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On with the build then.


Some much needed items. The new brake hard line and fuel hard line.




Fixing threads as we go.




Some new hi-los, knuckle joints, shocks and the rubber cones from the front sub-frame that has done less than 2000kms.

New steering rack and hard lines fitted.



Front sub-frame now fully rebuilt with new cones and hi-los.



Next few items that need TLC.


All done and fitted to the car.

Pedal box and steering bracket was next up.



Started to install wiring.


Called it a day once loom was in the boot area.

Have you got the little bump stop thing for the throttle pedal?

https://www.somerfordmini.co.uk/stop-ac ... edal-59-85

Hi AndyPen

I had to steal it from the spare GTS body, but yes, and it is now fitted too.


So yet again on with the build. It has picked up speed somewhat.
The rear lights received some attention next and a good scrub.


One side all done, although I do need the correct shouldered bolts to fit the lenses.


Made a windscreen rubber up and fitted the new screen.


I did find an interesting little bit of info. The rear screen has the date 3 DEC 1965, so IF the item is original to the car, that would mean a 1965 car...


This rear screen fitment was also completed.

Next up the door locks and hinges received a good clean and some new paint as needed. Also fitted the new nylon door buffers.


The door outer handles received some new rubbers too.


I liberated some mk3 onwards C-pillar liners as the car originally had a white vinyl on the right and a black vinyl on the rear, after some careful measuring and fitted the items was fitted with new vinyl and made to work.

Final look was not bad I thought. The 1/4 vents also received new rubbers.




Initially I fitted the 1/4 vent windows that was stripped from the car, but the RH one had been messed with on the frame, so I rediscovered my stash of mk1 1/4 vent windows in my store room and I did some cleaning and repairs and fitted two different items. MUCH better.




Sourced some new lower sliding window channels that is correct as again previously the car had some local sourced channels with no metal strips in them. Fitted the sliding windows, mirror plinths and finally the mirrors.



Next up the hand brake cables was cleaned and fitted along with the complete rear brakes and bias valve etc.


I was told that SA Cooper S cars had chrome hand brake levers, I had a good look around as I know I do have such a item, but could not find it, so settled to recon the original item. Here ready for a new coat of paint.

Cleaned the plates for the cables and connected hand brake items up and adjusted it.



The reconditioned tank and straps was next.


Fuel pump was plumbed back in, just have to change the wiring connecter for the positive. The pump bracket also got the bare metal respray treatment.



Head lining and rear seat got fitted back also.


Sourced some rubber grommets and fitted them where I could.

Started out with these items, not sure IF they are correct, as the removed head lamp bowls was all black and had no indentations, but was still marked LUCAS....


New rubber gaskets and pop rivets later the end result.


I finally found some standard H4 semi-sealed head lights locally after a good search of the local suppliers, I did consider going the LED Jeep 7 inch conversion if all else failed, but in trying to keep the car 60's correct it just did not fit the bill.


The car has some eyes again. Then I called it a day.

Great progress. Makes my day to see it progressing this well.

Hi Peter

Thanks for the kind words as always.

So I had some ups and downs with the build...

Some new incidator lights was next, only problem these was single filament holders.
So got some used double filament items and swapped them over. Built the live wires and installed it all. Put some crimp sleeving on the head light wires etc as I went.


Next I fitted the new light switch and wiper switch and refitted the speedo pod.




Sourced the bracket for holding the brake union and installed the new taller master and front hard lines and a brake pressure switch where it should be NOT on the inside on the pedal. Clutch slave and hose was also re-installed.




Fitted the front drive shaft/hub assemblies back and connected brakes back.
JUST could not resist fitting the wheels and having a proper look...

Had a new battery cable made up, seeing as the item removed from the car was enough to jump start a truck.
I deliberated to fit the starter solenoid with the push button on the engine, seeing as I have the correct bracket and solenoid, but for now I went back to how the setup was.


Some new p-clips and bolts and nuts was also fitted as it should be and again not as it was done previously...


Steering outer column was taken to bare metal and re-painted, fitted back with a drop bracket.


Next up was the boot hinges and gaskets, had to steal some studs from another set of hinges though.


Now unto the ugly... after fitting the boot clips and rubber that I have used loads of times, the gap at the top of the boot was just too much.

I sourced a rubber that can be fitted with the clips that is considerably thinner than the initially used rubber.


Much better.


I started with this number plate light, just to see If I could use it.


Not too sure that the connection is correct, but this is how I did it. Even had the correct 4Watt bulbs to fit.


And again fitted the rear lenses with one screw each as I must source the correct items still.
Called it a day at this point.

Started with the modified bonnet stay.


Removed the correct bracket from a spare bonnet, and welded the part that takes the split pin up and fitted it all.


Bled the brakes and clutch, after installing a plastic clutch master.


Marked out, drilled and installed the moutache and front bumper.


Next up I wanted to re-install the engine, but had a new clutch kit on the shelf for yonks, so used it on the flywheel upon installation.

Cleaned the radiator and shrouds. Paint stripped the shrouds as the two items was different colours.


Cleaned the radiator up also.


Painted all the items and re-assembled. Fitted a new radiator fan while I was at it.
Installed engine back and just tightened the engine mounts and called it a day.



Installed the front shocks next.




And then I received a box of goodies for the interior....

Removed the rear screen again, so that I could put some vinyl directly under the window above the parcel shelf.


Then fitted the new parcel shelf cover. Wheel arch liners was next in line.




Sourced some sound deadening material and installed it next.




One side all done.

Rinse and repeat for the front.


Now here I ran into a slight problem, due to how my mirrors is fitted with bolts and nuts, the door card could not go into the door high enough to clear the top of the drain plate....



Installed new drain tubing and door fillets.


Supplied vinyl for the bottom dash was next up.


End result, I dragged out the chrome strip for the dash, but need the 6 clips to fit it properly.

Started with this binnacle that had a hole cut for a rev counter and is for a later car.


Since the back plate of the speedo will give the strength to hold the gauges in place I just wanted to make the hole smaller to cover with some vinyl.
I used some epoxy.




Ready to be covered.


Installed and done.

Started with this lot...


Carbs fitted back and ready to rock and roll.


Fabricated a bracket to move the fuel hard line away from the float bowl, copied it from the same bracket on the GTS.



Tested the lights. Fitted the number plates and holders. Adjusted the hi-los etc next. Modified the hooter bracket to fit where it should be fitted.



Fitted the seat belts back and took the car to have the wheel alignment done. Car ran great....

Hard time consuming work but so worth it when it is all worthwhile.
Brilliant updates
Thank you.