ACS 65C - Mk 1 Cooper S

[Peter Laidler]

I just can't get my head around some of the skills shown by you blokes on this car rebuild part of the forum......... Mind blowing! Talking of skilled blokes, where are you Andy and HOY......? I'm getting withdrawal symptoms

[richardACS]

I just can't get my head around some of the skills shown by you blokes on this car rebuild part of the forum......... Mind blowing! Talking of skilled blokes, where are you Andy and HOY......? I'm getting withdrawal symptoms

Couldn't agree more Peter, Andys work should receive an accolade - wish I had learned and honed those skills!

[richardACS]

The n/side inner wing was a bit knocked about and the images don't unfortunately show the damage before work in this area were started, and in reviewing the images have just noticed that Paul had a little helper - kept that one quiet!

[richardACS]

Over to the off side inner wing, also beaten about and with some holes stretched/torn

[richardACS]

As mentioned elsewhere the new front panels have the later indicator pressing and so the original front panel had to give up these sections - "who said there was no original metal in the car"?

[Andrew1967]

I just can't get my head around some of the skills shown by you blokes on this car rebuild part of the forum......... Mind blowing! Talking of skilled blokes, where are you Andy and HOY......? I'm getting withdrawal symptoms

Couldn't agree more Peter, Andys work should receive an accolade - wish I had learned and honed those skills!

Well thanks for the praise but I'm not alone in the skills department. Amongst others, I'm really impressed with the work that David (Dearg1275) is doing a cracking job with his Cooper project and goes one better by lead loading. This is something I should learn but go for the easier option

I might be streets ahead in the madness of what one is prepared to take on though

[Andrew1967]

Some great work on your car too Richard, by the way

[richardACS]

Thanks Andrew, I will pass on comments to Paul Dooley. Noticing your comment re lead loading that is Pauls way of doing things and would like to have a go at it myself!

While at the Beulieu show earlier this year I spent some time at Newtons stand looking at the seats and fabrics and while my car was supplied in the Dove Grey/Dark Grey seats (and Dove grey liners) as per below, I couldn't help thinking that it would look rather nice in Tarten Red/Gold Brocade Red and Gold Brocade Grey liners. As can just be seen in the white car below and wonder what others think?

It was not according to Jack Parnells book, a factory option in that combination.

[Peter Laidler]

Grey/grey for me if you're asking! And as Andy points out, lets not forget Deargs cracking little Cooper too. The little 998, an all time favourite of mine

[richardACS]

Grey/grey for me if you're asking! And as Andy points out, lets not forget Deargs cracking little Cooper too. The little 998, an all time favourite of mine

Thanks for your reply Peter, I seem to have a necessity to challenge myself - with my Lotus Elan Sprint, the colour was in Lotus yellow but spent a while believing I should go Pistachio green! In the end it did stay as per build sheet

You are just about to cost me another couple of hours one evening (having found Deargs Cooper) - what a great story and project to catch up on!

My first Cooper was a 998 Mk 2 in El Paso Beige 5522MM - I don't believe it exists any more as the reg number (a number l should have kept) now appears on something non mini. But have to agree with you for being a favourite. The S has the power (well a bit more) and the nice looking bits such as the wheels and twin tanks (which are special) but the Cooper was simply 'sweet and smooth' by comparison.

One day I'm going to have to try a 1071 as it could possibly be the perfect go between. For a sweet balanced engine is a joy - would be a dream to find an affordable resto project (in Fiesta yellow please) and one that I could have the courage to do the metal myself!

[UHR850]

Now the rightway up

Kees.

[richardACS]

Thanks Kees it must have been that last bottle!

[richardACS]

Time for the n/s front wing which didn't fit out of the box

[richardACS]

The next phase of the body was to deal with the roof, we knew the car had been rolled and that this happened in the latter end of the 1960's, the drivers side B post and just aft of the offside rear window had been pulled out as best possible and lead filled.

The roof had been extensively panel beaten, many hammer marks were evident.

The drip rail was missing, the gutter had some rust perforations and it's shape was quite random.

[richardACS]

The roof was then cut away as there was just too much wrong with it, and we wanted to get at the top of the B post on the drivers side. This was then cut off and a section replaced as it was proving difficult to get behind the damage sufficiently to try and reshape the original. Unfortunately no image was taken of this repair.

Also with the roof gone we could get to the gutter to reshape and finish it off well from both sides

[richardACS]

Moving on to the engine - Could the enlightened soul's found here - advise me on the correct crankshaft for a September 1965 1275S. From the parts book it appears to be AEG315 or AEG479 but would appreciate finding out which would have been the correct?

Secondly does anyone know of where I might find one/have one for sale?

[richardACS]

In trying to find a good cylinder head AEG163 relative to year (1965) the feedback is that the original cylinder heads were not that good and difficult to repair. I would appreciate feedback as would be nice to get the car to an original spec but??

[InnoCooperExport]

Although I have no experience myself with these heads it is said that the AEG163 is a fragile one. Finding one worth your time and effort will be very difficult and apparently a good 12G1805 (the Mk3 S head based on 12G940 casting) is a great substitute. Much stronger, less prone to cracking and flows just as well if not better. So I'm told.

[richardACS]

Although I have no experience myself with these heads it is said that the AEG163 is a fragile one. Finding one worth your time and effort will be very difficult and apparently a good 12G1805 (the Mk3 S head based on 12G940 casting) is a great substitute. Much stronger, less prone to cracking and flows just as well if not better. So I'm told.

Thanks for the comments, I'm hoping to find a worthwhile original and possibly taking a bit of a gamble...

[richardACS]

Hydrolastic displacers, do the units themselves tend to last? or is it just the hoses that seem to fail? I believe I heard the Fred at Nippycars was going to make some original pattern ones - anyone else heard this?