1966 850 back on the road

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RichB
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1966 850 back on the road

Post by RichB »

Hi everyone,
I've recently got my standard 850 back on the road after 18 months of work. This forum has provided so much useful information it's amazing - thanks to all that contribute. I've also bought a few bits from members on here that would be very difficult to find elsewhere in such good condition.
I've put a few pics below - I know it's not perfectly standard, but it's what I wanted!
Ta
Rich
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1966 Austin 850
Shropshire
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Ronnie
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Re: 1966 850 back on the road

Post by Ronnie »

It's a credit to you :!: :!: :!: great job.
AndyPen
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Re: 1966 850 back on the road

Post by AndyPen »

Thanks for sharing such a lovely restoration, and yes, this place is a goldmine for parts and expertise ;-)
minibitz
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Re: 1966 850 back on the road

Post by minibitz »

Quite a transformation, well done!

Nice to see a classic that isn't red, grey or green too.
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Peter Laidler
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Re: 1966 850 back on the road

Post by Peter Laidler »

GREAT restoration and nice colour combination too. Any reason for the S type wheels?
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Exminiman
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Re: 1966 850 back on the road

Post by Exminiman »

Thats is quite special, nice to see an 850 on the road :D
RichB
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Re: 1966 850 back on the road

Post by RichB »

Peter Laidler wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2024 9:36 am GREAT restoration and nice colour combination too. Any reason for the S type wheels?
Yes, I changed to disc brakes on the front, so needed the extra offset.
1966 Austin 850
Shropshire
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Costafortune
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Re: 1966 850 back on the road

Post by Costafortune »

A base model 850, a rare thing.

The last one of those I saw was a maroon B Austin, in a scrapyard in 1981. :o :lol:

HUD is an Oxfordshire plate iirc.
RichB
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Re: 1966 850 back on the road

Post by RichB »

Costafortune wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2024 4:05 pm A base model 850, a rare thing.

The last one of those I saw was a maroon B Austin, in a scrapyard in 1981. :o :lol:

HUD is an Oxfordshire plate iirc.
Yes - the heritage certificate says it was despatched to Hartwells of Oxford in February 1966.
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Peter Laidler
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Re: 1966 850 back on the road

Post by Peter Laidler »

A friend of mine, Alan Iles, from the Design Dept at PSF in Swindon explained to me why the maroon colour was never available as a standard two-tone colour for the Mini Cooper. There were only two roof colours, white and black. Apparently white over maroon made the roof look bulbous and out of kilter (word ?) with the car while black was the direct opposite....., looked bowed IN-wards.

That's why it was the only colour of the era that wasn't available on the Coopers. That said, maroon and that light grey(?) looks quite nice
RichB
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Re: 1966 850 back on the road

Post by RichB »

Peter Laidler wrote: Sun Aug 25, 2024 6:23 pm A friend of mine, Alan Iles, from the Design Dept at PSF in Swindon explained to me why the maroon colour was never available as a standard two-tone colour for the Mini Cooper. There were only two roof colours, white and black. Apparently white over maroon made the roof look bulbous and out of kilter (word ?) with the car while black was the direct opposite....., looked bowed IN-wards.

That's why it was the only colour of the era that wasn't available on the Coopers. That said, maroon and that light grey(?) looks quite nice
That's interesting, thanks Peter.
1966 Austin 850
Shropshire
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