1983 city £ to 1310 retro cooper

[jay whiting]

Ok so this is what im doing. I got myself a Mini city E for £100 in Bristol. Now the car is in reasonable condition but was in need of some TLC. The car has been dry stored for the last 4 years so has been protected from the elements but none the less it has some rust. Although not to bad. She needs a boot rear repair panel, new wings, outer sill repairs, and a heal board repair, front floor pan repairs. The car came with a 998cc engine - gearbox and front sub frame so i have to make do with the parts i have at home from a previous kit car. So im going to rebuild my 1275 to a 1310. It is fitted with a metro head so already has the larger valves. I will fit some high comp pistons, new rings, mains and ends. While im at it i will have new cam bearings fitted and line bored, high pres oil pump and a HIF 44 carb. Im not after huge power but being as im going to build a Retro cooper S i may as well have a fresh engine to suit.

So here are some pics of the car as i got it, then some of the work started. I hope you all enjoy :)

[IMG]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/1-2.jpg

[IMG]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC01935.jpg

[IMG]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC01933.jpg

[IMG]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC01955.jpg

[IMG]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC01932.jpg

After i got started i decided that repair parts are not what i wanted so it was going to be all new pannels from the heritage company so first up was the boot floor.

[jay whiting]

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC01997.jpghttp://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC01926.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC01927.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/rebuild015.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC01998.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/rebuild010.jpg

The work goes on so i will keep adding the pics as they come.

[jay whiting]

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/rebuild011.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC02002.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/rebuild023.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC02020.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC02021.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC02023.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC02025.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC01948.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC02027.jpg

[jay whiting]

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC02028.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC02030.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/eng1.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/eng2.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/eng5.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/eng7.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC02049.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC02060.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC02051.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC02054.jpg

[jay whiting]

Here are the last lot for the time being.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC02059.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC02062.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC02065.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC02070.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n58/skylinegts33t/DSC02074.jpg

Ok, so the engine is now fully built back up and is in the car and has been test fired and all is running well.
As for body work, the new wings are fitted, new sills, door steps have been replaced, the heal board is replaced, new rear valence, new floor pans, all new poly bushes for the whole car, new breaks and lines, new shocks. Next up is new headlining, door skins, and carpet. The car will then be primed and ready for paint.

[ROADRUNNER]

Brilliant job you have done there brand new car , is that colour Pageant Blue, got a clubman estate near to that colour, it'll be nice to see it when its finished keep us posted

[Deano]

Looks great keep us posted :)

[RSPop]

Great pics ! It's coming on really well. Keep us up to date with the rebuild.

[jay whiting]

Thanks for the comments, the car is coming along well. I have just come back in from the garage after fitting new door skins. As for the colour, its a RAL colour, its RAL5010 Gentian Blue. The car is almost there now, all the welding is done, all the running gear is back on the car. Im still in need of a full set of shocks bt as yet undecided on what i want to fit. Tracking needs doing, lights need refitting but waiting for my MK2 rears to arrive. Headining is on order so should be with me soon so that will see the start on the refit inside. Glass will then all go in the car along with all new rubbers and chrome strips. New door seals are also needed to complete the weather proofing of the car. It will be driven for a while in its primer as the final paintwork outside will have to wait until the new year now. As for the finnishing, well that all depends on finding the right parts at the right price, MK1 Grille and mustache, over riders and corner bars. All the Austin cooper badges have been ordered along with the S badges and the cooper 130mph speedo. Its all just a shame MK1 doors will not fit as the external hinges are something of an icon and the fake ones just dont do it for me.......

[clubbyestate]

looking good fella ;)

[minimuff]

Great looking resto mate. Some great pics there. well done and thanks for sharing....