]

Hi i have just bought a mini cooper s mk1, it says 1961 on the log book for manufacture date but 1978 for 1st reg date still looking into why this is. It has a brand new 1430 engine with stage 3 head with all paper work and its been sat in a barn for 21 years that was the last time it was on the road, the engine has only been started a hand full of times. It could do with a re-spray and a few bits need to be put back on the car but all the parts are there, it has sliding front windows and opening rear windows , twin tanks and many spares i'm pretty sure there is over 20 wheels. Its been poly bushed on the front has a servo fitted new alternator etc. I will try to get some pics up later if i got this car back together and painted and mot'd any ideas what it would be worth?????? Cheers

[Guess-Works.com]

Hi i have just bought a mini cooper s mk1, it says 1961 on the log book for manufacture date but 1978 for 1st reg date still looking into why this is. It has a brand new 1430 engine with stage 3 head with all paper work and its been sat in a barn for 21 years that was the last time it was on the road, the engine has only been started a hand full of times. It could do with a re-spray and a few bits need to be put back on the car but all the parts are there, it has sliding front windows and opening rear windows , twin tanks and many spares i'm pretty sure there is over 20 wheels. Its been poly bushed on the front has a servo fitted new alternator etc. I will try to get some pics up later if i got this car back together and painted and mot'd any ideas what it would be worth?????? Cheers

All depends on its authenticity, your best option contact heritage

However, with a 1430 engine, it's not going to be the original, and very unlikely to be a cooper S block, which will severely damage any potential value.

[Minimainiac]

If its a 61 it not going to be a Cooper S. Cooper 997's were the only mini coopers available in 1961.

[Jimmini1]

If its a 61 it not going to be a Cooper S. Cooper 997's were the only mini coopers available in 1961.

Thanks for your reply, any ideas why it would say mk1 cooper s 1961 on the log book, do you think it could a 1978 cooper in a 1961 mk1 cooper shell??????

[Minimainiac]

When the dvla became computerised owners were asked to reregister there cars by a certain date, many owners never bothered and when they eventually changed hand the log book would say manufacture date declared as ---- and date of reg ----. This gave the opportunity for many people to say the car was something it wasn't.

It may be a 61 Cooper, it will not have 78 Cooper S parts fitted because Cooper S's were last built in 1970. My 62 Cooper was reregistered / put on the dvla database in the early 80's. I asked the same questions when I first saw the log book. I got a heritage cert and have checked my car against all its history and Parnells Cooper Bible to make sure it was spot on original before I purchased it.

Pm me your chassis number and reg and I will see what I can find out for you.

[Jimmini1]

When the dvla became computerised owners were asked to reregister there cars by a certain date, many owners never bothered and when they eventually changed hand the log book would say manufacture date declared as ---- and date of reg ----. This gave the opportunity for many people to say the car was something it wasn't.

It may be a 61 Cooper, it will not have 78 Cooper S parts fitted because Cooper S's were last built in 1970. My 62 Cooper was reregistered / put on the dvla database in the early 80's. I asked the same questions when I first saw the log book. I got a heritage cert and have checked my car against all its history and Parnells Cooper Bible to make sure it was spot on original before I purchased it.

Pm me your chassis number and reg and I will see what I can find out for you.

That would explain a few things then cheers, the reg is and the chassis is , many thanks.

[Shifty]

I've removed the chassis and reg rumber from your post. Its not the best idea to stick them up on a public forum.

If I were you I'd send them via PM

[Jimmini1]

I've removed the chassis and reg rumber from your post. Its not the best idea to stick them up on a public forum.

If I were you I'd send them via PM

Yeh wernt really very clever was, cheers pal

[Minimainiac]

The Chassis number you sent me is not Cooper. An Austin Cooper mk1 starts C-A2S7 and Morris Cooper mk1 start K-A2S7

[Minimainiac]

It was last taxed and mot'ed in 1996, the tax ran out on 31-7-97. Yours started life as an Austin Mini mk1 850 Super Deluxe, why someone registered it as a Morris I have no idea. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, I hope you didn't pay much for it.

Here you go-

The general format for these early cars is:
A-A2S7L-###A
First position (“A” in the above example):
A = Austin (other than Cooper and S)
C = Austin Cooper or Austin Cooper S
K = Morris Cooper or Cooper S
M =Morris
R = Riley
W = Wolseley
Second position (also “A” in the above example):
= A series engine. Any standard Mini engine for the period:
848cc
970cc Cooper S
997cc Cooper
998cc Cooper and non-Cooper
1071cc Cooper S
1275cc Cooper S
Third position(s) (“2S” in the above example):
= Body type:
2S = 2-door saloon/sedan. Caution: bureaucratic bungles often interpret this as 25 (twenty-five)
B = Moke (“Buckboard”!)
U = Pick-up. Caution: U and V can be mistaken one for the other.
V = Panel van. Caution: U and V can be mistaken one for the other.
W = Estate (with or without wood). Officially, “Dual-purpose”
Fourth position (“7” in the above example):
= Series of Austin, or Morris, etc.:
1 = Mk I Riley Elf, Wolseley Hornet, and Austin/Morris Moke
2 = Mk II Riley Elf or Wolseley Hornet
3 = Mk III Riley Elf or Wolseley Hornet
4 = Mk I Morris
6 = Mk II Morris
7 = Mk I Austin
B = Mk II Austin
Fifth position (“L” in the above example):
D = De-Luxe.
L = Left hand drive. Right hand drive was not designated
S = Super De-Luxe

Edited by Minimainiac, 20 March 2011 - 04:50 PM.

[Jimmini1]

It was last taxed and mot'ed in 1996, the tax ran out on 31-7-97. Yours started life as an Austin Mini 850 Super Deluxe, why someone registered it as a Morris I have no idea. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, I hope you didn't pay much for it.

Here you go-

The general format for these early cars is:
A-A2S7L-###A
First position (“A” in the above example):
A = Austin (other than Cooper and S)
C = Austin Cooper or Austin Cooper S
K = Morris Cooper or Cooper S
M =Morris
R = Riley
W = Wolseley
Second position (also “A” in the above example):
= A series engine. Any standard Mini engine for the period:
848cc
970cc Cooper S
997cc Cooper
998cc Cooper and non-Cooper
1071cc Cooper S
1275cc Cooper S
Third position(s) (“2S” in the above example):
= Body type:
2S = 2-door saloon/sedan. Caution: bureaucratic bungles often interpret this as 25 (twenty-five)
B = Moke (“Buckboard”!)
U = Pick-up. Caution: U and V can be mistaken one for the other.
V = Panel van. Caution: U and V can be mistaken one for the other.
W = Estate (with or without wood). Officially, “Dual-purpose”
Fourth position (“7” in the above example):
= Series of Austin, or Morris, etc.:
1 = Mk I Riley Elf, Wolseley Hornet, and Austin/Morris Moke
2 = Mk II Riley Elf or Wolseley Hornet
3 = Mk III Riley Elf or Wolseley Hornet
4 = Mk I Morris
6 = Mk II Morris
7 = Mk I Austin
B = Mk II Austin
Fifth position (“L” in the above example):
D = De-Luxe.
L = Left hand drive. Right hand drive was not designated
S = Super De-Luxe