Downton 1275 Cooper S
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:24 am
Hi 
I am just about to begin the restoration of my fathers 1965 1275 cooper S which, I have always been told, has a Downton conversion on it, Talking to a chap at the “minis on the prom” tour in Aberystwyth this year I understand that there were 2 main ways of getting the conversion done, 1 was to “mail order” the parts and have them fitted yourself, and the other was for the factory (Downton themselves) to do it. My fathers S has Large heppolite pistons and a big valve head, with a short fresh air intake under the bonnet and an unusual dash board that brings the large 130mph speedo in front of the driver, so I guess it may have been done in the factory. Do you, or do you know of anyone, who could research the records to see if any information about our car exists? The registration is GPL 115C . It was originally owned by a chap in London. (F Colegrave then K Lovesay – Nov ‘65) do these names mean anything to you? The engine is noted as being changed in November ’65 to 8G155RS38752 – which seems odd because the little research I have done suggests it should be something like 9F/SA/Y***** ?? Also, november is the end of the racing season so maybe Franco Colegrave was updating the reg doc to sell the car? It was Tweed grey/White from the factory and then changed to green/white in Oct ‘65 And my dad bought it in 1967 from a main dealer here in Swansea.
Thanks
Simon
I am just about to begin the restoration of my fathers 1965 1275 cooper S which, I have always been told, has a Downton conversion on it, Talking to a chap at the “minis on the prom” tour in Aberystwyth this year I understand that there were 2 main ways of getting the conversion done, 1 was to “mail order” the parts and have them fitted yourself, and the other was for the factory (Downton themselves) to do it. My fathers S has Large heppolite pistons and a big valve head, with a short fresh air intake under the bonnet and an unusual dash board that brings the large 130mph speedo in front of the driver, so I guess it may have been done in the factory. Do you, or do you know of anyone, who could research the records to see if any information about our car exists? The registration is GPL 115C . It was originally owned by a chap in London. (F Colegrave then K Lovesay – Nov ‘65) do these names mean anything to you? The engine is noted as being changed in November ’65 to 8G155RS38752 – which seems odd because the little research I have done suggests it should be something like 9F/SA/Y***** ?? Also, november is the end of the racing season so maybe Franco Colegrave was updating the reg doc to sell the car? It was Tweed grey/White from the factory and then changed to green/white in Oct ‘65 And my dad bought it in 1967 from a main dealer here in Swansea.
Thanks
Simon