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

[Hipwell]

That looks fantastic Andrew, well done.

[STG95F]

looks lovely Andrew

[Tex1965]

Just fantastic work! Only if I could do the same.

I wonder..

..How did you manage with seam finishers; sprayed separately & installed later or sprayed them installed ? I have yet to make my mind how to tackle seam finishers (and install them without scrapping paint).

..What kind of seam sealer you used to seal wings to front & Wings to scuttle (or just welded/gringed or lead or..)?

Just lovely work you are doing

[whistler]

Hi, enjoyed the parts of the build as far as I've managed to read.
Have you replaced the front panel and if so did you buy it off the shelf or has it been modified.
The reason for asking is that my 66 has the same design, with thin numberplate mounts, but I cannot find any on the market that don't need modifying.

[Dearg1275]

Hi, enjoyed the parts of the build as far as I've managed to read.
Have you replaced the front panel and if so did you buy it off the shelf or has it been modified.
The reason for asking is that my 66 has the same design, with thin numberplate mounts, but I cannot find any on the market that don't need modifying.

M-machine do them specific to the year. Give them a call. The one thing they do not do routinely modify is the later plinths for the indicators to the smaller profile early ones. They do sell panels for you to modify them yourself. I’m sure they would do it for you but at a cost and a delay.

D

[whistler]

I dealt with m-machine for the 2 floors I'm currently fitting and I know they can retro modify, as they have done my boot floor, but was just hoping to buy one ready made. Thanks for the reply, I'll have a word with Doreen when I've finished the back end and floor.

[Andrew1967]

Thanks for the comments

To answer a few ..

Gray - I think my day job of having to occasionally work in confined spaces helps but it isn't easy I'll admit.

Tex - I painted the seam finishers off the car when I put the initial coats of paint on the car. I used epoxy primer on the inside of the seams. Once they were dry, I put five clips partially on each of the body lips, then some Tiger Seal along the trim and pushed them on. Then a blob of Tiger Seal on the top of the finishers to seal them off against the gutter, in a similar way that the factory did. I trial fitted the seams finishers before any of the above and adjusted get an acceptable fit. The small horizontal seam finishers behind the rear arch were Tiger Sealed on. Then flatted them back again with the rest of the car and painted the car again.

I used Final Systems CS10 sealer on the scuttle to wing seam and a little body filler on the wing to front panel seam, after running some brass along most of the wing/front panel seam to seal it. I used CS10 or Tiger Seal on most of the joints, wings to inner wings, floor to toe/heel boards, boot floor to rear panel etc etc.

Whistler - The front panel I used was a NOS BL front panel but still needed altering. I fitted smaller indicator plinths off an old Mk1 front panel I had and welded a closing plate in the grille aperture where the fresh air intake fits on a Mk3. I also changed the slam panel for a Mk1 type. Got a feeling I changed the number plate mounts for the smaller type as well.

[whistler]

Thanks Andrew.

[Tex1965]

Very helpful, thank you Andrew. Keeps me going & learning watching your achievements.

[richardACS]

A wonderful project Andrew and certainly educational...

[Andrew1967]

Thanks Richard

Time for an update ...

Been busy with the running gear and taking advantage of being able to work with the shell on its side in the rotisserie, although its now at the point where it's getting too heavy to turn it over.

I pressure tested a set of displacers using a home made jig and our free standing hydraulic press. Left them under pressure for 4 days each. A couple did leak on the hose but I found enough good ones in my motley collection. Luckily HOY, being an early 65 build has standard Mini displacers. I did change the metal inserts that take the struts for the earlier longer nose type, to suit the shorter struts and shorter coil helper springs. This was an easy change.

I also replaced the helper spring pegs on the radius arm stub axles using Peter Laidlers method and have to say it was a pretty straight forward job and was well worth the effort.

All bushes, rubbers and seals are genuine MOWOG or NOS. The displacer boots are perfect originals. The radius arms were reconditioned and all parts sandblasted and 2 pack blacked. The subframes were powder coated.

I opted for zinc coated steel brake and fuel pipes. The brake pipe is available in the UK but I had to source the 1/4 fuel pipe from the States as I could not find any supplier in the UK, only in stainless. That said, it was actually cheaper to buy the pipe from the States and have it shipped here than it is to buy the 3/16 brake pipe from the UK !!!! NOS Lockheed wheel cylinders used, checked and re-rubbered as necessary. NOS original Lockheed brake shoes used. Yes, asbestos lined but at least they won't destroy the drums

The ball joints and track rod ends are either Unipart or BL with MOWOG dust seals. Steering rack was checked and surprisingly the nylon bush has been deemed perfect. Original gaiters were re-used.

I'm now getting to the stage where it will be turned upright, put some hubs on, then some wheels and take it out of the rotisserie for the last time. Then onto wiring loom, fuel tank, headlining and then a job I'm not looking forward to ... the dash lining !!

Worst job of recent times ... trying to find some of the parts I know I have but can't find. Thanks to Gary (RPB) for coming to the rescue with a hydro handbrake quadrant ... they still haven't turned up though ! Also to David (DearG) for the front displacer retainers .. .that did turn up the day after I paid David for another pair

[harrymini]

Great progress, looking good Andrew

[docka]

First class Andrew I bet you’re enjoying this stage.
One day I’ll have the time, money and space to do this too (but never the bodywork skills!)

[Highnumbers]

Amazing Andrew.

This is my favorite thread on the entire forum. Every time I think restoring a car is a lot of work, I see your latest progress post, and then toggle back to the first page as a reminder of where you started.

Outstanding work, and it's all coming back together again now. Looking great.

[STG95F]

looking amazing Andrew

[mk1]

Looking good Andrew!

[Andrew1967]

Thanks for the comments, always appreciated

This weekend should see it on its wheels and maybe even the suspension pumped up ...

[Dearg1275]

Very tasty. Great stuff.

D

[coopertim]

Fantastic stuff Andrew! HOY is looking superb!

Tim

[moita]

Impressive Job ! All jobs done inside home ! Really inspiring!

NM