1968 MK2 Cooper

stratmankev · Post by **stratmankev** » Wed Mar 16, 2016 3:35 pm

After looking for a mini Cooper for many months we finally found this car as a result of a wanted ad on this forum thanks to Bart and Ollie in Holland. This as you can see is a UK registered RHD car that somehow ended up in Holland where it was stored for a long time. The mini was delivered by Bart about sept/oct 2014 and progress has been slow but steady since. Over the next few weeks and months I will try to upload some more pictures of the strip down and build. We have had many problems along the way as the photos later will show, this is our first Mini and thanks for all of the help we have received from members along the way.

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stratmankev · Post by **stratmankev** » Wed Mar 16, 2016 4:29 pm

The strip down and extent of the work needed begins to unfold!

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Post by **snoopy64** » Wed Mar 16, 2016 4:32 pm

I know that feeling... Hang in there it gets worse before it gets better but it's worth it!!

stratmankev · Post by **stratmankev** » Wed Mar 16, 2016 4:34 pm

Previous patch work repairs

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Post by **rich@minispares.com** » Wed Mar 16, 2016 5:12 pm

why use one large piece of steel when you can use all those little offcuts that are littering the floor of the garage.....

Post by **snoopy64** » Wed Mar 16, 2016 5:28 pm

Wow! That's alomost identical to the parcheork kilt i found on mine after shotblasting!,!

Were the inner wings the same ?

Post by **Daz1968** » Wed Mar 16, 2016 11:41 pm

Plenty of work ahead, but at least panels are available, looks like you will end up replacing a large percentage of the shell, I have been doing same on my mk2 cooper but once the floors in it really starts to fall together. Will be worth it

stratmankev · Post by **stratmankev** » Tue Mar 22, 2016 9:04 am

we have had the ugly now the good and bad!
The good is the engine did run.

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And the bad, is the rear sub and all of the hydro components are completely shot!

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Post by **UHR850** » Tue Mar 22, 2016 11:09 am

Ready for the IMM in Belgum ?
Goodluck and enjoy the restoration !

Groet,
Kees.

mk1 · Post by **mk1** » Tue Mar 22, 2016 11:14 am

Your car looks liek a text book example of how people used to find project Mini Coopers. It is in it's own way a bit of a time warp car!

It does however look like a fantastic basis for a restoration.

Good luck

stratmankev · Post by **stratmankev** » Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:44 am

Thanks for the encouraging words, the restoration is well under way and i will be loading some more photos over the next few weeks, Ive been asked when it will be finished which is very difficult to answer as its been a labour of love with no real shedule in mind.
Thanks Kevin.

mk1 · Post by **mk1** » Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:21 am

Ive been asked when it will be finished which is very difficult to answer as its been a labour of love with no real shedule in mind.

The most common question of any restoration & the best answer!

BRI MK1 · Post by **BRI MK1** » Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:51 am

i sent you a pm about subframes Brian.

stratmankev · Post by **stratmankev** » Wed Mar 23, 2016 6:02 pm

Shell braced and frame built ready for work on the floor, first layer of floor cut out to reveal original floor! I guess the cost of repair in the 80's was more than the car was worth? hence the bodged repairs!

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stratmankev · Post by **stratmankev** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 9:58 am

I wish i had taken more photo's! But anyway to cut a long story short; the floor, boot floor, rear arches and door steps were beyond repair so it was decided to cut the lot out in one go! A brave move I know but the jig was well made and the shell was thoroughly braced and measured, What could go wrong!!!! A complete floor pan along with the other panels was ordered from M-Machine and work got under way.

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stratmankev · Post by **stratmankev** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 1:49 pm

The floor was a real challenge to fit and get aligned properly but we got there in the end, getting the sills and door steps to fit together was the hardest part, I've been impressed with the service and quality of panels from M-Machine but i must say I've not had a panel yet that hasn't needed fettling to get it to fit!

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java gt · Post by **java gt** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 3:08 pm

I like the idea of hanging the shell off the box section jig.I will be using the same method with my MKI as I have a similar about of panels to replace.I hope to incorporate the subframe fixing points in the jig as well.

stratmankev · Post by **stratmankev** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 5:22 pm

Thanks, it was the only way I could think of doing it, after the floor, boot and rear arches went it we converted the jig so we could roll the body over, I will load some more pictures soon.

stratmankev · Post by **stratmankev** » Sat Apr 16, 2016 2:20 pm

After the floor went in, the boot floor and rear arches were next

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stratmankev · Post by **stratmankev** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 10:57 am

A lot of work but we got there in the end! floor completely replaced and really pleased with how it turned out.

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