I bought this car in May 2014 I have always wanted a Cooper S and had been looking for one for some time.
At first glance the car seemed in reasonable condition, although I didn't go into this project with my eyes shut, it had been stored in a barn for nine years it was going to have its problems
Plus it's old age, there was going to be signs of previous repairs and wear and tear. What I wanted is to create a good usable classic not over restored or concourse example. So having been a car sprayer for over 30 years, this should not be too much of a problem. Luckily I have the use of my company's workshop and equipment and a good friend who’s and excellent panel beater and mechanic that worked on British cars from the 50s up until he retired in 2010
The first job was to strip the many layers of underseal off the boot and the interior floor, to check out any evidence of previous work. I found the usual plates welded here and there, done to a good standard, but nothing too bad certainly not worth putting new floors in. It appears it had new seals fitted in the past and are still holding up well. The A pillars, flitch panels and hinge pillars were all rotten along with the corner windscreen panels and of course the front wings have now been replaced.
June 2014
July 2014
July 2014
The engine and sub frame have been removed and since sandblasted and repainted. The engine remains untouched, it runs extremely well, has good oil pressure, no knocks or rattles and no smoke. The hydro-elastic is still holding well with no leaks, so I shall keep this until parts are no longer available. All bushes, brake lines and brakes have been renewed or re-commissioned, along with hoses, cables, radiator and fuel lines. The carbs have been rebuilt as well.
September 2014
September/October 2014
The body has been striped back to bare metal to reveal a lot of history and has since been rectified. The boot lid and bonnet were beyond repair and so have been replaced. The doors were serviceable having had skins previously. The webasto roof has not stood up to time quite as well and was sent to a specialist for an expensive refurb. I have tried my hand at fitting a new head lining and I must say, it looks OK.
October 2014
October 2014
October 2014
October 2014
October 2014
The interior unfortunately, had not fared too well,
New carpet and door cards a dash board were fitted mice had been feasting on it for many years!
Luckily, the microcell seats remained untouched.
November 2014
December 2014
December 2014
December 2014
December 2014
January 2015
January 2015
January 2015
January 2015
February 2015
February 2015
February 2015
As far as I know the Heritage certificate said it left the factory as a right-hand drive car. I believe it went to Jersey and was probably used in France where it was converted to left hand drive There are still stickers in the window dating back to the eighties and of trips to the Monaco grand prix and Mini Cooper days out and also the Cooper register badge. It came back to the UK in the early 80s and was returned back to right hand drive. I finished the car in January 2015 after a 6 month rebuild in my own time. After a 3 month wait for my Dunlop alloys the car was ready for its MOT it sailed through with no problems it’s now back on the road after 10 years looking great ready for the summer.
April 2015
April 2015
April 2015
April 2015
The Title should have said 1970 mk3 cooper s.
Thanks.
Edited by Cooper guy, 20 May 2015 - 05:41 PM.
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