Optional R/H tank hole and fixing

[Romag]

Hi gents,

As I found on my 'S' from December '65, the fixations aren't like on a '66 car ( fuel vent hose fixing neither)

I've took the fuel tanks out, and there is no paint on the edge of the tank hole. The left one has.

My quetion is, when the optional tank was fitted, how and when was it fitted? Did they knew when they produced the shell if the car had a second fuel tank?

Here is what I am talking about ( a post is coming soon):

The strap is not at the right place:



It is an original fuel tank, and I have the original small boot board:



No boot bracket.




Thanks for your help

Glen

[Nevsmini]

Glen I'd say someone fitted the RH tank later in the cars life. Do you have a Heritage cert for the car it will tell you if the car came from the factory with a RH tank.

[Pete]

My old 'MEG' was a late '65 and had a RH tank fitted at the dealer, the stand (still in primer with part number sticker still attached) was just placed loose under the tank and the single tank bootboard was simply sawn down to fit! Like Nev says, looks like yours was fitted by the owner. I think those cars ordered with a RH tank from the factory would have painted brackets/stand (in the right place!), a and smaller boot board though no breather tabs.

[rich@minispares.com]

was the rh side boot board bracket not mounted more towards the middle in a factory twin tank car as well???

[Pete]

Yep.

[rich@minispares.com]

Yep.

unleash the brocade anorak....................

[Romag]

Glen I'd say someone fitted the RH tank later in the cars life. Do you have a Heritage cert for the car it will tell you if the car came from the factory with a RH tank.

I've tried to get the certificate, but their online payment system doesn't seems to work... I'll have to try later.

Any way, many thanks for your fast and numerous answers, it does really help.

The thing is, I have the correct original smal boot board. If I had done the conversion at the time myself, I would have cut the big boot board.

Also, the tank was secured by a strap, with a BMC sticker and part number, I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow.

My theory is: This car is a December '65 1275 S, but the first registration date is Ferbruary '66. I think that it was originally with a single tank, but as it has been sold in '66, the customer asked to have a '66 car, with twin tanks. Also, it has small door handles, but with safety bosses These features make me think everything's been done at the dealer.

Thanks for your advices, this forum is a treasure!

Cheers

Glen

[Spider]

It also looks like the support bracket under the tank is missing. I doubt it was dealer fitted and I seriously doubt it was factory fitted.

[minimalc848]

I've just stripped a 65 shell and more or less have the same queries. The filler hole appears factory cut and the bottom support welded in. Does anyone have dimensions where the board supports should be to check where these are fixed.
Also noted the other day that M Machine sell higher board supports for wider wheels. Were these factory fitted as the car came with 4 1/2's but shell is not the original.

Malcolm

[mk1coopers]

As far as I know the cars all left the factory with 145 section tyres, on a 4.5 rim there's no need for the high boot boot supports, they have been made to give the correct look when having a 4.5 / 5 inch spare that's fitted with a 165 tyre

[evonaut]

i've just had a good look at some photos of an original unmolested twin tanked mk2 s's, compared to my originally a cooper period upgrade to cooper s, and I can confirm that the boot board brackets are in exactly the same position on both. despite John Parnell suggesting otherwise on page 22.

the ones on the seat back are not handed and therefore asymmetrically located with a cut-out across a stiffening ridge. the ones located along the boot lid edge are set out with the RH one in line with the RH hinge, and the LH one set in from the LH hinge.

picture of mine attached........ won't attach the picture of the proper one as i don't have permission of the owner of the car.......

[steve1071]

There was an article in the MCR mag years back with drawings and spec of the boot boad bracket positions. I seem to recall it was done by the architect chap (think he did the Italian Job recreations after buying the plates). They were definitely different on the Mk1 twin tank cars.

[minimalc848]

Just checked mine, left hand set inside hinge and right hand centred on hinge. Regarding wider wheels, checked with a 5" cosmic, albeit with a flat 145 tyre and this fits under the brackets.

Malcolm