1962 Morris Cooper Downton conversion

[mario abreu]

i like that van!

It's actually an estate

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=22592

[mario abreu]

Below is the link to a blog of a portuguese historian and colector of very interesting information of portuguese society...
It's copyrighted so won't post any photos.

If you'd like to have any of it translated I can do that for you... small bits though!
Please don't ask me to do it all..

This part concerns the original owner of my car. Antonio Medeiros e Almeida. He met with Lord Nuffield and got Morris cars sold in Portugal from the early 20's.

http://restosdecoleccao.blogspot.com/20 ... a-lda.html


Nice Mini related photos...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IWUy ... ntejo4.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O2jW ... rques4.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5gVv ... 25255D.jpg


Grand Prix...

https://restosdecoleccao.blogspot.com/2 ... -1958.html

[surfblue63]

Great story and great pictures.

Translated web page links

http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.a ... a-lda.html

http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.a ... -1958.html

[foxy52]

Below is the link to a blog of a portuguese historian and colector of very interesting information of portuguese society...
It's copyrighted so won't post any photos.

If you'd like to have any of it translated I can do that for you... small bits though!
Please don't ask me to do it all..

This part concerns the original owner of my car. Antonio Medeiros e Almeida. He met with Lord Nuffield and got Morris cars sold in Portugal from the early 20's.

http://restosdecoleccao.blogspot.com/20 ... a-lda.html


Nice Mini related photos...Great period pics...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IWUy ... ntejo4.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O2jW ... rques4.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5gVv ... 25255D.jpg


Grand Prix...

https://restosdecoleccao.blogspot.com/2 ... -1958.html

[Pandora]

id love a mini van that turned into a big healey!!!

I've checked, and mine doesn't seem to be working?



Al

[richardACS]

For what it is worth, to my eyes early Minis look best with chrome or otherwise polished mirrors. I have a Mk2 (see avatar) and that is what I use on it.

As there are many choices available, much comes down to what you like as well as feel best suits your car. Perhaps you can find something similar that was available in the 60's in Portugal (or Spain)?

Below is a still from the 1965 British film The Collector showing a wing mirror fitted to an early Morris Cooper.



Those type of old photos are great to see what really was used 'back in the day'.

Good luck in your research.

That shot was taken in Hampstead - looks the same today!

[Old English White]

Period wing mirrors are still fairly readily available. Most were supplied by Desmo or Tex in various different styles and sizes.

[mario abreu]

Well, the Portimao Historic Festival, in the Algarve, is in two weeks. That should be plenty to get the car finished for the drive down.

It was sitting too low at the front, so 4 new suspension cones went in. The Cooper now sits on its drop stops!...
Hopefully in a couple of months it will settle to normal hight. There will be no Hi-Lo's on this one!

On the photo rears still needs doing...
Also, can't wait to try the new Blockleys when they do come out...

[mario abreu]

New water pump is in, radiator all flushed and going in with new hoses.
A clean up on the inside revealed a nice floor. A little pushed up, but with careful use of a piece of wood and heavy hammer went down nicely.

At some point in time the car was stored in a warehouse and mice got to the wiring behind the instruments... Some discreet repairs needed. It very lucky they didn't get to the trim.

Speedometer cowl is cracked... but it will be repaired.

[mario abreu]

Now getting the heater back into service.
The blower housing was broken at the mounting but that is getting repaired too.
I still haven't figured out how to mount the fresh air flap/valve to the front panel. There are a couple of good pictures here on the forum that should be of help.

There's a bit of hose missing. From valve to blower. If anybody has a small length of it lying around, I wouldn't mind buying it.

[coopertim]

Hi Mario

Any chance of a detailed photo of the throttle bracket assembly please?

Thanks Tim

[mario abreu]

Tim, happy to do my best... hope it's clear enough.
very hard to do better.

I don't know who built this linkage, but it looks purpose made and not taken from some other car...
The roller we have seen before comes from an MG TD or similar.
The first owner having sold Morris and MG from the 20´s (close to 100 year ago! )

You can see on the first photo the rod that goes through the bulkhead, and how it connects to the pedal. Multiple holes can be seen, maybe for quicker throttle opening.

On the second photo you can see, on the right side, where the rod comes out the other side.

Third photo if from top, over carb linkages.

Last is another view of the rod coming through bulkhead.

Hope it helps.

[coopertim]

That’s fantastic Mario! Thanks a lot, those photos help a great deal.

Tim

[9330FN]

Was reading this thread with interest Mario and wondered if have you done anything else to the car.

Interestingly my 1071 is Smoke Grey but had been painted dark blue early in its life as it had been owned by a Sheikh who painted all his cars in the same colour.

Look forward to hearing more on your very interesting car.

Mike

[mario abreu]

I haven't done anything else to it. Just some driving, although sparingly.
We've had more rain than usual and it's about a month now since it last came out.
I really should make some more photos of it...