mk1-forum.net

update!

engine, head and gearbox casting numbers exposed - ready for rebuild
cox seat frames are fitted pre painting - very crude method!?!
and some sub assemblies ready for subframe mounting. need replacement drums as these don't have the correct spacers on them? they seem to be something in between at 1/2"?
a lot of work this restoration malarky! even just following the professionals, who have been great! Over all, Coopers Garages, engine Allitt Motorsport, and body Md Ltultd (Lukasz is a star)

shell is being prepped for painting now and will hopefully be painted by xmas. engine and gearbox, which will be rebuilt including a set of hardy spicers to replace the rubber joints should also be ready by xmas. all ready for the rebuild to commence in the new year!

following a thread on here from last year or so, i have decided to replace the 731 cam with a non standard swiftune sw5-07 hoping this will provide a more torquey car at lower revs as the car will inevitably be used in london most of the time, curtesy of where i live......

photos attached

.... and some more

Looking good!

close to painting! went for a pre painting, in primer inspection today. shell looks fab. needs sealer, a little bit more filling and a good rub down then ready for spraying first week back after xmas. very exciting!

engine rebuild is also underway and will upload some photos once i have some decent shots to show!

comments / questions welcome as usual.......

engine rebuild progress shots! needed to go +0.040" for the rebore so have leapt to 1310cc.........
new laygear, diff and hardy spicer set up will make the engine a complete s set up, albeit with a later replacement head!
also opted for a new SW5 cam instead of the 731 that was fitted for better drivability in and around london (thank you forum for numerous threads discussing the pros and cons of performance camshafts)

looking forward to having things put back together in the next few months

happy new year!

Should have got the block dipped to get all the rust out of waterways .

Not good for cooling

Nice work so far but please don't fall into the trap of over restoring. I personally like to see a slightly used look on an older car as opposed to a "pebble beach" job.
Don't worry about the history the only all matching numbers mini cooper s survivors were either very lucky or owned by old farts all their life. I think that if an early cooper has not had at least one reshell it has never lived so to speak.
They were cheap bangers and got driven by nuttas far too fast but that was their purpose if you think about it.

mikep wrote:I think that if an early cooper has not had at least one reshell it has never lived so to speak.

I think an early Cooper that has had ANY re-shell is no longer an early Cooper.

My $0.02 anyway...


Btw, Evonaut - nice work! The car is coming along nicely. Don't worry about "overrestoring," there's no such thing (only "underutilized" if you know what I mean..).

mikep wrote:Nice work so far but please don't fall into the trap of over restoring

i do understand where you are coming from with 'over restoring' but i can't build structurally unsound crap back into the car. any original panels and parts that are reusable are going to be reused, after being cleaned up. and the car will certainly be driven, albeit on a limited mileage classic car insurance. my 1500 mile allowance will be used well and truly!

if the car starts its life again in a similar condition to how it left the factory and ages, for the second time, with dignity, then that is good enough for me! the car will never be concours and so will not be a trailer dolly with cling film protection. (as i have recently read about)

inspecting the spray job next tuesday and will post some pics. i hope i don't offend but i've opted for 2 pack paint instead of cellulose......;o)

Highnumbers wrote:

mikep wrote:I think that if an early cooper has not had at least one reshell it has never lived so to speak.

I think an early Cooper that has had ANY re-shell is no longer an early Cooper.

My $0.02 anyway...


Btw, Evonaut - nice work! The car is coming along nicely. Don't worry about "overrestoring," there's no such thing (only "underutilized" if you know what I mean..).

That rules out all 'works' cars, most racers as well as probably 50% of the others!

Nothing wrong with a reshell as long as it was done with a period shell and is not a log book job.
Never forget that years ago not as many mk1 panels were available as are now so repair was often not an option.

You can over restore not by doing a good job as seems to be happening here but getting anal about detail then having a machine that is too precious to drive.

mikep wrote: You can over restore not by doing a good job as seems to be happening here but getting anal about detail then having a machine that is too precious to drive.

thank you. we are doing a good job, indeed. and i can assure you, she will be driven, albeit limited miles on an agreed valuation classic car insurance policy!

latest update....... shell complete and engine well underway!

now to put her back together!

Looking VERY nice indeed.

Thank you Mark. I must say I am pretty damn pleased, and really looking forward to the next couple of months! There are a few question marks over some details but seeing as there is absolutely no definitive guide will just have to use best judgement......Which ever source one chooses to believe there always seems to be conflicting evidence elsewhere. I guess that is what makes each and every mini so unique?

Which ever source one chooses to believe there always seems to be conflicting evidence elsewhere.

Lovely paint!

Should look fantastic!

Looking good! Is ot going to be white all over? Or is it just the colours on my phone? Either way looks fab.

just the colours on your phone - its actually sandy beige and snowberry white!

it does look paler than photos of sandy beige but i have never seen one in the flesh. i'm sure its just the lighting.....

she is back from the body shop! now just to put her back together! engine due back next week too.......

that looks cracking!