459 replies to this topic

[Daz1968]

Now my mk1 deluxe is finished I was itching to make a start on my mk2 cooper, it was restored by my dad and me back in the 80's so even though it's not got a massive amount of rust the panel choice back then was very poor so am planning to do it again but use the best panels I can.
Picture before I started


It has a few good features such as factory recliners and rh tank and retains its hydrolastic.





Got the engine out today and hopeful to get it down to a bare shell next weekend







I am not going to rush this one so may not update too often, it will have full m machine floor and heritage boot floor and full inner wings, this will remove all the poor quality panels fitted in the past, although back then that were only ones available.

[CAU998]

Really looking forward to seeing this transform. Good luck  !

[mk3 Cooper S]

Looks great.

 

I thought the panel availability was better back then as there was lots of NOS or austin panels around?

 

Lots of cheap veng panels too !!

[Daz1968]

The standard of repair panels was poor, I bought a rear floor from rover and it has virtually no ribs pressed in it, just a feint indent and it was designed to fit around rear bin and up to cross member, inner sills also the same, I had to make my own inner sills and repair piece for floor under cross member, full body panels were probably available but was out of my reach money wise. I had to get as many parts as I could from better shells in breakers, at least these would fit.
I was going to just tidy it up but have decided to do the job properly but not concourse, I will use as many original old parts as I can apart from panels, over the years have collected a few, I want it to look its age not new, I am not into the replace everything restoration as too much is lost from original in my opinion. Also any extras will be strictly period, although the wheels are from 70's I think but I do like them,

[Jared Mk3]

I've been waiting for this one for a while. Following.

[timmy850]

I really like the early Coopers, interested to see how you go with this one!

[mk1leg]

great resto project

[Daz1968]

A little update,

The pile of bits removed is getting bigger, although on this one I am bagging a labelling everything to make it easier in the future





How it stands at moment






Hopefully finish stripping it so I can survey the extent of body work required,
I have been looking forward to starting this one but know its a long hard road ahead.

Edited by Daz1968, 22 September 2015 - 06:58 PM.

[minimissions]

Looks like a top project, and nice that its been in the family for so long, makes even more worth while doing :) So are the plans back to how it was just all nice panels and new paint? or you putting you little take on it?

[Daz1968]

My plan is to rebuild it near original spec using as many nos and used parts I can, if brakes are unserviceable then may have to fit s discs which if so I would fit different wheels as offset of these are incorrect if this happens then I do like the rosepetal alloys. My parents bought me the car as a project when I was 18 and my father and me worked together to complete it, originality was not really high priority back then. Over the years I collected a lot of spares so these will be put to good use,

[minimissions]

Sounds like a good plan to me, Rose petal wheels would look perfect on this car, if I ever had a chance at a mini van again i would go rosepetals with that love the look of them. Looking forward to your progress :)

[WMU 211G]

Fantastic car and what a great project - I recognise it Daz, I'm sure I photographed it at Himley Hall about twenty years ago. The Dunlop D1 alloys you've currently got on it were first introduced in late '68 so they suit the car perfectly, my October '68 Mk2 S has them on at the moment (mine was origianlly Island Blue / Snowberry White too).

 

I might have a few Mk2 bits left over from my car's resto, I'll have a look and see what's there

[WMU 211G]

Here you go...

 

 Mk2 Cooper SAL 757F IMG_20150923_0002.jpg   59.87K   27 downloads

 

 

[Daz1968]

Brings back memory's, that flag pole under rear wheel is what fell in front wing and bonnet and caused a dent, I found some old show passes in car from late nineties. Let me know if you find anything as trying to avoid new parts as much as I can, are you a member of cooper register,

[Daz1968]

Virtually finished the strip down now, just got to drop the subframes off next week,
Trim all out


Not to worried with anything I found, just a few patch repairs that will be gone when I replace panels.



Only area I am a little worried about repairing is this corner of roof, not looking forward to tackling this at all


Fortunately rest of roof is fine apart from drip rails which will be replaced,
Would best method on this be to look for a cut from a van or pickup shell, don't think I could make panels easily due to shape.