Cooper 997 in Colorado

[Cole Liggett]

Here is an introduction to my project...

I bought the 1963 Morris Mini Cooper 997 from Richard Shearer in August of 2017. Richard had been the owner of the car since 1979, he had been racing the Mini with the Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing club in Colorado for the last 25 years. The Mini did have a run in with a water barrel at the Snowmass Colorado street race in the mid 90s and was poorly repaired. My initial plan for the mini was to do a refresh on the motor and keep racing with the club. Unfortunately I found too much rust and a new floor was going to be needed. As I cut into the shell I found more rust, before long it was apparent that I was going to need quite a few more panels than I had anticipated.

I'll share some of the pictures of when I collected the car and some of the photos when I was cutting out the bad panels.

Any advice or wisdom will be greatly appreciated!

Kind Regards,
Cole

[Cole Liggett]

First photo shows the damage from the water barrel. The last photo is from the day I bought the car, that is Richard Shearer standing with the car.

[Cole Liggett]

Photos after some of the metal was removed.

[Cole Liggett]

A few more...

[Cole Liggett]

Update on the history of my Mini -

Through help from Simon on this forum I was able to find the original owners info.

The car was purchased by E.W. Bunce (aka Ted Bunce) in July of 1963 at Hewens Garage Ltd. in High Wycombe. Original reg number was 4461 KX

After doing some searching I was able to track down Ted's brother. I called and spoke with him and found out that Ted was a racing driver in the 60s and 70s. I've found evidence of him racing at Silverstone and Snetterton in a 63 Tornado Talisman and later in a Lotus type 47 (chassis #70). I'll keep trying to track down more info.

[AndyPen]

Looks like you have your hands full there, but a very special car

So great that simon could help like that - what the forum is all about

[Cole Liggett]

I do have my hands full, luckily though I have Nick Upton to help me tackle the body shell. He is the best restorer here in the US.

After learning more of the history of the car it has definitely made me feel better about putting so much time and money into the restoration.

[mk1]

Goodness me! That is a real mountain of panels!

As you say, such an interesting car is well worth the time & effort though.

I look forward to following your progress.

[Dearg1275]

Fantastic, another 997 on its way to living again. What engine was in it and what is going to go back in? Perhaps it’s the photos but it looks somewhat darker than Almond green at the moment. Are you going to stick with original colours?

D

[JC T ONE]

Great car & history

Did you save the plates with body & FE number,s ?

[Cole Liggett]

Fantastic, another 997 on its way to living again. What engine was in it and what is going to go back in? Perhaps it’s the photos but it looks somewhat darker than Almond green at the moment. Are you going to stick with original colours?

D

It had been raced for 15 years with a 1275 power unit. Original 997 was long gone when I purchased the car. Planning to find a correct 997 for it and I will be going back to the almond green and oew for the colors.

Great car & history

Did you save the plates with body & FE number,s ?

The floor was repaired at some point so the original body number was missing. I did save the FE number to attach to the new panels.

[Dearg1275]

Fantastic, another 997 on its way to living again. What engine was in it and what is going to go back in? Perhaps it’s the photos but it looks somewhat darker than Almond green at the moment. Are you going to stick with original colours?

D

It had been raced for 15 years with a 1275 power unit. Original 997 was long gone when I purchased the car. Planning to find a correct 997 for it and I will be going back to the almond green and oew for the colors.

Excellent. A late 997 as yours could use the late block, which is better. Essentially the same as the early 998 but with a smaller bore. I wouldn’t go chasing the 997 disc brakes if it already has the S setup, that’s if you want to stop.

D

[Cole Liggett]

I am on the hunt for a 12A497 block. If anyone in has one available in the states let me know.

[SMOKE GREY]

I am on the hunt for a 12497 block. If anyone in has one available in the states let me know.

There is a 12A497 block, with an original 998 Cooper early engine number, but it's on Facebook. It's in the States and is STD size, $50.

[Cole Liggett]

Thanks for the lead Smokegrey! Purchasing that block as a tentative candidate for sleeving down to 997

[Cole Liggett]

Picked up two sets of hub caps. Hopefully I can make at least 4 of them work, they are pretty rough.

[Cole Liggett]

No big updates- my shell is getting very near the front of the line at the restoration shop so I’ll share progress as we have it.

I did receive my new fan and water pump pulley!

[docka]

[Polarsilver]

Make sure the Fan is positioned onto the water pump the correct way around = rough side of the fan towards the radiator.

[Cole Liggett]

Make sure the Fan is positioned onto the water pump the correct way around = rough side of the fan towards the radiator.

Ah yes. I’ll make note of that for the assembly portion!