Description
Rare opportunity to own this 1275 mk1 cooper s made and registered in early 1965 C reg. Finished in Almond Green/ Old English White. This car has had full nut and bolt rebuild in 2012/ 13 since then it has been stored and not driven since.
In 2011 I stumbled by chance across this classic car locked away in a dry workshop since 1984, It was fully disassembled and stored in boxes but as it panned out 90% complete. The gentleman I purchased it from was the 2nd owner and had been since 1972, sadly he had come to the conclusion that he would never finish the car this was compounded by a near future house move. After the purchase it was taken home and then stored for another year whilst I decided on the way forward. The idea was always to keep as much as the original car as possible, so as you can see some parts such as the old bumpers < front 5 bolt > have been clean and put on so to the seats yes original. All the numbers match the v5c and is backed up by its heritage certificate. This mk1 Morris cooper S stands out from the others around as it left the factory pre 1966, at this time twin tanks and front oil cooler were optional and the first owner opted not to go for the extras available. This again is confirmed by the heritage certificate. Making this car rarer still is the dry suspension upon it sits, only around 300 1275cc cars left the factory with dry suspension, nearly all had the hydro units fitted. The registration itself is very nice to, take a look.
CHR-charlie
3x numbers Charlie Crocker Italian job, CHR—0C
c- crocker
Bodywork and Shell
The body was in good shape for its age and no new panels were used in the rebuild. The shell was sent to the body shop for a full paintjob, inside and out. It has been fully under sealed and correctly seam sealed then painted all over inside and out in its original colour. The floors are original and not a modern reproduction. Mk1 minis nowadays have had most panels replaced to make them perfect; to me this takes away the cars patina, so a sympatric rebuild is what this car has had. In the boxes the car came in were lots of new old stock parts, these were items such as rear lights, front indicators badges suspension parts brake parts etc all these items have been fitted, unfortunately the grill was missing so a new one from somerford minis was purchased and fitted.
Engine and Gearbox
Amazingly the engine and box although in pieces was there in the boxes and original, the block is correct 312 thin flange and box is correct 3 syncro 333. The full unit has undergone a full rebuild including the twin su carbs. The block is at plus. 040 and the correct 480 en40b crank is at . 20/. 20, thrusts are standard. The rods are the 177 type obviously the pistons and rings are new to suit the bore. The gearbox has had a full rebuild kit installed, the gears are correct close ration version. This unit has done very few miles since the build.
Suspension and Brakes
Upon inspection I decided that the rear sub frame was not going to do the mini the justice it deserved so a new unit was purchased and along with the front these were sent for powder coating, along with other items such as under bonnet brackets, brake shields and back plates, top arms bottom arms tie bar radius arms etc. All nuts and bolts have been renewed mainly for stainless so not to corrode in time. All serviceable items were replace most were new old stock. Items such as. Ball joints, cvs inner and outer, wheel bearings front and rear, cv boots track rod ends, steering gaiters, rubber do nuts, rubber bushes front and rear these are from somerfords, brake callipers were reconditioned and installed with discs and pads along with new brake lines/ pipes front to rear, rear brakes are all new. Both master cylinders are new old stock genuine items.
Interior
The seats and door cards are original and came with the car, There porcelain green and dove grey like on the heritage certificate. These have been cleaned as 30 years in a workshop made them dirty. The cigarette burns have been left to preserve the cars history. Carpets are new from newton commercial as the old one had been used as mouse beds for some time, steering cowling and horn push new old stock. Speedo is original and correct. Wiring loom was and still in intact and will come with the car but for safety reasons a new loom has been installed. The door and sliding window seals are new as well as boot and window seals.
Wheels/ Tyres
The original wheels lp918s came with the car these have been sand blasted and powder coated in old English White although not on the car at press will come with the deal. I couldn’t make up my mind of which I preferred. So the choice is yours both sets included. Alloys and steel.
Only selling this car so I can concentrate on a future business adventure,.
As you can see the car is period correct with the correct top fuel line tabs in the boot, please also note correct sills as so many mk1 minis now live with the later type sills.
Located in Yorkshire uk.
Lots of other photos available upon request for genuine buyers.
