Swiss Morris Cooper MKI
Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 10:46 pm
Hi everyone,
It's been now 7 years since the project began, basically it's a 67' MKI Morris Cooper 998cc.
I litterally fell in love with her, as we may say, it was "love at first sight": poor condition, sad looking, but with a good potential.
She was quite complete; but as usual, everything had to be restored.
As I'm still on studies (ending in 5 weeks), the project is progressing slowly.
I'd like to share this project with all of you, because MK1 Forum has been quite a good inspiration.
I hope you enjoy it, and in advance, sorry for my poor english.
Any advice is welcome!
I found her in that condition, and braught her straight to my workshop:
She stood there, staring at me like a sad puppy, in a corner of my workshop for more than 4 years....
She had an accident with a motorbike in 1975, and was showing 76'000km on the clock.
As a sudent, I've begun with things I could afford. Buying spares when I could find.
I had once the possibility to turn her into an "S, a friend of mine had an AEG 312 etc....but it was for me quite a shame to do that. I did'nt wanted to build a "false Cooper S".
This is why I decided to tune her, as a boy of my age ( now 25 years old) in 66' would have tuned it.
Whith good help from MK1 Perfomance Forum, I found quite a few good ideas, and this is where "The hunt" began.
I've always been into "a nice and original MK1", but that was too common for me.
So I decided to take more time to build this project, and to tune her into a Speedwell replica.
(I have to say that I've begun this project before prices were too far gone for me!!!
).
These are a few picture from last summer, when I really took time to begin the hard work:
You can see my Moke in the background (called Mookie), best car ever!
I gathered ( a hell of a lot of) panels since 2 years, so I braught her to the bodyshop.
I've also started a few mechanical repairs
Here Is my secret storage, where I stock every spare I can find
Here are the front and rear subbys, I'm converting her into dry suspension (way too much bored with hydrolastic)
I've tried to find a maximum of original spares, not sure if NOS brake pipes are a good idea....
So, Here is the the center of all my intentions:
Engine spec:
1152cc (based on a 1098cc...)
C249 Cylinder head
Speedwell Camshaft
Lightenend flywheel
Twin H4
Hardy Spicers etc...
I took me more than 4 years just to gather all the spares I needed, for the engine, thanks to my mates!
Have I done a mistake here?!?!??!
Noob....
Now: problem solved:
Engin just needs a paintjob now.
Many thanks to every members who helped with spares and advices, and especially to Mark for his generosity and knowledges.
The car is getting out from the bodyshop in two month, and more pictures will follow.
As said, any advice is welcome
Glen
It's been now 7 years since the project began, basically it's a 67' MKI Morris Cooper 998cc.
I litterally fell in love with her, as we may say, it was "love at first sight": poor condition, sad looking, but with a good potential.
She was quite complete; but as usual, everything had to be restored.
As I'm still on studies (ending in 5 weeks), the project is progressing slowly.
I'd like to share this project with all of you, because MK1 Forum has been quite a good inspiration.
I hope you enjoy it, and in advance, sorry for my poor english.
Any advice is welcome!
I found her in that condition, and braught her straight to my workshop:
She stood there, staring at me like a sad puppy, in a corner of my workshop for more than 4 years....
She had an accident with a motorbike in 1975, and was showing 76'000km on the clock.
As a sudent, I've begun with things I could afford. Buying spares when I could find.
I had once the possibility to turn her into an "S, a friend of mine had an AEG 312 etc....but it was for me quite a shame to do that. I did'nt wanted to build a "false Cooper S".
This is why I decided to tune her, as a boy of my age ( now 25 years old) in 66' would have tuned it.
Whith good help from MK1 Perfomance Forum, I found quite a few good ideas, and this is where "The hunt" began.
I've always been into "a nice and original MK1", but that was too common for me.
So I decided to take more time to build this project, and to tune her into a Speedwell replica.
(I have to say that I've begun this project before prices were too far gone for me!!!
).These are a few picture from last summer, when I really took time to begin the hard work:
You can see my Moke in the background (called Mookie), best car ever!
I gathered ( a hell of a lot of) panels since 2 years, so I braught her to the bodyshop.
I've also started a few mechanical repairs
Here Is my secret storage, where I stock every spare I can find
Here are the front and rear subbys, I'm converting her into dry suspension (way too much bored with hydrolastic)
I've tried to find a maximum of original spares, not sure if NOS brake pipes are a good idea....
So, Here is the the center of all my intentions:
Engine spec:
1152cc (based on a 1098cc...)
C249 Cylinder head
Speedwell Camshaft
Lightenend flywheel
Twin H4
Hardy Spicers etc...
I took me more than 4 years just to gather all the spares I needed, for the engine, thanks to my mates!
Have I done a mistake here?!?!??!
Noob....
Now: problem solved:
Engin just needs a paintjob now.
Many thanks to every members who helped with spares and advices, and especially to Mark for his generosity and knowledges.
The car is getting out from the bodyshop in two month, and more pictures will follow.
As said, any advice is welcome
Glen
I loved it!!
love the original spot welds, under the rear lights, and the rustfree boot floor.
That should be enough, you've got the bug pretty bad! 
