mk1-forum.net

How can identify an original mk1 Austin cooper grill vs. Repop thanks

the original will have the slats numbered on the side facing the car, I also believe the reproduction ones have the slats pop riveted instead of normal rivets

Lightly scratch the back of one of the slats original grilles are made of brass and chromed repros are either made of steel which a magnet will stick to or aluminium which should be fairly obvious due to the fact you can,t chrome ally so lacks chrome shine and easy to mark.

I found a Morris Cooper grill back in the mid 90ies, it was found in a locked Van, inside a scrapyard.

The Van had been there for atleast 10-12 years, and came to light when the place was cleared.

This grill has alloy slats, and the 2 narrow center support bars are also alloy, but the sides are metal (no air intake)

So was there already a repro version availeble in the 80ies ?


Jens Christian

Yes!...........I certainly bought one in the 80s. (1984-ish)

2ramp3 wrote:Lightly scratch the back of one of the slats original grilles are made of brass and chromed repros are either made of steel which a magnet will stick to or aluminium which should be fairly obvious due to the fact you can,t chrome ally so lacks chrome shine and easy to mark.

Austin Cooper grills have always been alloy, so the above will only apply to Morris Cooper grills

Yup only Morris grilles were chrome on brass, though some were definately ali (overseas market ?). I remember having this conversation years ago with John Kelly because we'd both found original Morris grilles in ali which we presumed (at the time) couldn't be right, Austins always were as pointed out above.

masnarda wrote:the original will have the slats numbered on the side facing the car,

as do the modern ones

Pete wrote:
though some were definately ali (overseas market ?).

I remember having this conversation years ago with John Kelly because we'd both found original Morris grilles in ali which we presumed (at the time) couldn't be right

Thanks that makes more sence. I have been looking on other Morris grills, and from what I have seen its the 2 center support "pins" in alloy thats the difference.

On repro grills are these steel, and on the original they are alloy.

I know the pictures aren't the best quality but I think you get the impression of an original one. Slats are numbered on the left hand side.

masnarda wrote:
I know the pictures aren't the best quality but I think you get the impression of an original one.

That is the same alloy center bars, as the Morris I have.

Jens, the upright stiffeners on this grill are steel and are painted grey

I still have the original Morris cooper grill off my first car (66) and the centre stiffeners are steel.

I know this as they are now one and a half stiffeners due to rust