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Ok... so I guess you can't search for "your" Holly Grail! You kind of have to wait for it to come to you.
Don't get too distracted though.
I am so excited about my new car that I just have to share. Sure some of you will enjoy this.

Just last Sunday I bought and imediatly brought home the car you see below. An unrestored, lightly customised, Downton converted from new, 1962 Morris Cooper.

On top of that it was owned from new by a very important, influential and wealthy gentleman in Portugal, that was also responsable for selling Morris cars in Portugal since the '20s. António Medeiros e Almeida. The car was kept in garages and barns since his death in the 80's.

In the next weeks I will be cleaning the car, servicing it, bringing it back to as good as it can be, without actually restoring anything. Will sure keep posting detail photos. The seller had some servicing done before selling to get it drivable, but all parts removed were kept. And it drives absolutly beautifull.

It was originally smoke grey (still haven't aplied for the BMIHT certificate, but will soon).
The Downton conversion was instaled when new, in late 1962, it was also sprayed a darker shade of monotone blue, had bigger sunvisors made, door pockets and rear pockets upholstered and there's also sound insulation everywhere.

At a point 3,5" Cooper S wheels have also been added. As well as a brake servo, in the wheel well.
This missing (on the photos) heater blower is present, but is slightly cracked at the mounting point and will need some repairing.

Enjoy.

Some more

some more...

That is a bit special, isn't it! is it the one with just the poor under bonnet shot that was advertised the other week?

What's going on with the rocker cover though? a blocked up additional filler neck? a big breather?

Enjoy it.

Al

is it the one with just the poor under bonnet shot that was advertised the other week?

That's the one.
I was expecting it to be some kind of scam, but boy was it a real one.

The neck is a big breather! You will see it on UHR850 too.

Don't ever restore that!!!!!


Patina to die for!!!!


That is fantastic. What a buy!!!!!!

rich@minispares.com wrote:Don't ever restore that!!!!!


Patina to die for!!!!


That is fantastic. What a buy!!!!!!

As above!

Thanks for the comments guys.

Don't ever restore that!!!!!

I have no intention to! But maybe some small improovements can be made. Of course everyone will have their opinion on where to stop... and that's the hard bit.
The way I see it I have to straighten the front panel, behind the license plate, thats bent inwards.
Don't know about the wheels though... they have some knocks on them. As I will be changing the tyres I'm kind of undecided if I should have them resprayed.

Wing mirror... don't know about that either. Looks kind of 70's to me.

and a couple more...

Very nice and good to know there are still some genuine people out there amongst the story tellers.

That car is truly a once in a lifetime find & it shows everything a genuine car should, not some spammed up log book job that so many people seem to crave for nowadays.

Mario was kind enough to send me some pics a couple of days ago & it really is as genuine & original as it looks. I can only think of a couple of Downton cars that have a similar history or provenance.

I am so pleased that this one is going to receive the absolute minimum of restoration & is just going to be enjoyed as what it is, a perfect "Time Warp" classic.

It still has a few more very unique features that people will be fascinated by!

Watch this space.

Want a find and what originality.

Congrats Mario - what a find!

What's the story with the lock/keyhole on the A-panel? I've never seen that before.

Thanks!

What's the story with the lock/keyhole on the A-panel? I've never seen that before

It's an alarm!
there are switches on every opening. Doors, boot, bonnet.
Not working though... will get to it. I guess it would just sound the horn...

Oh wow! That is a first...never seen an alarm on a car this old. Ironic, because a Mk1 Mini surely has to be one of the least "secure" vehicles ever made?

In any case, wonderful find there. I love the general patina of the car, especially the interior.

What a fantastic once in a lifetime find! Simply stunning! Original, honest and interesting. Well done and enjoy!

Tim

Mário, great find ! What a cracking car!

Also glad it stayed in Portugal.

"Espectáculo"!

Moita

Totally agree, what a stunning little charmer of a find.

Green is the colour of envy.....It's also the colour of my face right now!

What a stunner! Enjoy!

Fantastic find, well done