MK1 bodge to Cooper replica

[Philsa]

I have been looking at some minis for sale for ages and there are alot of clubman cars around, but not much mk1 cars. So after I got tired of searching I found this little diamond in the rough.

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Had a clubman engine swap some time in the past. Later car wiper motor. New custom wiring loom for and fitted with LED lights all round.

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[Philsa]

Fitted with later bootlid from a Austin Mini Clubman and the more LED lights for show.

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This is the interior. Badly fitted aftermarket steering wheel and the central console hacked for a radio. All the gauges and speedo meter and trip meter actually worked.

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[Philsa]

This is the current exhaust setup and the sealant all over the gearbox and diff housing. Just love how the exhaust is removed from the tunnel and folded around the gear selector housing.... The scrapes on the bottom, yip from being too low.

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One of the first things I did was to relocate the starter solenoid.

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There was alot of engine movement, after some investigation I found the engine mounting fitted with just the bottom bolt.

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[UHR850]

You Mini has the very nice Export badge as used in some countries, yours is the Austin version but there is also an Morris version. On the right side from the MINI logo there was 850, 1000, Clubman, 1275GT, Cooper or Estate. On the pictures you see my collection of badges. The pins on the back are on the same plate as on the "normal" Mk3 badges.

Kees.

[Peter Laidler]

It's fairly safe to call it a bit of a hybrid............. WWWWWWWhat exactly is it? What did it start its life as? Presumably a Mk1 from the rear screen

[Philsa]

Thanks for all the badges info Kees.

It's fairly safe to call it a bit of a hybrid............. WWWWWWWhat exactly is it? What did it start its life as? Presumably a Mk1 from the rear screen

Yes Peter, I did measure the rear window and it is smaller than later cars. The start button was floor mounted earlier on in life. The paperwork gives no clue as to the history unfortunately. I cannot try to date it from anything as per usual, wiper motor changed. had after market ignition switch. The boot lid was changed with a later boot lock assembly. I can however confirm the hole for the fuel tank drain is still available and the rotodip hole is covered. The rear light apertures was modified, but I am certain they were MK1 items previously. Under the rediculous front spoiler the body is still a pre 64 front valance with no cooling cut outs for the brakes. So who really knows.

[Philsa]

I sourced a numberplate holder and fitted it.

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Then I replaced the broken engine steady bracket and the engine steady rubber bushes.

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[surfblue63]

As the car has a front panel without the cut outs it is probably one of the CKD Mk1 cars built at Blackheath before production of the South African cars started. The pre-fix on the chassis number would probably confirm this.


If the car was mine I would be taking a chisel to that body kit and hoping that they was not to much rust damage hidden beneath it.

[Philsa]

Next up I fitted some new rear slave cylinders, flexible hoses and longer studs for the spacered drums.

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The gear selector housing when I removed it off the car....

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After a good scrub and cleaning, I made the bracket to move the housing over to the left in the tunnel, so that the exhaust could fit in the tunnel next to it. Fitted some new bobbins while I was at it.

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Had to enlarge the hole for the gear selector.

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End result was actual gear selection and not porridge stirring anymore and I replaced the steady bush on the gearbox also. The reverse light switch is redundant now and will not be used anymore.

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[Philsa]

Cleaned the thread for the central block.

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New central block fitted

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Also will be fitting a side exit exhaust as I am not a fan of the central exit.
New brackets and bobbins.

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[Philsa]

Fitted accuspark kit to 45D dizzy, swapped new plugs into engine.
Removed the carb and again have to wonder about the workmanship of the previous repairs.

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Modified spindle with some weird screws found.

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I was quite amazed that I drove the car with this much junk in the float bowl.

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Some new SU parts, before fitment.

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[Philsa]

Decided to take a look at the front brakes and suspension next.
I have not seen this much brake dust upon removal of a drum, eish.
Surely looks like the original drums

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Home made hi-los, but they were rusted solid.

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Perspective new vs old.

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Took lower control arms and tie bars and upper arms down to metal, some black enamel and new bushes later, ready to be refitted.

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[Philsa]

The wing mirrors was totally useless, so had some new chrome mirrors laying around, just got some plinths and then fitment commenced.

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Had a look through my horde of parts and found the longer passenger handle and the door handle stops (brand new never fitted it to my panelvan). I do not have the correct handle for the drivers door.

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[AndyPen]

The non locking handle is actually the rarer one - an no longer available. Minispares do the drivers one still


http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/24A2083.aspx

[68Deluxe]

Looks like a great starting point and far more exciting than a rover with a Mk 1 grill.
Best of luck, it looks like it is in good hands!

[Philsa]

The non locking handle is actually the rarer one - an no longer available. Minispares do the drivers one still

Thanks AndyPen noted.

I did bring some other bits in from minispares, did not think to look for the handle.

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Looks like a great starting point and far more exciting than a rover with a Mk 1 grill.
Best of luck, it looks like it is in good hands!

Thanks, just trying to improve the poor mini.

[Philsa]

Next up I resorted to the interior.
Removed the speedo and black housing.

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And rerouted the auxilary gauge fittings

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The inlet/exhaust manifold just had to go.

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New maniflow LM004 and metro type inlet manifold.

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[Philsa]

Took the mini to the exhaust shop, they built a new system with a single box and side exit.

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Did not have spire clips to fit the bonnet badge, but threaded it and mounted it that way.

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[AndyPen]

My old Morris Cooper badge was threaded but with a course thread, was it easy to do???

[Philsa]

Hi AndyPen

Yes just lined the die nut up and carefully started to turn it by hand and then with holder to the bottom of the mounting stud.

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