MkII Cooper Restoration

[ruadh08]

Great restoration work! Car almost identical to my fathers Cooper, FES 732D, which I learnt to drive when I was 10! Same colour scheme! Great wee car!

[jen]

Oh Robin, that's such a beautiful car! I'm not really into old mini's. I appreciate them but they're not really a car Id buy for myself to drive about in. I think it's because most are falling to pieces now and Id worry the seat would fall through the floor!

However, I'd drive that one! Soooo lovely!! Well Done!!

[campbell]

Absolutely first class, Robin. I can't imagine the hours that you have put into this.

Can you work the same magic with S1 Elises?!

[111Robin]

Absolutely first class, Robin. I can't imagine the hours that you have put into this.

Can you work the same magic with S1 Elises?!

Don't tempt me Campbell (my own S1 will no doubt receive the treatment at some point). Have actually a couple of lesser projects to be getting on with now for my old man. A '69 Triumph 1300 that needs mechanical work and a Mk1Golf that just needs "brought back to life" after many years of rest. These will keep me out of trouble for a few months then I can start planning the next big one.

[campbell]

[The_Rossatron]

Awesome work. Looks great!

If you need another project you are welcome to restore my Mini

[H8OAG]

Very Nice.............I see you've resisted the twin tank look.
I had a heavily modified 1969 mk II many moons ago
The previous owner was an engine builder of some repute and he christened it "The Vicar"
It looked like sh*t in a beige colour and only the afficionados would notice the subtle S rims and straight through exhaust.
It had however a blueprinted 998 lump all lightened and balanced with 649 CAM, twin 1.5 SU, tuftrided crank,LCB manifold etc etc and some fancy final drive that made it smart off the line.
Father G had it next...................rallied it......................rolled it

[Shug]

I loved my Mk1 Woody - but the lack of garage made it suicide (for the car) to keep it. Probably kept a hold longer than I should have, the next owner did inherit some rot starting...

Once I have garage space, I'm convinced I want to get a Mk1 Cooper, but they've got to silly money for good ones now. Appreciate the Mk2 is better in almost every way, but there's something about the 1...

That's a bloody lovely resto job though and I hope you get a lot of fun out of it - can't really fail to get fun out of a Mini

[111Robin]

I loved my Mk1 Woody - but the lack of garage made it suicide (for the car) to keep it. Probably kept a hold longer than I should have, the next owner did inherit some rot starting...

Once I have garage space, I'm convinced I want to get a Mk1 Cooper, but they've got to silly money for good ones now. Appreciate the Mk2 is better in almost every way, but there's something about the 1...

That's a bloody lovely resto job though and I hope you get a lot of fun out of it - can't really fail to get fun out of a Mini

A Mk1 would be nice Shug but as you say it's silly money these days especially if you go for an "S". When I bought this one (22 years ago now) I was just out of uni and in my first job so cash was limited plus the resources for finding cars were limited unlike nowadays with the web. Found mine in the Dundee Courier, chances of finding another Cooper of any sort locally were slim so I had to have it. Any Mini is worth having though so a bog standard Mk1 850 would be just as nice to own. A pickup is next on my list, or a van, I love the stripped out utilitarian feel of these. Unfortunately these are also commanding stupid money these days unless I go for a full resto again (never say never!!).

[Shug]

I loved my Mk1 Woody - but the lack of garage made it suicide (for the car) to keep it. Probably kept a hold longer than I should have, the next owner did inherit some rot starting...

Once I have garage space, I'm convinced I want to get a Mk1 Cooper, but they've got to silly money for good ones now. Appreciate the Mk2 is better in almost every way, but there's something about the 1...

That's a bloody lovely resto job though and I hope you get a lot of fun out of it - can't really fail to get fun out of a Mini

A Mk1 would be nice Shug but as you say it's silly money these days especially if you go for an "S". When I bought this one (22 years ago now) I was just out of uni and in my first job so cash was limited plus the resources for finding cars were limited unlike nowadays with the web. Found mine in the Dundee Courier, chances of finding another Cooper of any sort locally were slim so I had to have it. Any Mini is worth having though so a bog standard Mk1 850 would be just as nice to own. A pickup is next on my list, or a van, I love the stripped out utilitarian feel of these. Unfortunately these are also commanding stupid money these days unless I go for a full resto again (never say never!!).

Wee mental wander down memory lane - in case someone on here hasn't seen them. Regret selling it, but it was starting to get to the point of no return, so sold it to a restorer. 850 bog standard, as you say, great fun. Nowhere near as nice and clean as yours though.







/sorry for the slight hijack.

[111Robin]

Shame you had to sell it Shug, love the early travellers. Looks pretty original too. Would have certainly given it some garage space if you still had it!!!