1966 Morris Cooper (998) restoration

[minime998]

Hi All,

As my 1968 Mk2 Austin Cooper (998) is pretty much finished and on the road my attention is now turning to my 1966 Mk1 Morris Cooper (998) that I bought in August last year. Its been sat in a container since, waiting for work to start while I finished off my Mk2.

Well here she is as I got her. She was built in March 1966 is Tweed Grey & Old English White roof with Dove Grey & Dark Grey interior. The only factory extra is a Fresh air heater. I don't have much history on the car and it looks like it has had a very rough all over spray in grey and its interior cards sprayed black. I can see the original colour of the cars body and roof under the flaking spray over and the door cards have the original colour on the sides that weren't exposed. It also has eyes for a racing harness, although there are no signs of a roll cage. I suspect it may have been raced in its past but have nothing to back this up apart from guessing why the crude paintwork and the harness mount points. It also has a key in the O/S rear quarter which I have never seen on a car before. It also has lots of switches for aftermarket accessories.

I'm trying to find out if she did have any racing background as I would love to build her in a 'race style' although completely original so at best would be cage, seat/harness and stickers.

The engine/gearbox look to have been rebuilt (+20 pistons) although I'm guessing this was some time ago looking as the surface rust on the faces. The shell is pretty solid on first looks like new sills (one was over sill!), front floor pans, A panels and rear valance/bottom rear. I will know more after its been to a blaster. Thank fully I have boxes and boxes of bits, trims, etc so is mostly complete.

Any opinions, suggestions, etc are welcome.

Shell












Inside
















The mystery rear quarter key - Any ideas?






Engine - Will it need to be re-skimmed?






Alarm - I found this buried under dirt and mess in the battery box. I managed to find the original alarm immobiliser on eBay so bought it to add back on!

[gs.davies]

The quarter panel key would have been for the alarm. Used to see loads of cars with those on years ago.

[mk1]

That looks like a really great basis for a project. Doesn't even look that rotten. Not saying it will be an easy project, but probably a lot more straight forward than some. A racer style would be great.

[Costafortune]

The block just needs the head studs removing and ten minutes with some 240 grit wet and dry with WD40.

[Peter Laidler]

Loooks like a great project to me. I am about to embark on something similar....., a 998 H reg Cooper. I just hope that the body is as good as yours. Good luck

[Old English White]

That looks a cracking little car for a project I look forward to some photos of your progress. Great little cars the 998 Coopers.