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

[harrymini]

Looking good Andrew, have the rear gutters gone aswell?

[Andrew1967]

I've got to replace the rest of the passenger side guttering along with the piece above the quarter window. This is due to being the most exposed in the less than ideal environment it was in following the partial collapse of the shed.

I think the rest of the roof and guttering is sound although when I start giving it a good poke about I might need to do some small repairs.

The front guttering and roof repairs were the parts I really wasn't looking forward to but it has gone pretty well in the end. The acquisition of a scrap shell with a good upper half has helped no end.

[harrymini]

I have just bought a later shell to be a donor for parts on my s. The roof gutter on the rear is completely shot on mine, but everywhere else is fine luckily.

[Andrew1967]

Yes, that is lucky Harry.

Repairing the gutter area is the worst job on a Mini in my opinion. The difficult part is if you need to replace part of the roof as well, its pretty much impossible to separate the gutter from the roof and save both sections.

One good thing is that the 90's shells are not roller welded along the roof, just spot welded, so removal of the unwanted lip is easier.

I had a part side panel for the passenger side so could afford to seperate the two sections. This is why on the drivers side, I repaired it in one piece as I didn't have a separate part panel.

[kit of bits]

I do admire your respect of keeping as much original metal as possible, I’d have been lazy and changed the roof!
D

[harrymini]

Are you keeping the wet suspension Andrew? Or going to dry?

[Andrew1967]

Changing the roof was not really an option at the moment and would in reality probably have been even more work than what I’ve done. It’s a case of repairing one area to be able to maintain shape etc to then be to move on to the next area.

Yes, I’m keeping hydro Harry. As HOY is a 65, it has the standard Mini displacers and so are easy to find....I have a dozen here to work with.

[Peter Laidler]

In my experience with mechanics of hydro units I doubt that there is any valving difference now between any of the units still living!

[Andrew1967]

Getting to the point of being able to start to weld this up following a lot of work on the roof and front.

Trial fitted the Heritage wings today and am really happy with the fit. Bearing in mind the pics show the wings just laid on and roughly clamped into place, HOY is beginning to look like a Mini once more.

I think I can now start to weld the inner wings into place with the bulkhead and floor and then fix in the windscreen surround.

The genuine BL front panel needs some minor repairs and then modification to Mk1 spec.

It is one year on Monday since I started to strip the car down, so not bad progress considering its an hour or so in the evening and a day at the weekend.

[harrymini]

Looking good Andrew, cant believe its a year ago since you started, time flies. I felt the same when my woody front went on, you really see progress happening

[Nick W]

Hi Andrew
I wonder if the a heritage wings have improved some now, as they look to fit well on yours. May be they have up't there game along with their mk1 shell??
I recently fitted some heritage wings i'd had a while, and found the gaps at the rear of the bonnet where about 1 cm each side. To stretch the wings to get the gaps to 5mm, I had to snip the return on the wing where it meets the scuttle several times, then this allowed the wing to stretch, tightening the gaps between the scuttle, and narrowing the gaps to 5 mm.
Also had to remove the lower section of the wing below the headlight , as it wasnt formed right, causing the wing to sit higher than the bonnet where it curves down to the front panel.
Will add some images to bodywork tips ....not that it looks like you will need them..

Nick

[Andrew1967]

They certainly fit better than ones I have used in the past Nick.

I do have a bit of a gap on the drivers side towards the rear but I haven't tried to properly 'fit' them at the moment as at this stage its just to offer them on to make sure all is well to start the weldathon of earlier fitted panels.

Any hints and tips are appreciated as I'm sure they will need some work to get right.

[Peter Laidler]

I am gradually getting withdrawal symptoms caused by lack of photographic progress of the HOY. Can't live for much longer Andy.........

[Andrew1967]

I am gradually getting withdrawal symptoms caused by lack of photographic progress of the HOY. Can't live for much longer Andy.........

What we need Peter, is the new owner of HOY's sister basket case to put his head over the parapet and start a new thread

I'll post some more up shortly .....

[Andrew1967]

These ok Peter

Door will need a bit of fettling but not bad for a first fit and considering there was f*** all left on the passenger side its pretty good I think.

[Old English White]

You're making grand progress there Andrew. I wonder if that "sister car" is coming along quite so well? ......

[Nick W]

Its looking good Andrew you must be pleased with it!

[Andrew1967]

I'd be happier if the bloody pictures were the right way round Nick

Yes, I am beginning to feel more confident about it now but still not counting my chickens as the saying goes.

[swifty]

Looks great Andrew , well done ... ken

[kit of bits]

Looking good Andrew..
Makes my kit of bits car looks easy!
D the apprentice!