Just a nice period picture
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timmy201
- 1275 Cooper S
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Re: Just a nice period picture
The flywheel housing is also removed on the second from left, so could be related to that or the diff
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iain1967s
- 1275 Cooper S
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Re: Just a nice period picture
I don’t know any details - the photo was posted by Karsten Stelk from his vast archive of original period competition photos.
But to me, it looks too much like a production line to be part of BMC Competitions. More likely is a smaller line dedicated for customer S power unit assembly at Morris Engines in Courthouse Green, Coventry ?
It would make sense for the high volume main line 848 etc engine production to be assembled and painted together as they are all identical in specification. But as the Cooper S units had so many optional gear set and diff FD ratios it would not surprise me if the engine and gearbox units were each built up separately and then assembled to order on a low volume dedicated line such as this.
A few observations:
The block and head look to have been painted already before the ancillaries were fitted, there are unpainted areas below the thermostat near the bypass hose, and the rough masking of the manifold ports shows some overspray, so it does look to me like the head and block were pre-painted together at the same time.
As to what the workers are doing:
The left most unit hasn’t had the water pump or ignition coil fitted yet, the coil is waiting in the parts bin next to the line, but the oil filler cap, spark plugs and other ‘unpainted’ parts are already fitted.
The second unit is being attended to with an air gun, looks like maybe the transfer gear housing studs being installed? I don’t think it’s the diff as the driveshaft couplings are already fitted to the output shafts.
Third unit has the housing fitted and clearly shows the water pump is unpainted, don’t know what the worker is focused on though.
The fourth guy looks like he’s fiddling with something at front left such as a heater valve or oil pressure bypass?
Or maybe they were all told to just pose and ‘look busy, lads’ for the photo. Haha.
Interesting that it’s a post-64 photo based on the rally results, but pre-66 due to use of non Hardy Spicer inner driveshaft couplings. Actually, it might be a trick of the light and shadows but to me those look like Quinton Hazel QL5000’s rather than the rubber cross type couplings?
But to me, it looks too much like a production line to be part of BMC Competitions. More likely is a smaller line dedicated for customer S power unit assembly at Morris Engines in Courthouse Green, Coventry ?
It would make sense for the high volume main line 848 etc engine production to be assembled and painted together as they are all identical in specification. But as the Cooper S units had so many optional gear set and diff FD ratios it would not surprise me if the engine and gearbox units were each built up separately and then assembled to order on a low volume dedicated line such as this.
A few observations:
The block and head look to have been painted already before the ancillaries were fitted, there are unpainted areas below the thermostat near the bypass hose, and the rough masking of the manifold ports shows some overspray, so it does look to me like the head and block were pre-painted together at the same time.
As to what the workers are doing:
The left most unit hasn’t had the water pump or ignition coil fitted yet, the coil is waiting in the parts bin next to the line, but the oil filler cap, spark plugs and other ‘unpainted’ parts are already fitted.
The second unit is being attended to with an air gun, looks like maybe the transfer gear housing studs being installed? I don’t think it’s the diff as the driveshaft couplings are already fitted to the output shafts.
Third unit has the housing fitted and clearly shows the water pump is unpainted, don’t know what the worker is focused on though.
The fourth guy looks like he’s fiddling with something at front left such as a heater valve or oil pressure bypass?
Or maybe they were all told to just pose and ‘look busy, lads’ for the photo. Haha.
Interesting that it’s a post-64 photo based on the rally results, but pre-66 due to use of non Hardy Spicer inner driveshaft couplings. Actually, it might be a trick of the light and shadows but to me those look like Quinton Hazel QL5000’s rather than the rubber cross type couplings?
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iain1967s
- 1275 Cooper S
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Re: Just a nice period picture
From https://gloucestershirepolicearchives.o ... -gallery-2
“Concorde's first landing at Royal Air Force Fairford 9th April 1969. A Canberra chase plane and Gloucestershire Constabulary Austin 1800S patrol car are also in the picture.”
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mab01uk
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Re: Just a nice period picture
MCC magazine (1986)
"No thanks! I've just got rid of 150,000 of 'em."
"No thanks! I've just got rid of 150,000 of 'em."
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WMU 211G
- 1275 Cooper S
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Re: Just a nice period picture
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Nidge
1968 Mk2 Morris Cooper
1968 Mk2 Morris Cooper S
1992 Maserati Biturbo 430 2.8 litre V6
2014 Fiat Abarth 595 Anniversario
1968 Mk2 Morris Cooper
1968 Mk2 Morris Cooper S
1992 Maserati Biturbo 430 2.8 litre V6
2014 Fiat Abarth 595 Anniversario
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mk1
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Re: Just a nice period picture
Feeling a bit worn out, always good to find a comfy place to kip.
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Old English White
- 1275 Cooper S
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UHR850
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Re: Just a nice period picture
After a bottle of Krueger champainOld English White wrote: ↑Wed May 03, 2023 1:54 pm A young Daniel Richmond after a busy lunchtime out??
DOWNTON Mini is what I like a lot.
Collecting 60th wooden steeringwheels.
Collecting 60th wooden steeringwheels.
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MiNiKiN
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Re: Just a nice period picture
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Yes I am a nerd: I am researching the Austrian Mini-racing scene of the 60s and 70s 
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WMU 211G
- 1275 Cooper S
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Re: Just a nice period picture
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Nidge
1968 Mk2 Morris Cooper
1968 Mk2 Morris Cooper S
1992 Maserati Biturbo 430 2.8 litre V6
2014 Fiat Abarth 595 Anniversario
1968 Mk2 Morris Cooper
1968 Mk2 Morris Cooper S
1992 Maserati Biturbo 430 2.8 litre V6
2014 Fiat Abarth 595 Anniversario
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InnoCooperExport
- 998 Cooper
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Re: Just a nice period picture
IIRC 15-EX-95 over there used to belong to Mr UHR850 of this parish.
Of course I know what a dipstick is, you get called something often enough you look it up!
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UHR850
- 1275 Cooper S
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Re: Just a nice period picture
Yes that's right it was mine, almost the best Mini I ever had.InnoCooperExport wrote: ↑Mon May 08, 2023 3:01 pm IIRC 15-EX-95 over there used to belong to Mr UHR850 of this parish.
Kees
DOWNTON Mini is what I like a lot.
Collecting 60th wooden steeringwheels.
Collecting 60th wooden steeringwheels.