Mk1 Cooper S wanted for Practical Classics feature

[johnsimister]

Hello to all

I've just signed up to the forum as the owner of a 1959 Morris Mini-Minor with a Shorrock supercharger, which is excellent fun. But I'm wearing my journalist's hat for this post.

I am to write a story for Practical Classics featuring production cars whose top sporting versions have racing connections. The Cooper S is an obvious example, but we shall also have a Lotus Cortina, a TWR XJS and a Brabham Herald. The drive and photoshoot will be on September 25th at the Longcross test track near Chobham, Surrey. Expenses paid of course.

Would anyone on here like to come along with a suitable Cooper S? It will be the magazine's cover story. Any of 970, 1071 or 1275 capacities will be fine but original, standard spec is important. A 1071 would be the favourite because it's the earliest.

Please PM me if you can help, or call me on 01442 872120.

Thanks very much

John Simister

[mk1]

Hi John,

PM sent.

Your 1959 850 c/w Shorrock blower isn't by any chance a Cherry Red one is it?

If it is, I know the bloke who fitted the Shorrock very well indeed

[Old English White]

Good luck with the search John. We'll all enjoy reading the article.

The Brabham Herald sounds scary/interesting I hope they sorted out the rear end a bit. My few experiences with Heralds and bends in the road were seldom a pleasure

Hope to hear more about your own Mini too.

[9330FN]

John sent you a PM

[johnsimister]

Thanks very much for replies, car now found.

Mark, yes - my Mini is indeed Cherry Red. Ex-Perry Shaw, via a couple of others who didn't quite get to grips with it. It's running very nicely now, and having suffered since Perry's ownership it has now had a very thorough re-paint. I've done a LOT of detail sorting-out, and the latest improvement is a set of Konis ready for the Kop Hill Climb this coming Sunday.

John

[mk1]

Hi John,

I thought it was that one. It was me who fitted the Shorrock to it, I think it was me who sold Perry the kit too.

The car always had the potential to be really special, but was (in my opinion) let down by an absolutely horrendous paint job. I'm glad to hear that it is now in a pair of hands who is prepared to put a bit of time & effort into getting it properly sorted. BTW, is the little 50mm tacho still working? That was one of mine too.

[Chris64]

Welcome aboard John,

I've always liked your car having seen various articles about it in the past - nice to see it pop up in Evo a few months back too!

You'll have to put a few more pics up in the 'Our Cars and Projects' section.

Cheers,

Chris

[johnsimister]

Mark - yes, the paint was not great and had been made worse by an appalling half-respray in a non-matching dark red, carried out after a small frontal biff in the hands of the bloke I bought it from. That's all fixed now, along with the fit of the doors, and all the ripples have gone. The Speedwell tacho didn't work when I got it, nor could I have seen it even if it did as it was mounted under the dash. It's now in a pod on the steering column, and has new Speedy Cables internals. It behaves oddly, though, with the reading rising when the load on the engine increases even when the revs haven't actually risen. Ideas gratefully received here.

Your Shorrock installation was very neat, especially the way it uses a poly-vee belt instead of two fanbelts. I've added a belt tensioner (MX-5 cambelt tensioner) because it was starting to slip under load, and a slim air filter which doesn't seem to have damaged the performance. There's a bit more of a crankcase breathing system now, too, because it did get a bit smelly in the cabin.

Chris - thanks for your kind words. The Mini has been in Octane a few times, in the 'Octane Cars' section, and was in September's MiniWorld. It should be in the next issue too, or the one after. I have copies of its original appearances in '06 or thereabouts in both MiniWorld and Practical Classics.

John

[814CWE]

nice to see a lovely car is in good hands,,and a bit of a relief,,,most seem to be disappearing overseas fast!

[THE REVEREND]

ive got a 970 if its any help. see mini mag april 2012 page 64 to 68 its not standard through