MK1 bodge to Cooper replica

[Kay1]

Your dilemma is one I would like to be my own. I guess it all comes down to what is actually serviceable but if it’s do-able, a 1071 based unit would be something I’d pursue.

[Philsa]

Hi Kay1

Yes well I would also prefer to build the 1071 as it is not a common Cooper S motor that is as readily availalble as the 1275.

Part of my latest purchase was a 40819 Distributer dated for 1964 and a set of Rockers that will need some work.
I would also prefer to build a 4 speed gearbox with close ration gears like 22G1040 gearset, but with hardy spicer outputs.

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Just for info, I did previously buy a job lot of parts in 2020 and a 1275 Cooper S block was part of it, great I thought.

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Turned out the seller was not very honest about the block and it's history as when I turned it upside down and wanted to take the crank out....

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The crank was snapped clean off on cylinder no 3 and the block was completely cracked on central main cap right into cylinder 2 and cylinder 3.

[Kay1]

That’s disappointing.
With the 1071 - I have no personal experience with over-square A-series engines but I’m told they rev well & produce good power. I imagine a +060 1071 could be a bunch of fun.

[Philsa]

So I finally had some time to give to this mini.

I found a new bumper that was forgotten about and since the damn body kit does irratate me I wanted it off.

This is how badly this kit was fitted.

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After cutting the cracked part on the driver side corner, I did not pull very hard then this happened...

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It did also reveal the car had been red and green in its previous lives.

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[roger mcnab]

hi that broken crank reminds me of the crank in a singer gazelle i had years ago suddenly stopped moving but engine was running some what funny
cheers roger mcnab

[Philsa]

Hi Roger

That was a big let down, but the plans are slowly and surely coming together to build the 1071 S motor.

I had the front spoiler off, which is obviously for a clubman.

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Car had a front end smash at some point so the dent next to the cross brace looks bad, but ow wel.

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The end result for now. Looks so much better even with the dents and paint this is showing from previous sprayjobs.

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[Philsa]

After a few weeks of work priorities, I could give some time and love the mk1.

This is how the rear bumper for the body kit was fitted.

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After cutting through the steel frame work of the body kit.

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[Philsa]

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[timmy201]

I was a bit dubious when I saw the first few photos of this, but as you’ve started to remove the fibreglass there’s a surprising amount of decent metal underneath and shows the real potential

[Philsa]

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

I had some time today and really wanted to see how badly the rest of the body kit was fitted. The body trims for the seams was very very thick, so I had a suspicion that it was hiding some rust....

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After the first little bit of grinding with a wire wheel.

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[Philsa]

Bit of cracked filler on the rear quarter.

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The body seam trim was nicely rusted and built up proper with some filler, damn...

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Without much of a fight, this is what remains of the seam trim

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[Philsa]

Now it was onto the arches of the body kit.

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More progress.

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[Old English White]

Good progress That doesn't look too bad beneath all the bodge. At least by English standards where we generally see more rust than that!

[Peter Laidler]

With the English method of rust removal, you could chart the cars progress through the years by reading the newspapers that were to be found stuffed into the box sections

[Philsa]

Thanks for the words Gents. This being a South African car the rust is not that bad, but for me it is pretty bad, all the damn layers of paint and body filler.

Well so I carried on with the task at hand.

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Moved to the front to look at the gap that is non existant between wind and scuttle.

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Well....

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And it gets worse, hole in the wing.

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[Philsa]

More of the same on the other side.

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[Philsa]

Removed the body kit to the front.

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LH side also done. Starting to look less like a spaceship and more like a mini.

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[Philsa]

Booked Saturday to work untill I either got tired or ran out of cup brushes.
Started with LH rear back panel.

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Big dent on LH rear quarter....

[Philsa]

LH door was ONLY 2 colours and the usual 5 like rest of the car.

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View down the side.

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On the outer a-panel some more bodges.

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This was how far I got till imment rain stopped work and I treated all bare metal with deoxidene.

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[GraemeC]

To give them their due - whoever put the body kit on certainly spent time and effort with that framework
Looks like a good solid car underneath though, shouldn’t take muck fixing.

I bet you look like snowman every time you work on the car at the moment!