SteveG wrote:Another interesting fact. All coopers and coopers 's' assembled in Aussie were Morris badges except some which went to NZ which were Austin badges but had a Morris Grille (I owned one) Tim will correct me there but I think that's right?
Yep thats right. Around the early '60s BMC Australia rationalised their model range. They decided that the small car range (Mini, Morris Major Elite and 1100) would all be badged Morris, and the larger models would all be Austins, they also retained Wolseley for the up-market version.
I didn't know about the Morris grille on the NZ exported Austins though.
Austin Minis (like bnicho's) are rare here, so are a little more valuable than the equivalent Morris.
You can tell if its a CKD kit car by looking at the arches and gutters Bmc factories used over lapping spot welds where CKD cars that I have seen used a spot every inch or so.
I'm not sure how Australian minis were welded, I assume the overlapping spotwelds you are referring to are from the roller welders?
Its pretty easy to identify Australian Minis from about 1965 onwards, when they started to become more localised, but before that its harder. The easiest method is the roof drain holes which were always drilled on Aussie Minis.
Its worth remembering that the BMC Australia plant was a very sophisticated factory for its day. It covered several hectares and employed over 7000 at its peak. It had the only rotodip plant outside the UK.
Not much to report this week. Minispares are sourcing the correct loom for me with longer wires to control box. I collect a complete set of zinc plated nuts and bolts tomorrow for the car.
I have been sandblasting around the inner sills, and under the door steps. I also grinded back all the paint and filler from front right headlight area and rear RHS wing which have both suffered a knock in the past. The shell is booked into a panel beaters Next monday to get these areas repaired and also some welding work done.
The subframes are getting dipped and should be back this week. They will come up like new.
Waiting on a important shipment from minispares which will help me crack on with things.
I ended up stripping the whole shell to bare metal to see what i'm dealing with. How often do you start thinking you will touch up here and there and end up stripping the lot??
Wife not happy again as the car was quite tidy when I bought it!
I found a few more small rust issues and a couple more dents to fix so was probably worthwhile sorting now rather then major job later. The shell is at the panel beaters having inner sills done and a boot repair.. plus some dents pulled out. The shell is original so trying to fix as much of it as I can rather then replacing too many panels.
The engine had the once over just before I bought it and was ready to re-assemble. Once my mechanic starting getting into it we noticed things were wrong. The rings were too big... the big end bearings were 1300 not 's' and now the mains bearings are wrong too! The hole lot has been sent back to the engine re conditioner to fix properly.
I've ordered a 's' style minispares crank pulley and damper etc.. this, and the crank, flywheel etc will all be balanced and motor assembled before coming back.
As mentioned before the pistons are +20.
I'll be checking on the engine this week and the shell. I got the subframes acid dipped and they have been painted. They look great.
Tonight I have been making up some stencils with plastic for the MOWOG and Part numbers for the subframes. Delicate work but getting there. I'll aim to do one each night once kids are in bed!
I'm going to run with 3.5 S wheels for now. I have always liked that look. My car had 4.5's from the factory though. I will restore the aussie Gp2 arches as a couple have cracks in and I may well fit those in the coming years ahead as I do really like them. They are great because you don't need to drill holes in the painted shell. I will still have the holes there in the 'lip' so will be easy to fit If I want later.
I need to work on some photos as I know words are boring.
I went to panel beaters today to see how shell is coming along. Its been there for a number of weeks now. I'm pretty happy with progress albeit slow. I don't mind waiting as long as the job is good.
repairs done:
New outer sills
Inner sills repaired
Jacking point driver side replaced
patch in boot floor
right rear wing pulled out as it had a knock at some stage
right front headlight area pulled out as this also was subject to a knock and put it out of line. It looks great now.
many small holes filled (probably drilled in its racing days)
patch in rear seat floor
All in all i'm very happy with the work. He now wants more money as its 'more work' then previous thought.. I saw that coming.
Engine block is taking time. Its gone away for a line bore then the new pistons, rings, bearings etc will be fitted. Head has been fully reconditioned. Its been nicely ported and should be very nice.
Its all coming together slowly. I have another baby on the way which will drain the funds further so i'm hoping to get the car finished before it arrives in July as I will have no more money then!
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I have the wrong date dynamo with my Feb 64 Car. On trademe 2 weeks ago (NZ version of EBAY) I saw a 'Alternator / Dynamo?' advertised (the guy didn't know what it was). By chance he lived in my small town also. It had a reserve of $5 (about 2 pounds 50p) so I bid thinking if nothing else i could be useful for parts. It was of coarse a Dynamo but that's as much as I knew.
I forgot about it and a week later I was surprised to see a e-mail saying my $5 bid was successful.
I was a bit slack and finally e-mailed him asking for address. He lived 2 roads from me. As i'm lazy I drove there. I handed over the $5 and took it home. It seems to be in very good condition. After a quick clean up I was amazed to see a date of Jan 64' Perfect for my mid Feb car! Nice to get some good luck.
It seems to be in very good condition. After a quick clean up I was amazed to see a date of Jan 64'
Perfect for my mid Feb car! Nice to get some good luck.
mniwagn wrote:You can tell if its a CKD kit car by looking at the arches and gutters Bmc factories used over lapping spot welds where CKD cars that I have seen used a spot every inch or so.
Must check my 3 CKD Irish Minis to see if this applies to them.I know parts of my MKII were brazed together.
