mk1-forum.net

Hello Mk1 Experts,

I am restoring a 1966 Mk 1 Austin Cooper S. I want to install the "correct" original Fresh Air Heater Hose.

Does anyone know if all the 1966 Cooper S models came with the "reduced diameter" fresh air heater hose and the reducing adaptors ? If not, when was the change over made ?

My car was built Feb. 3, 1966

Thanks,

Jim

I can't offer any answers for you but on my 61 morris mini delux, came with a bigger diameter from the inlet, to the bottom of the fan motor, then a smaller diameter out the top, then into the cab.

According to John Parnell's book, the reducer-tube was introduced in April 1966, so your car would have been a bit too early for this set-up. It would have had a very short tube with a grille which finished at, and was screwed in place with a bracket upon, the bulk-head/inner-wing webbing by the control box.

Garry.

I thought the smaller pipe was to obtain clear on cars fitted with a servo.

I thought the smaller pipe was to obtain clear on cars fitted with a servo.

It was.

I was under the impression that all Cooper S's up until April 66 had the large elephants trunk fitted, I have never seen a standard S with an air intake that finished on the bulkhead.

M

I believe I am right in saying the large trunking was phased out in late '64 and replaced by the short trunk.
My September '65-built car has the short trunk, 'MEG', Pete's old Surf Blue 'S', 50 body numbers from my car has the short trunk (both quite original cars), and I have seen others. This short trunk topic was featured in MCR's Cooper World by Simon Wheatcroft about a year ago. Most restored cars of this period I have seen have incorrectly, in my opinion, either been fitted with the long trunk or a reducer tube.

Garry.

Cheers Gary,

As they say, it's good to learn something new every day. I did not know about it, but it certainly makes sense.

M

My 4th Dec 64 's' had the long trunk.

My december -65S has the long trunk.
Sweden spec car if that make a difference.

Reinert

Hi,
my Cooper S has a short trunk and was build 30. April 65.
Build in UK an delivered to Switzerland.

so long
the doc

Wow, this is a gripping thread!

Just gone back through my 'CooperWorlds'. This topic is covered in both January and February 2012, by Simon Wheatcroft. According to parts book AKD 3510 there was a change of air-intake tube from C-A2S7-552243 and K-A2s4-663170, 24th September 64. Part number of the short tube air-intake is 24A 1880, which is identical to the one fitted to the front-panel of Minis with the long trunking except it does not have the spot-weld tabs.

With Minis, or I should say BMC, there are always exceptions to the rule I guess.

Garry.

Garry....... Do you have a picture of the short tube with the grille fitted in it, I would be interested to see how it was secured to the body.

Hi Ian,

I can take one and send you. Maybe tomorrow. It was secured to the 'gusset' by I believe the same bracket/strap as used on the long-tube cars. This was painted black and very soon went rusty (if you want the authentic look!). The air-intake is fitted to the end of the short-tube which is held there by the bracket going round it, then screwed in place.

Garry

Here's one I found which shows a circular flat clip, much like later Minis have under the wing, but the grille is missing.

FCV.66 wrote: Pete's old Surf Blue 'S', 50 body numbers from my car has the short trunk (both quite original cars), and I have seen others.

My old September '65 S



Early '66 S



I've had about half a dozen '65 S's and most had this arrangement, others had it missing / removed though. Mark, the slide pics of your ('65) Speedwell car has this arrangement also, as did Will's Almond Green Speedwell '65 car. Im sure Simon will know when in '66 it changed to reduced diameter long trunking.

Does anyone have a pic of this short trunk as I strongly suspect that my Jan 66 S should have one.

M

Hi Iain,

Is Pete's photo OK or do you want me to take another from a particular angle?

Garry.

mk1 wrote:Does anyone have a pic of this short trunk as I strongly suspect that my Jan 66 S should have one.

M

Yours did have one Mark if you look at the Speedwell slides.

I had a look & hadn't managed to come to a firm conclusion. Now I know what I'm looking for you are indeed right & it did have one.

M

I suspect they had to change it to a long hose, as a hot and stinky 1275s would simply huff all its oil fumes straight into the short hose and into the car.

I bet after a while the heater would be spewing oil fume tainted hot air direct onto the windscreen!