Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Images & stories about our current projects, cars, engines & all sorts of other stuff.
Romag
Basic 850
Posts: 75
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm
Location: Sydney, StraYaaaaa

Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by Romag »

Hi everyone,

It's been now 7 years since the project began, basically it's a 67' MKI Morris Cooper 998cc.

I litterally fell in love with her, as we may say, it was "love at first sight": poor condition, sad looking, but with a good potential.

She was quite complete; but as usual, everything had to be restored.

As I'm still on studies (ending in 5 weeks), the project is progressing slowly.

I'd like to share this project with all of you, because MK1 Forum has been quite a good inspiration.

I hope you enjoy it, and in advance, sorry for my poor english. :|

Any advice is welcome!

I found her in that condition, and braught her straight to my workshop:

She stood there, staring at me like a sad puppy, in a corner of my workshop for more than 4 years....

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She had an accident with a motorbike in 1975, and was showing 76'000km on the clock.

As a sudent, I've begun with things I could afford. Buying spares when I could find.

I had once the possibility to turn her into an "S, a friend of mine had an AEG 312 etc....but it was for me quite a shame to do that. I did'nt wanted to build a "false Cooper S".

This is why I decided to tune her, as a boy of my age ( now 25 years old) in 66' would have tuned it.

Whith good help from MK1 Perfomance Forum, I found quite a few good ideas, and this is where "The hunt" began.

I've always been into "a nice and original MK1", but that was too common for me.

So I decided to take more time to build this project, and to tune her into a Speedwell replica.

(I have to say that I've begun this project before prices were too far gone for me!!! :? ).

These are a few picture from last summer, when I really took time to begin the hard work:

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You can see my Moke in the background (called Mookie), best car ever!

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I gathered ( a hell of a lot of) panels since 2 years, so I braught her to the bodyshop.


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I've also started a few mechanical repairs


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Here Is my secret storage, where I stock every spare I can find

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Here are the front and rear subbys, I'm converting her into dry suspension (way too much bored with hydrolastic)


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I've tried to find a maximum of original spares, not sure if NOS brake pipes are a good idea....


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So, Here is the the center of all my intentions:

Engine spec:

1152cc (based on a 1098cc...)
C249 Cylinder head
Speedwell Camshaft
Lightenend flywheel
Twin H4
Hardy Spicers etc...

I took me more than 4 years just to gather all the spares I needed, for the engine, thanks to my mates!

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Have I done a mistake here?!?!??!

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Noob....

Now: problem solved:

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Engin just needs a paintjob now.

Many thanks to every members who helped with spares and advices, and especially to Mark for his generosity and knowledges.

The car is getting out from the bodyshop in two month, and more pictures will follow.

As said, any advice is welcome ;)

Glen
Last edited by Romag on Tue May 29, 2012 3:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Chalkie

Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by Chalkie »

Very nice work! loving the engine! :)

By the way what cylinder head is that? Never seen one like it before ?

Keep up the good work

Stephen
Tim
1275 Cooper S
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Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by Tim »

That's going to be a nice car when its done. I like your idea of not making it into a Cooper s replica, that's so common :lol:

How many of those other Minis are yours? There are some really nice vehicles in there.

Tim
1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian
georgek
850 Super
Posts: 223
Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2011 3:56 pm

Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by georgek »

Good luck with the restoration, nice workshop you've got there. :mrgreen:
Romag
Basic 850
Posts: 75
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm
Location: Sydney, StraYaaaaa

Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by Romag »

Hi, thanks for your comments:

@Ridinglow: It's a Speedwell C249 Alloy cylinder head, it's been totally rebuilt with new valves, seats, guides etc...

@Tim: It's a worshop that I share with 4 friends of mine; I just have a 68 MKII Moke (running), a 64' Traveller (nearly sold)
a 97' Sportspack (nearly in the junkyard), two 77' 1100 Special (one running, one nearly dead). A 72' Van (running) , and a 77 Clubman Estate.

Thanks for your encouragements.

Here are a few other pictures:

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ollie
Basic 850
Posts: 34
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:26 pm

Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by ollie »

:roll: I loved it!!
Nice job so far!!

Good luck...

Ollie
Romag
Basic 850
Posts: 75
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm
Location: Sydney, StraYaaaaa

Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by Romag »

Thanks Ollie,

Your job is great too!

You'll probably finish first, but I'm really looking forward to meeting you and your magnificent cars on shows!

Good luck too!

Glen
JC T ONE
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 3180
Joined: Fri Aug 13, 2010 5:25 am
Location: Denmark

Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by JC T ONE »

How nice to see a lowmilage Cooper 8-) love the original spot welds, under the rear lights, and the rustfree boot floor.

keep up the good work.


Jens Christian
Tim
1275 Cooper S
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Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by Tim »

Romag wrote:@Tim: It's a worshop that I share with 4 friends of mine; I just have a 68 MKII Moke (running), a 64' Traveller (nearly sold)
a 97' Sportspack (nearly in the junkyard), two 77' 1100 Special (one running, one nearly dead). A 72' Van (running) , and a 77 Clubman Estate.
:D That should be enough, you've got the bug pretty bad! :lol:

Tim
1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian
checkie
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2011 9:04 pm

Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by checkie »

Nice Job man. I'm looking forward to see more pics.
618AOG

Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by 618AOG »

The 1152 cc engine is a good idea - the 1098 cc engine was always a good one. Did you use the original 998 Cooper block - the 998/1098 blocks are the same.
Romag
Basic 850
Posts: 75
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm
Location: Sydney, StraYaaaaa

Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by Romag »

Hi all,

Thanks for your replies.

Yes I got the bug pretty bad :lol: nothing you can do about it...!

I've used the engin that came with the car. I think it's the original unit. It was mounted with D-top pistons etc...

Sadly I don't have the original engine number plate...

Here are a few picture from the bodyshop:

She is ready to be primered, and then, OEW with black roof, i didn't have many choices because my interior was almost complete (red and gold brocade)


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And here is the engine, painted and ready to be fitted in the subframe:

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I hope to have some news soon!

Glen
anis
850 Super
Posts: 202
Joined: Sat Jan 28, 2012 12:38 pm

Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by anis »

Hi Glen,
beautiful work you are doing here, really amazing.
I'm working on a mk1 too in switzerland, fribourg. your engine is just incredible...
I'm dreaming of vintage tuned engine for my 1964 mk1. being a family father, i would keep my car as street legal as possible. i'm new in the mini thing and don't know how much freedom we have in our country for such things.
Lieber Gruss!
Anis
Romag
Basic 850
Posts: 75
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm
Location: Sydney, StraYaaaaa

Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by Romag »

Hi Anis,

Thanks for your comment, I'm not far from you, I'm located near Morges.

Pleased to meet you, MK1 are pretty rare in Switzerland, good to know there is one more!

Legally you can upgrade your car by 20% more horsepower.

But as MOT (MFK) experts are, excuse me for calling them like that, completely useless and ignorant people,
you can without any problem go over these 20%.

For example, my '74 Mini 1000 has a 1275cc with twin carbs, 286 camshaft etc, stage 4 cylinder head etc...
and the only problem was the disc brakes in 7.5 inch.
They made a hell of a story for those brakes, but they said nothing about the engine.
If the car is quite clean and tidy, there won't be any problems.

Are you doing the works on your Mini yourself?

Cheers, Glen
anis
850 Super
Posts: 202
Joined: Sat Jan 28, 2012 12:38 pm

Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by anis »

Lausanne? Je suis sur Fribourg.
tu parles français alors. Merci beaucoup pour ta réponse. je reste accroché à ton poste et me réjouis de voir la suite.
anis
850 Super
Posts: 202
Joined: Sat Jan 28, 2012 12:38 pm

Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by anis »

I'm doing the job myself. I should say: i'm learning to do the job myself and enjoying it. i just don't have enough time to progress the way i would like to.
User avatar
arnaud-offroy
Basic 850
Posts: 83
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2012 9:32 am
Location: France

Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by arnaud-offroy »

bonjour, n'oublie pas de boucher le trou d'arrivée d'air de ta face avant.

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Romag
Basic 850
Posts: 75
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm
Location: Sydney, StraYaaaaa

Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by Romag »

Great news!

I've received my shell on the first of August.

It is sadly not perfect at all, for example, the gutter has to be painted in white. Etc...

Having finished my studies now, I have plenty of time make her back to life!


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I couldn't wait to fit my carpet!
I've baught it 4 years ago, I had an unbelievable chance to fin a NOS one, and it is really really red!
It fits just fine! It doesn't need to be adjusted, at all!

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Rear seats, quarter panels and roof lining (all original), just needed a whole day to be cleaned!


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Engine bay


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Rear subrframe ( I worked until 2a.m.), some of my friends say I'm a bit crazy...


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Engine and front subframe


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Everything seems to go pretty well so far!

More pictures to come soon!
anis
850 Super
Posts: 202
Joined: Sat Jan 28, 2012 12:38 pm

Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by anis »

wahow!!! looking very very good! it's suddenly going fast forward. i hope you enjoy it, seeing it come back to life, nicer than ever... :roll:
congratulation!
guru_1071
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 2109
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:47 pm

Re: Swiss Morris Cooper MKI

Post by guru_1071 »

looks good.

i always think the pleasure starts once you have the painted shell, its all easy after that isnt it......
please note, these are my own, individual sales, nothing whatsoever to do with my employer, minispares
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