austin mini cooper s 1966 USA import

[Pedromintor]

I found this mini on ebay usa . The mini was located in wisconsin Usa. One problem was going to be getting it home to somerset. The mini was 1050 miles from new york docks. A few of you may know the car. Its been in the cooper register magazine. Simon wheatcroft wrote about it. Its been mentioned on this forum so I thought I better give a update. Simon If you want to write more in the magazine your more then welcome.


I watched the auction all week.
I convinced my self on the friday night not to bid on the cooper s and that is was going to be too much hassle.
The auction ended 6am saturday morning uk time. My alarm was set for 7.30am
I woke up and it still looked dark. Checked the time. 5.55am. Thats a good sign right ? I checked the auction. Reserve not met. I deceided to bid. Couldnt belive it 2 secs left and i was still winning.
5000 dollars bought the mini cooper s
Got loads of quotes to get it picked up taken to new york docks and shipping to southampton
May thanks to CFR Rinkens and autobox . They were perfect from start to finish
The cooper s is in its original shell .
had a 1100 engine in it
I have since found a 333 gear box 1275 s block crank rods etc


It took 10 weeks from start to finish to get it home.
It was ready to collect right at start of lock down
Free storage for 7 days after that £10 a day. I had to just go get it. Face mask gloves hand gel off i went .
The roads were quiet. All went well.
I have not been working due to lock down so I have been welding the mk1 cooper s
Its now fully welded. Just needs filler work and paint. Please see pics of progress.
Many thanks

Peter

[Pedromintor]

Pics from the ad and docks

[Pedromintor]

pics of collection

[Pedromintor]

pics of progress

[Pedromintor]

more pics

[Pedromintor]

more pics

[g111mds]

You’ve been busy! Looking forward to following the rest of the build.

One thing I’d really like to do is to buy a car abroad, and have it shipped home. I’d like to collect if though, tour a little, and then deliver to the docks.

[steve1071]

Great to see you've got it back safe and sound and cracked on with it. Another one saved.

['S'-type]

Hi Peter that's pretty impressive progress. I haven't even managed to replace one sill in that time.

I notice your spot welder electrodes are the double bend type. I am trying to source a pair of double bend electrodes in 12 mm external diameter to fit my existing arms. I don't suppose you know of anywhere that stocks them?
Nick

[Pedromintor]

hi nick. I bought my spot welder second hand and it came with the arms already. Have u tried ebay ? thanks
peter

['S'-type]

Yes I have searched fairly extensively. There are some on eBay but the diameter is too large.

I'll try asking in the technical section.

Thanks for replying. Look forward to seeing more of your project.

[Jack of all trades]

https://www.rustbuster.nl/catalogus/pro ... elektroden

Here you go

[trevorhp]

Hi Peter that's pretty impressive progress. I haven't even managed to replace one sill in that time.

I notice your spot welder electrodes are the double bend type. I am trying to source a pair of double bend electrodes in 12 mm external diameter to fit my existing arms. I don't suppose you know of anywhere that stocks them?
Nick

I had the identical problem
Just bought copper rod off ebay and heated it up and bent my own.
Ground the ends to a chamfer and...
Worked perfectly...still going after 2 years
May be a solution for you too.

['S'-type]

Thanks chaps.
My Dutch isn't great but I could give it a go!

You read so much about how they are made of special copper alloys but it sounds like yours work fine Trevor. Thanks for the tip. ( No pun intended)

Either option won't break the bank!

[Pedromintor]

I have been busy . Bare shell to driving down my lane in 3 weeks while still working full time ! I have had some early starts and some late nights !

[Pedromintor]

Still have work to do . Dash vinyl . Few bits I’m not happy with I want to do again . Either buy a newton commercial interior or try to find a original set .

[jay weinstein]

Fantastic....hard to believe it's the same car

[mk1]

Looking fantastic!

[harrymini]

Wow speedy progress

[Highnumbers]

That has to be a record for the fastest overhaul on a Mini ever. Nice work.