My new project - 1965 Morris Cooper S - HOY 500D

[WMU 211G]

Any ideas on the make of the dash ?

The Autocar Mini Special mag for 25/5/67 has a photo of one just like yours Andrew, caption says it's made by 'Northampton Coachbuilders in glass fibre with a 'leathercast' finish... price £6 19s 6d!'

Edit... just found an advert for them in the same mag, it's a 'Motolux Competition Dashboard' made by Moto Baldet Ltd, Westonia Garage, Wellingborough Road, Northampton. Dash is supplied as a blank finished in black, so whoever put it in your S must have had some fun cutting the holes for the gauges etc.

[Andrew1967]

Thanks for hunting that down Nidge

Are you able to post up a copy of the advert ?

Found someone on the net who makes a fibreglass replica of it.

[Andrew1967]

People that treat cars like this should be beaten up and down the road!

surely though, had this car not been stored like this by the previous owner, then it would have likely been broken up years ago?

I can see both sides to this Nev and Rich....

Parallels could be applied to Dai Woodham of the infamous Barry Scrapyard. How could he have let those fantastic steam locomotives decay and rot like he did ?! BUT, if it wasn't for him then there would be over 200 less British steam locomotives in existence today, most of which are (or have been) in steam since rescue. He should be hailed as a hero to the preserved steam movement.

Unlike our car industry we DID build the best steam locomotives in the world (although there was always the odd crap design that slipped through the net)

[Pete]

Thanks for hunting that down Nidge

Are you able to post up a copy of the advert ?

Found someone on the net who makes a fibreglass replica of it.

I had a Motolux dash in MEG, so another coincidence! I also had a NOS one that hadn't ever been cut, that one was bought by ABS Motorsport who now sell the copies in GRP. Not sure what it's got to do with Les Leston... the company was run by Andre Baldet who raced a Loutus Cortina I think...

http://www.absmotorsport.co.uk/product/ ... dashboard/

Andrew I've also got the instruction leaflet for the dash that came with the NOS one. If you are refitting the dash on the car you can have that to go with it. I've posted a press ad up on the forum in the past :

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13071&p=103095&hili ... ux#p103095

[WMU 211G]

Thanks for hunting that down Nidge

Are you able to post up a copy of the advert ?

Found someone on the net who makes a fibreglass replica of it.

Here you go mate...



Some blokes have all the luck

[Highnumbers]

I had a Motolux dash in MEG, so another coincidence! I also had a NOS one that hadn't ever been cut, that one was bought by ABS Motorsport who now sell the copies in GRP. Not sure what it's got to do with Les Leston... the company was run by Andre Baldet who raced a Loutus Cortina I think...

Wow, I never knew Andre Baldet was involved in motorsports or anything automotive. His name is well-known to classic scooterists from his many years as a scooter dealer/entrepreneur (mostly with Vespa). Interesting...

[Andrew1967]

Cheers Nidge and Pete.

The pics of the dash look so much better than whats in mine at the moment

[Andrew1967]

Andrew I've also got the instruction leaflet for the dash that came with the NOS one. If you are refitting the dash on the car you can have that to go with it. I've posted a press ad up on the forum in the past :

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13071&p=103095&hili ... ux#p103095

Pete,

Jury is out on what I'll do with it at the moment. I'm tempted to keep it if it can be made to look good.

If you can keep hold of the instruction leaflet or even email me a scanned copy that would be good.

Cheers

Andrew

[SMOKE GREY]

IMG_0510.JPG

Mine that used to be in the Orangebox.

[Old English White]

That dashboard wasn't cheap. £6 19s. 6d was more than my first weekly wages
It is great to see a car with a few period accessories I think. Let's see if you're brave enough to retain it Andrew
Despite all those years of neglect (what a shame), at least the car still survives - and the interior trim is amazing!
(Do you have the other front seat??)
As others have already said, previous evidence tells us that you are the man for the job Andrew.
A Surf Blue Mk1 "S" is pretty much the perfect Mini to my eyes. I know you've had a long wait for this car so I'm really pleased you finally have it safely in your hands!
Good luck with the restoration. Richard.

[Andrew1967]

Thanks Richard, it sure has been a long wait for this car !

I haven't made up my mind yet on the dash but I am tempted

[The Collector]

Hi Andrew

found it, Great project-Brave man, why do we do it


P

[Andrew1967]

Good question Peter

Picked up the engine and most of the other missing parts yesterday, along with another PB Brocade seat and a Mk1 PB plain seat for material to repair a couple of panels on the seats.

The 333 box I have got with it is a 'Q' box for Hardy Spicers. Collecting it in the next week or so.

Really need a 'Y' box for the rubber couplings to make this correct. Anyone got a 'Y' box but need a 'Q' ??

Got a nice Gordon Spice steering wheel with it

[moita]

Congrats on your find ! Will be a cracking Surf Blue S !

Love the interior.

Cheers,

Moita.

[Andrew1967]

Thanks Nuno

On speaking to the owner yesterday he says its quite possible that the tax disc I found was the last one the car ever had, as he bought it with some tax on it but didn't re-tax it.

So it's probably been in his barn since 1973 !!

[moita]

That could explain the good condition of the brocade !! So, probably very small number of previous owners?

[Thee Adder]

Brave man!

[Beatie]

I knew the S was finally home Andrew
I saw this turn of into your village on the way home tonight

Am looking forward to a proper nose and will see you very soon mate

[Andrew1967]

Very good Jeremy - I had heard that shares in Yarmouth Steel had gone up since last week !

Yep, you are first on the list to come round for a good laugh !

[Ollie78]

Hi Andrew.... wow, congratulations, I'm looking forward to seeing that get get the love it deserves. Great project, all the best.