17 replies to this topic

[850NUTS]

Hi All from Australia,

 

We have just heard of, but not seen, a 850 engine, painted Red, with 850 Cooper cast into the engine block.  What would the history of it be???, And what engine number may it have. We have not heard of one like this before. Any help regarding this would be great.

 

[matt050990]

I have never heard of an 850 Cooper but im not the biggest of all Mini boffins.

Would be an interesting lump to see though, if you can get hold of any pics that would be great....

[HarrysMini]

I'm fairly sure there was never an 850 Cooper, could be wrong though. 

 

Would be interesting to hear more information.

[petehuws]

There was never a released 850cc Cooper.  The lowest cc Cooper was the 997 which actually used the 850 block and was given a longer stroke to increase capacity to 997 cubic centimetres (60.8 cu in) increasing power from 34 to 55 bhp.  This was the engine until 1964 when the short stroke 998 was introduced into the Cooper, followed by of course 1071 (EJB 33 winner) then the 1275.

[matt050990]

There was never a released 850cc Cooper.  The lowest cc Cooper was the 997 which actually used the 850 block and was given a longer stroke to increase capacity to 997 cubic centimetres (60.8 cu in) increasing power from 34 to 55 bhp.  This was the engine until 1964 when the short stroke 998 was introduced into the Cooper, followed by of course 1071 (EJB 33 winner) then the 1275.

Who needs Wikipedia when you have TMF!

[mk1coopers]

Close, the 1071 came out in 63, 1275 was 64

[alicetheauto]

It will almost certainly not have Cooper cast into the block. The original casting (and indeed engine) for the coopers came from the same production line, and will have had MOWOG or similar cast into the side, as well as a casting number. The engine number is (or should be) on a small plate rivetted to the top surface of the block and is the only way to identify the engine as any kind of Cooper tweaked motor.

[Tyred-and-emotional]

There was never a released 850cc Cooper.  The lowest cc Cooper was the 997 which actually used the 850 block and was given a longer stroke to increase capacity to 997 cubic centimetres (60.8 cu in) increasing power from 34 to 55 bhp.  This was the engine until 1964 when the short stroke 998 was introduced into the Cooper, followed by of course 1071 (EJB 33 winner) then the 1275.

Lowest was a 997? What about the 970 S ? 

[Cooperman]

There is no such thing as a production 850 'S' engine.

However, for racing I do believe that you could build an 850 based on a 970 'S' engine with a very special short throw crank made from a steel billet (that wouldn't be cheap!) which would rev to over 10,000 rpm.

I can't remember the details though, only that it has been done.

But the work Cooper would not be cast into the block.

[flamenco]

taken from minipassionmini facebook page:
 

 

Austin 850 Cooper 997 1961
BMC UK - Export markets

"This is an oddity, BMC didn't use the Mini-Minor or Seven names for the cars that were exported outside UK, they called them just 850 for 1959 to 1961 in most markets.

When the first Coopers were imported they were called 850 despite having a 997cc engine. 

It was only until 1962 that the Mini name was adopted globally with a few exceptions."

 

Edited by flamenco, 16 May 2014 - 07:24 PM.

[surfblue]

 

taken from minipassionmini facebook page:
 

 

Austin 850 Cooper 997 1961
BMC UK - Export markets

"This is an oddity, BMC didn't use the Mini-Minor or Seven names for the cars that were exported outside UK, they called them just 850 for 1959 to 1961 in most markets.

When the first Coopers were imported they were called 850 despite having a 997cc engine. 

It was only until 1962 that the Mini name was adopted globally with a few exceptions."

 

 

Just when you think youve heard or read all about everything mini, something new comes along. Every day truly is a school day!

[pdaykin]

Interesting. I always thought it was only the Austin variety that wasn't marketed as "mini"

Very anal I know, but the brochure shows what looks like an Austin Cooper bonnet badge as per a UK car and a right hand tank which I didn't think was available until '63/'64.

Always learning

[timmy850]

I found this out yesterday while researching US market Coopers. Here is the full brochure from http://mk1-performan...nversions.co.uk
http://mk1-performan...tin_coop_us.pdf

997 Cooper engine
7" disc brakes
6.5 Gallon tank

It's possible for the drawing of the red one they simply flipped it over to give the look of a left hand drive car, but flipped the tank location too?

[850NUTS]

Thank you all for your reply's. We have asked for the engine number, which we should get that tonight.  (But this is like waiting for the birth of your first child )

[Cooperman]

I found this out yesterday while researching US market Coopers. Here is the full brochure from http://mk1-performan...nversions.co.uk
http://mk1-performan...tin_coop_us.pdf

997 Cooper engine
7" disc brakes
6.5 Gallon tank

It's possible for the drawing of the red one they simply flipped it over to give the look of a left hand drive car, but flipped the tank location too?

 

The 6.5 gallon tank is interesting as in the UK there was only a single 5.5 gallon LH tank, with an additional 5.5 gallon RH tank being available from about 1962 as an optional extra. The RH tank did not become Group 1 homologated until about April 1966.

But, in answer to the original question, there was never an 850 Cooper with the 848 cc engine as standard.