17 replies to this topic

[RayC]

I have just acquired a Mini sold as a 1980 (believed an anniversary model) but now badged up to look like a modern Cooper, including 13in wheels, disc brakes, twin carbs. I have no issue with the age or identity really but my suspicion is that the shell is not 1980 so I was wondering if anyone can advise of any way to definitively prove or disprove this. All the usual VIN numbers etc are correct though the engine number is missing. This was a direct import to NZ in 1980.

First suspicions are the colour. It has been resprayed to modern metallic BRG and the underlying shell colour is green (under carpets, behind dash etc). I do not recall dark green Minis in 1980, could be wrong on this though.

The seats and interior trim are certainly not 1980, I enclose a photo detailing the scheme for seats and panels. Can anyone identify it? Was it a special or anniversary edition? This was probably the donor or is it the original?

If the body is correct then it appears as though almost a complete engine, loom, interior transplant has taken place and you have to ask yourself why?

If anyone can suggest a difference between 1980 shells and those from 1990 onwards which I can use to get piece of mind I would appreciate it.

Attached Files

•  Coopered.jpg   472.28K   20 downloads
•  Coopered 2.jpg   50.37K   21 downloads

[sledgehammer]

Any engine bay pic's ?

[jaydee]

Theres no 1980 aniversary edition, but there was the mini special in 79 build for the 20 years anniversary.
Also 13" wheels were introduced in the mid/late 90ies, all i can see of your car is previous owners mods.
Hopefully some anorak can point out shell differencies, iirc the side indicators are in a different position, closer to the front on the 80ies models.
This could also be some sort of a 'ringer'.

Edited by jaydee, 13 January 2013 - 12:36 AM.

[RayC]

Underbonnet photo attached. The heater piping is certainly not original, that dreaded valve on the block has been replaced with ones in the hoses. Washer bottle is also later. These from the donor car or cars.

It could be a 79 build, since it was registered in NZ April 1980 and would have taken a while to get from factory to dealer.

Attached Files

•  Coopered 3.jpg   385.24K   42 downloads

[xrocketengineer]

If they are original to the car, the boot lock and the windscreen wiper motor should have the date of manufacture:

http://www.minimania..._Standard_Minis

Also, if it is a later engine the number is etched directly on to the block. There is no ID plate. On mine, I had to scrub dirt and rust until the number was readable.

Edited by xrocketengineer, 13 January 2013 - 02:50 AM.

[RayC]

Thanks for the link it was very helpful. Nothing on the wiper motor but the boot latch had 47 90 which backs up the 1990 donor belief but doesn't help with the body itself. The block itself is completely blank, not even any holes where an old plate was riveted.

[stretters]

I dunno about anyone else but this is screaming Mainstream Cooper at me!

This is a pic of my late 91 built engine bay

https://c3a58874-a-6...&attredirects=0

Feel free to peruse the rest of my pics on here: https://sites.google...olascoopercarb/

Look too similar to me, the only differences being the heater pipe running along the back of the head and the servo vacuum pipe going under the master cylinder. Also you have the twin carbs and rocker cover changed, but then this could be the 'S' conversion kit!

My washer bottle is removed in this photo but would be the same shape in the same position as yours.

You even have the auxillary fan wiring loom going through the radiator side inner wing!

It probably just has a replacement engine in it, but should still have a plate on.

Edited by stretters, 13 January 2013 - 06:17 AM.

[MiniLuke]

Am I right in thinking that a 90's car will have ID numbers on the scuttle, if it hasn't been replaced, and a 1980's wouldn't of had one?

I am not familiar will later shells, perhaps someone could point out where to look.

[Bungle]

remover the rubber trim and look in the gutter above the brake servo

[Guess-Works.com]

This is really annoying, I know that interior from somewhere but I just cannot place it, but it is a 1990's interior, and the underbonnet image and wiring loom suggests one of the last carbed 998's or 1300's ( obviously I know it has a 1300 engine in there now, but that's an A series 1300 and not original to the car )

Edit

I think it's a mini 35 interior from the Arizona Blue one, but struggling to find a picture to reference it too

Edited by Guess-Works.com, 13 January 2013 - 09:41 AM.

[alicetheauto]

Side repeaters for the indicators on the front wings, and a brake servo, make me think post '84. Anyone modifying a car would not usually bother adding to the loom then cutting the wings for those horrible plastic lights!

[sledgehammer]

servo says late 88 - 89 onwards to me - same with washer bottle

remove washer bottle & see if spot welded or puddle welded if puddle welded it is added

I recon early 90's at a guess

[RayC]

This is really annoying, I know that interior from somewhere but I just cannot place it, but it is a 1990's interior, and the underbonnet image and wiring loom suggests one of the last carbed 998's or 1300's ( obviously I know it has a 1300 engine in there now, but that's an A series 1300 and not original to the car )

Edit

I think it's a mini 35 interior from the Arizona Blue one, but struggling to find a picture to reference it too

Excuse my ignorance but how do you know it is a 1300 and not original to the car?

[RayC]

Spot welded water bottle but still no scuttle number. I found an Arizona Blue picture and similar design but different. I also noticed the starter solenoid relay is a nice plastic item rather than the chunky effort on my 1981 HL. Has the 1985 on starter motor with combined solenoid. So looking like 1985 to 1990?

[Guess-Works.com]

This is really annoying, I know that interior from somewhere but I just cannot place it, but it is a 1990's interior, and the underbonnet image and wiring loom suggests one of the last carbed 998's or 1300's ( obviously I know it has a 1300 engine in there now, but that's an A series 1300 and not original to the car )

Edit

I think it's a mini 35 interior from the Arizona Blue one, but struggling to find a picture to reference it too

Excuse my ignorance but how do you know it is a 1300 and not original to the car?

The orientation of the of the top hose ant thermostat housing indicates a 12 G 940 head, which are 1300 ( or 1275 ), the block is an A series which can be deduced from the alternator bracket. It's unlikely to be a cooper S engine, therefore by pure deduction cannot be original to the car as no non S 1300 A series engine was fitted as standard to a UK roundnose mini.