Stainless arch trim, square hole hub caps? jan 61?

[Tris 14]

Hi all. Currently getting my mini nearer roadworthy condition (haha still got the welding to do, but its getting closer) , its a Morris De Luxe registered in jan 61 which would have been built some point in 60 (not got heritage certificate yet). I am quite sure It should have the 3 part stainless trim, but should it be fitted? if so fluted or plain type? Also believe it should have square holed hub caps but again would like some opinion's or answers of what is correct! If it does need stainless trim and square hub caps i will be posting in the wanted section

Thanks in advance for your knowledge that I would love to have!

[JC T ONE]

built some point in 60 (not got heritage certificate yet).

you can check the following items for dates =

1 door locks
2 glass = windows
3 fusebox
4 wipermoter
5 stoplight switch (hydraulic)
6 bootlid lock latch
7 dynamo
8 starter
9 ignition lock
10 light & wiper switches
11 rear light housing (only a sticker) can be found on GT & Clubman front ones too.
12 indicator stalk
13 solenoid
14 distributor
15 horn
16 pcv valve ( Cooper & S plus some export models / automatic)
17 heater motor
18 heater matrix
19 headlamp bowls
20 fuel tank sender, on week & last digit for year.
21 Dynamo charging relay
22 Heater valve

Early cars = MK I & II also have date on flasher unit (MK I) & numberplate light (MK I & II)

I am quite sure It should have the 3 part stainless trim, but should it be fitted?
if so fluted or plain type ?

never seen the stainless type made in the plain version ?

Bet someone inhere will know more
__________________

[Tris 14]

WOW Thank you so much for such an extensive reply!! I knew you could date wiper motor,glass and ignition but not everything else!! Looked at glass a while back and if i remember rightly i have 4 Triple X pieces of glass that is from 59, 2 pieces made in 60/61 and some later type. Will have a look at other parts to give me a better idea of dating it. Thanks so much, looking forward to getting out there and trying to piece together the dates!!

I thought I 'heard' there was 2 types of trim but may well be wrong but dont want to start looking for the wrong stuff and end up buying it or something! haha. Will try and find a picture of the 2 types if there is!? Trouble is with minis is that everything was always changing and its very hard to find when bits changed but will find out in the end im sure

[JC T ONE]

Hi Tris,

no problemo glad to help.

the different parts will be dated with some difference, and on a old car like yours,
the Lucas parts, will be dated month & year, instead of week & year.

[rolesyboy]

Hi Tris. I have one very nice square hole hub cap trim ring. PM me if you need one. Cheers. Mark

[FCV.66]

3-piece stainless-steel trim was first fitted to both the Super and Cooper when production of them began in June/July 1961, then to Elf and Hornet when they began production. The early Super deluxe was fitted with them for a short while, from its introduction in October 62. The deluxe Mini would have been fitted with plain, flat plastic trim, pop-rivited at both back and front of the car, also on the lower curve of the wheel arches. Ribbed plastic would certainly have been wrong for a 1960 car.
Garry.

[mk1]

The deluxe Mini would have been fitted with plain, flat plastic trim, pop-rivited at both back and front of the car.

Totally agree with the above.

My untouched 61` Deluxe has flat wheelarch trim.

[Tris 14]

Thank you all so much for the reply's. Still not got round to looking at my MK1 to date parts but will let you know when I have and most probably start a thread in projects and get some pictures up rolesyboy Thanks but I would be looking for a set of 4 of this type if correct for my car which I believe they are : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-BMC-Mini ... true&rt=nc/url]]

Thanks FCV.66 and mk1 thats good to know, at least I know what I should have now Is there any pictures of this plain flat plastic trim, or is it just the normall stuff you see on lots of minis and can easily buy at shows.

[FCV.66]

Yes, it is the usual flat trim you see on offer at shows but I haven't bought any of it for some while so don't know if there are degrees of quality that can be bought. Buy the best quality if there is a choice because it is very difficult to fit without seriously kinking it around the inner curve of the arches. When fitting, make sure it is a warm day and that you have plenty of time and patience - oh, and have a spare piece of trim handy!!

Garry.

[814CWE]

square hole hubcaps were phased out in oct 60 around the same time as the straight gearstick and the introduction of recessed windows,,BUT not all at the same time
some late flat screen pillar cars have cranked sticks,some early recessed screen cars have straight gear sticks and the hubcaps follow the same vein
id assume all nov 60 built cars ,by this point had recessed screens,oval hole hubcaps and cranked sticks.....

but,,bmc always found a parts bin full of old stuff and shoved it on a later car..

when i was a kid one of my neighbours had had his 62 grey morris van from new,,it had a straight gearstick,,and it had been on from day one,,,guess thebatch of long lost then found obsolete sticks were used up on the vans,cos nobody cared!!!!

it was only a van after all

[Tris 14]

Thanks for the reply brook shaw. Interesting as i have recessed windows and a dog leg gearstick. Thats the things with mini's, never a definite cut off or start date for anything. Prefer the square hole caps tbh. But I will get heritage certificate when I go back to work/get some money and have got car on the road and have taken a picture of it for heritage certificate. Yes I am going for expensive one worth it though, he says with a sigh. Will spent a couple of hours looking at various numbers etc and have a bit of fun trying to work out actual date before getting certificate!

Finally started a thread about it here: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6384

[Pete]

Yes change points are often difficult to define, especially when you see a car that goes against modern accepted criteria . Late '64 cars are a good case in point when quite a number of changes took place which meant for example some hydro cars had full skirt fronts which is a rare combo. I've seen original Island Blue paint on a '64 car nearly a year before availability and recently a clip of an early '63 car '731 HOP' which shouldn't have plastic window catches but as can be seen in the following clip it clearly has....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LghYopfxCs4

Having said that it clearly has chrome ones in it's April '63 Autocar test report.

Any more rare combinations out there ? Who's seen original Cooper factory recliners in powder blue/gold brocade ? Technically Surf Blue/ Fiesta Yellow were both out of production before recliners became available so this seat in this colour should really be a myth but I've met people who've sworn they've had some !

[Old English White]

We also mustn't forget that a lot of people worked at the Longbridge and Cowley plants in those more flexible days and were able to get things done on an unofficial basis......
I remember seeing employees new Morris 1100s with full leather interior and chrome side strips from the better models etc etc all factory fitted 'cos he'd had a word with colleagues as it travelled down the line....Some reputedly had a bit more attention in the paintshop and so on. You could get almost anything done if you knew the right people.

Recently there was a (1965?) white Mk1 Mini 850 with a green roof for sale on ebay with an distinctive Oxford registration and green leather trimmed seats. Even the dash rails were trimmed in green leather. I'd seen it before several years ago and I've no doubt it was a "factory special" built for somebody with a bit of influence.

Probably doesn't happen quite so much in the BMW MINI plant

[FCV.66]

Yes, I've seen that Mini for sale a few times recently. It fascinated me with its green leather seats and dash rails - it seems 'factory' original.

[Old English White]

Be interesting to see a "Heritage Certificate" for it wouldn't it? I wonder how much that would reveal ?? I think it was built for a manager's wife if I remember correctly. The recent seller seems unaware of the full story doesn't he.

It would make an interesting, slightly unusual restoration project although sadly the leather seats are no longer in very great condition and looking at the photos one can only guess at how much plod exists under the paint.......

[Pete]

I suppose this is one of the things that makes early Minis so appealing , that really when you take into account the options list (not that long I suppose), the colour choices and the changes throughout production, that so few cars are actually exactly the same which for a mass production car makes them so interesting.

[KA2S4]

Yes Pete, i have wondered about the Powder Blue/Brocade recliner issue.

I came to the conclusion that if you had a 3-4 year old Surf/Fiesta car in 1966, maybe you could buy a set of recliners for it in the right colour from BMC.

James.

[Pete]

Personally though James I've a feeling that BMC would not have marketted a newly introduced optional extra for a colour of car no longer in production, I personally have never seen an original powder blue/gold brocade reclining seat, has anyone else ?

[814CWE]

Yes, I've seen that Mini for sale a few times recently. It fascinated me with its green leather seats and dash rails - it seems 'factory' original.

the chassis number according to gaydon for this car comes back as ......black