mk1-forum.net

I currently have a decent Mk 2 shell and the remains of a very dilapidated 1965 Mk 1 Cooper rescued from a grab lorry many moons ago. I would like to reshell the Cooper and wondered what the differences are between the 2 shells eg larger rear window aperture. I prefer the look of the Mk 1 shell and whilst I am going to the trouble of panelling it up if its not too much effort I will change the appropriate bits to make it look more authentic. I am not bothered about purists burning me at the stake etc etc. Its purely for my enjoyment and the fact that I have enough of the bits around me to make a decent car.
Cheers. Mark

Rear window, rear lights, rear quarter windows. At the risk of getting flamed all the other differences are superficial.

Change those bits and anyone would have to hunt to spot what you have done.

M.

Sacrilidge, burn that man at the stake....

Thanks Mark

I find it bloody difficult to remove the wiper gearboxes from my 64. I'm sure the header panel is different.

It would be quite a worthwhile exercise to do a timeline chart with the shell detail changes for Mk1/2/3.
The tefal heads could blind us all with their info,as long as they were willing to 'share the knowledge' !!
I could start by listing some '59 features,I'm not sure when they were deleted so any '59'ers out there
please add the dates :-

No bulkhead hole for air intake hose
No recesses for front and back windscreen
Larger depressions in front footwells
Flat outer sills
Single thickness A-panels
Square drainhole at sides of doors
Little raised dimples/pyramids on front panel
Different front seat mounts that are welded to crossmember
Starter button housing is a separate panel/different shape
Front floorpan fitted underneath toe board
No roof gutter drip rail
Small drilled holes in roof gutter
Bonnet prop 'stay' vertical instead of horizontal

Other Mk1 detail differences I can think of

Hydro pipe clips (Sep 64)
Seat belt mount position on B post (high -> June '63)
3 different designs of sunvisor (1. single central hinge 2. pivotting corner type 3.Later crushable with pivot each end) 1. -> Sept '64 2. -> Dec '65
Captive nuts spotwelded to front bulkhead for later plastic binnacle (Late '66)
Later front panel gets cutouts at bottom corners for better brake cooling (May-July 64)
Bootlid changed to double skin type (Dec '66)
Nipple shrouds (ooeer) deleted (?)
Piano hinge rear 1/4 window frames changed to 2-loop hinges and stainless frame (less holes for hinges in shell)(Aug '67)
Safety boss added to door handles (Jan '66)

Thank God for the Parnell Bible !!

bottom dash rail also different on mk2