1967 Morris Mini Cooper S (MK1)

This is my 1967 Australian MK1 Morris Cooper S. The car was purchased in South Australia in 2016 - the seller at the time had the car for around 10 years, and had done some work to start bringing it back to original spec, including having new tyres fitted to repainted wheels, and had refurbished all of the brake lines but temporarily installed front drums. The engine currently in the car is a 1275cc unit, however, I believe this is out of an 1100S. I have another correct 1275 MK1 Cooper S engine block which has a number not far off the original, and would have also been from 1967 - so I am going to build that up over time with original components. 

Most of the car is there, including the original paint somewhere under the aftermarket blue topcoat. It has had a later model tail light conversion, which I will reverse at some point. This car is believed to have belonged to a South Australian mini specialist prior to the owner who I purchased it from. Someone commented on a youtube video of the car, suggesting it was likely owned by the person who ran Brickworx Racing in South Australia. The previous owner confirmed that this car was raced at Mallala race track in the 1980s - so perhaps this makes sense if the car was owned by the Brickworx racing guys - i will have to do some research and confirm its history.

The cars racing past is shown by its cut front guards, which have by the looks of it been modified for large wheels. I will of course be taking the guards back to original. I was told the car was stored for many years (I think the seller mentioned 15 years before he had it) - and this has really helped slow down the rust. The body is very solid from what I have inspected so far, and the only major body work will likely be in the front apron/guards where the modifications were made for racing (I already have a new Cooper S apron to apply! with the correct angle piece for the oil filter).

Looking forward to getting on with the project, and I will post more images of the car as it comes along.