26 replies to this topic

[scrumpix]

your money and your car (if you get it) do want you want with it. There is room for every type of mini

[Cooperman]

There is a Mini which I might be going to re-build as it's owned by a friend of mine.

It is a 1966 Cooper rally car with a full 1275 'S' specification and in rally trim.

It was bought as a 998 and in the late 60's had a 1275 'S' engine, SC CR gearbox, 7.5" discs and a full rally build.

Now that car has been used in real competition, not little 12 car events, as a Cooper 'S' and it was always entered, listed and scrutineered as an 'S'. To me it's an 'S' in all respects. The V5 says Austin Cooper with engine size as 1275.

I bet the purists hate this sort of car because it's got history like theirs will never have but it goes against their beliefs.

[evonaut]

sorry to jump on the back of a conversation but it is quite relevant....... mainly to cooperman i guess......

 

whilst aged 16, i bought a 1969 cooper s in 1985 and did all the checks, 11 stud head, break servo, 120mph speedo, twin tanks, oil cooler etc etc..... drove it until it wore out in 87 and then gave it to my dad who kept it in his garage since then, as i went off to university. sadly my father passed away a couple of years ago and i re-inherited my old car. he had never changed the log book so i have effectively owned it since 1985.

 

since taking on the project again i have carried out further research about the car including john parnells book (not yet written when i bought the car), dvla check and heritage certificate..... found out to my disappointment, that the car was originally a beige and white 998 cooper and in 1977 it was converted to a red and white cooper s, which is how it is badged and what the engine and running gear is. the log book also states its a 1275 cooper s. the VIN number tallies with the log book as a cooper, however the engine number plate is not on the block and the log book number is from a late 69 mk2 cooper (according to Simon Wheatcroft of the MCR, who i believe). I have had a really good examination of the engine and i know it is a 1275 s engine albeit from a fairly early Mk1 as it does not have Hardy Spicer couplings or UV joints.

 

it has been slowly melting into the garage floor for the last 27 years although the car is essentially complete - apart from the required engine rebuild it did drive into the garage all those years ago.

 

The car will never command top dollar due to its dubious history but will obviously take top dollar to restore. the car will always be a 1969 mk2 cooper (S) in the original shell and glass and running gear etc, so question is what to do? there is sentimental value to me and I'm not planning to sell the car if i have the car restored, as she will sit nicely in the garage of my 1969 town house, owned by me, born in 1969.

 

anyway...... just though i'd share as its always helpful to hear other peoples opinions especially when they have lots of interest and expertise in the subject.....

 

Thanks in advance for any views you may have.......

[Steely]

I think we you should post a few photos :)

[evonaut]

 cooper s engine bay 1.jpg   75.52K   8 downloads  cooper s interior 1.jpg   61.61K   12 downloads  cooper s interior 2.jpg   31.65K   13 downloads  cooper s front.jpg   73.62K   3 downloads  cooper s rear.jpg   63.7K   7 downloads  cooper s front brakes.jpg   61.81K   5 downloads

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

This is like asking 'What am I thinking?'

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

That Mini is amazing

[evonaut]

don't let my dads old springall steering wheel or cox seats confuse you. the car needs a full restoration including every panel except for the roof, and a rebore etc etc. not cheap and it will never be worth top dollar.... in fact, it will cost a fair bit more that the finished car will be worth.... but i'm not selling. so is it worth it?

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Maybe that's why I like it, patina rules over polish anyday. Rust and dust from where a car has sat for years is genuine, brand new panels from Minispares arent!

[mk3 Cooper S]

Maybe that's why I like it, patina rules over polish anyday. Rust and dust from where a car has sat for years is genuine, brand new panels from Minispares arent!

Yes agreed,

Make it solid, polish it run it and enjoy it. People have made Cooper S replicas since they were released.

 

I have a complete mk2 interia if you are going down the original route?

[Black.Ghost]

Do it. But the car anyway. A solid Mk1 for 1500 is a good price. But for what it's worth, I am sure I have seen Coopers (not S) around for the 12k mark?

[evonaut]

well i would be going down the original route....... but the interior it has is good. no cracks in the vinyl and no tears in the head lining. i'll be keeping the springall steering wheel and cox front seats.....