40yrs of dust and she still looks great

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Scottw
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40yrs of dust and she still looks great

Post by Scottw »

Here are a couple of pictures of the Morris Minor convertible I have been gifted by very good friends. They have owned her for over 40yrs . They did get a little confused about the age of it because they had more than one . This one is a 1961 948cc . She is still in good structural condition she does need a new hood that’s for sure . Over the next couple of weekends I’ll be getting it running then look through the breaks and any other bits to get it going back on the road . My dilemma is do I leave her in her work clothes or spoil her to new chrome and paint 🤔
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1961 minor convertible
pgp001
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Re: 40yrs of dust and she still looks great

Post by pgp001 »

Nice one........Did you get the Mini too ?

Phil
Scottw
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Re: 40yrs of dust and she still looks great

Post by Scottw »

pgp001 wrote: Sun May 31, 2020 8:18 pm Nice one........Did you get the Mini too ?

Phil
No that’s far to special but I do get to assist in the restoration of it 😊
1961 minor convertible
jagnut66
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Re: 40yrs of dust and she still looks great

Post by jagnut66 »

It looks in great condition considering. Especially when you compare it to the condition of that Mini.
Apart from the bonnet strips the paint appears in reasonable order as well.
I remember reading about Danny Hopkins Austin 3 litre in Practical Classics a few years back, the paint on that was very flat but he managed to get it cut and polished (by a professional I believe) back up to a shine and therefore saved himself the expense of a respray.
Give it a wash and, unless you come across some serious problem areas, see what some T- cut and polish (with added elbow grease :wink: ) will do before getting the spray gun out.
Best wishes,
Mike.
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels and waiting to be resprayed......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
philthehill
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Re: 40yrs of dust and she still looks great

Post by philthehill »

You have sparked my interest - what is so special about the Mini mentioned above?

Phil

jagnut66
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Re: 40yrs of dust and she still looks great

Post by jagnut66 »

You have sparked my interest - what is so special about the Mini mentioned above?
I believe they are referring to the early one mentioned in this 'barn find' post (link attached below).
Best wishes,
Mike.


viewtopic.php?f=1&t=72030
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels and waiting to be resprayed......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
ManyMinors
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Re: 40yrs of dust and she still looks great

Post by ManyMinors »

Yes, there are 2 completely different "barn find" Minis. The one in this thread is a more valuable model I think :wink:
Scottw
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Re: 40yrs of dust and she still looks great

Post by Scottw »

philthehill wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2020 9:35 am You have sparked my interest - what is so special about the Mini mentioned above?

Phil
Hi phil the one behind my Morris is a 1 owner mk1 Cooper S that was used for rallying in its first few years of life . It’s not in too bad condition considering. The engine has been freshly rebuilt and awaiting fitment once it’s had restoration to the body .
1961 minor convertible
philthehill
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Re: 40yrs of dust and she still looks great

Post by philthehill »

Thanks for the reply - but what cubic capacity Cooper S - as there are Cooper's /Cooper S's and there are Cooper's/Cooper S's which makes some more interesting than others.

Phil

Scottw
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Re: 40yrs of dust and she still looks great

Post by Scottw »

philthehill wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2020 12:48 pm Thanks for the reply - but what cubic capacity Cooper S - as there are Cooper's /Cooper S's and there are Cooper's/Cooper S's which makes some more interesting than others.

Phil
I’m not 100% sure but at the weekend I’ll find out 👍
1961 minor convertible
kevin s
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Re: 40yrs of dust and she still looks great

Post by kevin s »

jagnut66 wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2020 8:55 am It looks in great condition considering. Especially when you compare it to the condition of that Mini.
Apart from the bonnet strips the paint appears in reasonable order as well.
I remember reading about Danny Hopkins Austin 3 litre in Practical Classics a few years back, the paint on that was very flat but he managed to get it cut and polished (by a professional I believe) back up to a shine and therefore saved himself the expense of a respray.
Give it a wash and, unless you come across some serious problem areas, see what some T- cut and polish (with added elbow grease :wink: ) will do before getting the spray gun out.
Best wishes,
Mike.
I'd go for the same approach , you might want to try G3 rather than T cut though to speed things up.
jagnut66
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Re: 40yrs of dust and she still looks great

Post by jagnut66 »

you might want to try G3 rather than T cut
Agreed, given how flat the paint is.
Best wishes,
Mike.
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels and waiting to be resprayed......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
jagnut66
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Re: 40yrs of dust and she still looks great

Post by jagnut66 »

Yes, there are 2 completely different "barn find" Minis. The one in this thread is a more valuable model I think
Ah yes, I didn't spot the one hidden by the Minor until later comments made me look again.
Lucky find for someone. :D
Best wishes,
Mike.
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels and waiting to be resprayed......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
Scottw
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Re: 40yrs of dust and she still looks great

Post by Scottw »

jagnut66 wrote: Tue Jun 02, 2020 4:36 pm
Yes, there are 2 completely different "barn find" Minis. The one in this thread is a more valuable model I think
Ah yes, I didn't spot the one hidden by the Minor until later comments made me look again.
Lucky find for someone. :D
Best wishes,
Mike.
Not a find just been well hidden 😊
1961 minor convertible
Scottw
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Re: 40yrs of dust and she still looks great

Post by Scottw »

philthehill wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2020 12:48 pm Thanks for the reply - but what cubic capacity Cooper S - as there are Cooper's /Cooper S's and there are Cooper's/Cooper S's which makes some more interesting than others.

Phil
Been today and It’s a Cooper 1275 S 👍
1961 minor convertible
philthehill
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Re: 40yrs of dust and she still looks great

Post by philthehill »

Thank you for the update.
The early 1275cc Cooper S is the one to aim for as they has all the right parts i.e. EN40 crankshafts, EN24V conrods, steel timing gears etc etc. The later Cooper S used downgraded materials in the manufacture of the engine.

Phil

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