Mini Mike’s Mk1 Austin Cooper S Project

[UHR850]

In my opinion a deseamed racer can look quite sexy...

Agree with that as long the deseaming is done very well and strong enough it will not split.

Kees

[Mk1MiniMike]

In my opinion a deseamed racer can look quite sexy...

Agree with that as long the deseaming is done very well and strong enough it will not split.

Kees

To be fair I don’t notice it much. I guess he had to keep it streamline for racing And I’m sure it’ll look great once done up. There is some spots that need to be addressed that didn’t get welded all the way. Lots of weld on the back side too. So will definitely need to go over that to touch it up before paint.

[Mk1MiniMike]

Did a little more sorting and cleaning. Overall the car seems pretty solid. No signs of huge rot. Might replace the battery box but will determine once I wire brush off the surface rust.

What would you guys do about the slightly cut wings up front. I’d hate to replace it all just for this little sliver missing.

[iain1967s]

What would you guys do about the slightly cut wings up front. I’d hate to replace it all just for this little sliver missing.

Heritage make a reinforcement strip which is intended to be used when the wings are cut for 13” RSP wheels/tyres. But it has roughly the same profile as the edge lip, so could be used as a repair section. HMP441029

Where are you located? No location in your user profile… If in USA, I have a pair that I’m not going to use - yours for the cost of shipping from MA.

[Mk1MiniMike]

What would you guys do about the slightly cut wings up front. I’d hate to replace it all just for this little sliver missing.

Heritage make a reinforcement strip which is intended to be used when the wings are cut for 13” RSP wheels/tyres. But it has roughly the same profile as the edge lip, so could be used as a repair section. HMP441029

Where are you located? No location in your user profile… If in USA, I have a pair that I’m not going to use - yours for the cost of shipping from MA.

Oh wow never seen these before thank you for the info. Yes I’m in California. I’ll shoot ya a PM

[Mk1MiniMike]

No huge updates... just slowly organizing and stripping down the car. Poking around the engine it looks like I have a 22G333 gear box. Heard this is a great gear box. I have my suspicions that the engine has been completely overhauled so not sure what gears etc are in it. Also not feeling the weber cut out box on the fire wall wow takes up the whole dash

I think I am going to pick up a dry front subframe and components and go that route. Just seems like it'll be very difficult to get this wet suspension back up and running. I would like to hang on to it and slowly restore that over time in hopes of eventually going back to it one day.

[iain1967s]

Oh wow never seen these before thank you for the info. Yes I’m in California. I’ll shoot ya a PM

Sorry, looks like USPS have dropped the ball… I sent them on 19th Jan via Priority Mail 2nd-day to you, but showing as delayed in transit. Hopefully they will arrive eventually

[Mk1MiniMike]

Oh wow never seen these before thank you for the info. Yes I’m in California. I’ll shoot ya a PM

Sorry, looks like USPS have dropped the ball… I sent them on 19th Jan via Priority Mail 2nd-day to you, but showing as delayed in transit. Hopefully they will arrive eventually

I forgot those were coming. Checked today and saw the delay. Will keep an eye out.

[Pete]

What a great find! Some interesting modifications for racing, Id be tempted to do some more research on its history before making too many decisions about keeping the deseaming etc. You’ll only get one crack at it! My race car was very modified in the 70s but I definitely wouldn’t have restored it to its 70s spec. Some very interesting race prepared cars were shipped over to the U.S back in the 60s, Downton modified, Arden or Cooper prepared, a couple of threads in this very forum about them.
Any evidence on the back end of the anti roll bar?
Great project, good luck!

[Mk1MiniMike]

What a great find! Some interesting modifications for racing, Id be tempted do do some more research on its history before making too many decisions about keeping the deseaming etc. You’ll only get one crack at it! My race car was very modified in the 70s but I definitely wouldn’t have restored it to its 70s spec. Some very interesting race prepared cars were shipped over to the U.S back in the 60s, Downtown modified, Arden or Cooper prepared, a couple of threads in this very forum about them.
Any evidence on the back end of the anti roll bar?
Great project, good luck!

I’ve been trying to ask the guy I got it from the gentleman’s name who raced it but he has not responded. Would love to try to dig up history or pictures on it. As far as the roll bar. It’s mounted on the subframe. Probably will drop the subframes this weekend for more investigation.

[Mk1MiniMike]

Well had a contact that was selling a dry subframe with arms etc. little did I know it was attached to an engine! Still a great deal so I picked it up. Engine marking is 12A497 and gear box is 22A1522. Looks to be a 998 remote change. Need to check the head. Long day so will dive into it a bit tomorrow.

[Cole Liggett]

Nice find on the 998!

[Mk1MiniMike]

A little motivation to keep going. Got my heritage cert in the mail today and my Lucas indicator lens from Andrew.

[Andrew1967]

Glad it arrived safely Mike

[Mk1MiniMike]

Glad it arrived safely Mike

[timmy201]

So did the heritage cert confirm it’s identity and was it a US export from new?

[Mk1MiniMike]

So did the heritage cert confirm it’s identity and was it a US export from new?

Yup. Not sure why some of my pictures turn sideways and quality suck. But yes. It’s a 67 Austin Cooper S 1275 USA export . Island blue/ OEW

[timmy201]

I thought perhaps you were trying to keep the identity safe from being duplicated

Good to know it’s an S. Did you happen to still have the original engine?

[Mk1MiniMike]

I thought perhaps you were trying to keep the identity safe from being duplicated

Good to know it’s an S. Did you happen to still have the original engine?

I’m assuming it is the original engine but the number plate is missing on it. The block and gear bock casting numbers are Cooper s 1275. The head seems to be a later 12g940.

[Johnny]

Great project,

Can you provide the date of dispatch and the destination, city or dealer. I'm assuming it's California.
I'm in the States too and enjoy researching race Minis.
Hope to be able to help.