I have stumbled across some very interesting information pertaining to Special Traffic Patrol Vehicles within NSW, and in particular to what would include the earlier services of the Mk1 Cooper S. There is as we know, quite a bit of information linked and shared with the later Mk 2 versions with SPO41 etc, but my endeavour was to find out more on the earlier services of the Mk 1, as I was always intrigued at the signs / idiosyncracies of my car.

It is public information and I can share here that there were exactly 500 x Cooper S units supplied over the 1967 - 1969 period; after this date specifics to vehicle makes were unfortunately not captured. There were more motor cycles than cars (almost always more than double), but accompanying makes of vehicles included the Rambler Sedan ('67 & '68) and GT Falcons ('69), although the Cooper S was certainly the choice, particularly in 1968, as they captured 90% of the STP sedan fleet within NSW.

There are certainly differences in the earlier assigned vehicles compared to the documentation of the later SPO41 issue, and I'm hoping to further explore amongst the various cars I have on file to re-examine.

F

This could be very interesting information.
I guess there were fewer modifications to the cars supplied in Mk 1 form as they were already better all-round performers than the vast majority of cars on the road in their time.
They had an impact on the second hand market when auctioned off, too. There was 'the mini dealer with the big heart' on Parramatta Road, Burwood (forgotten his name) who always had a yard full of desirable Ss.

The Basic SPOs for the early cars were listed in SLS 132 dated 1Nov1967
SPO 16 – Lowered front seats
SPO 25 – Reversing Lights
SPO 26 – Competition Disc Brakes DS11
The Olympic GT Radial Ply Tyres were listed with them but I don't know if there was an SPO for the tyres.


I would be interested to see any paperwork on fitting the Speedo, Siren, Spotlights, Sumpguard, Sunvisor, Radio and Antenna, Fire Extinguisher, Breakdown kit, Auxillary Power socket, Handheld spotlight, Police signage, Lower Dash Brass plate.

SPO 16, 25 and 26 are also listed in the SPO41 specs.



NSW Police may have started using the MK1 S on 10th Jun 1966 according to this newspaper extract so that would add a few more to the 500 MK1s.

Does this mean the Mk1 also had reversing lights the same as SPO41 but no handbrake warning light on the binnacle?

I would say yes but you know as well as I do that not everything is cut and dry with these cars.

Also these SPOs may not have started until later in 1967. I can't find any earlier SLS that talks about them.

Just waiting for Winabbey to join in on the conversation ...........

I read that SPO25 was not necessary or, rather poor efficiencies as the wiring would have needed to be altered, so no reversing lights?

Understand all the documentation that has been produced, but mine is one of sourcing the additional components that are not listed - such as:
- Single roof rack
- Reclining (& lowered) seat
- Holes on the flintch panel for driving lights
- Holes under the passenger side dash
- Holes under the rear seat panel
- The brass plate (and the respective screw hole dimensions) in front of the driver
- Holes on the top front dash rail - either side of the demister vents - for 'Police' slide-in signage

Those are what I found and would be keen to get others thoughts.

For the record here are the numbers:

This might help with working out the yearly totals missing from your list

Very interesting - thank you.

So you could conclude from the Canberra Times article that the drivers that did infringe were lucky customers - to being pulled over by 1 of only 6!

Many fleet customers used genuine BMC accessories on their vehicles as it reduced the purchasing paperwork and the accessory came with a warranty. Accessories used by NSW Police included a sump guard, driving lights, sun visor, drivers door weather shield and door mirror.

The fitting of reversing lights to the Mini range was first mentioned in Parts News Newsletter dated May 1965, and involved a separate Hella brand light part HYL3022 and bracket kit HYL3032.



There is no picture of the HYL3032 light in the BMC accessories catalogue but it does appear in a Mini accessory brochure, the same shape as Hella driving and fog lamp (HYL3030 and 3031) but with a different lens HYL3736 being clear fluted.









If you want to source the reversing lamp the Hella part number is 1402. I don't know what bracket HYL3032 looks like or where the lamp was mounted.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Interesting information. Do you mind divulging the source?

_________________
ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

There's a complete list of SPO numbers, description, and vehicle application in my Mini World book - I won't reproduce the tables here out of respect for those who have purchased the book. By the look of it, some are of a general nature while others are Police specific. Interestingly, a paint colour scheme to Sydney County Council requirements was available for YDO6 ! I wonder how many Cooper S's they purchased in the corporate colour?

I know a mini with one of those reverse lights fitted. I assume however that it is not a BMC installation/bracket, the light is mounted with the stud upwards. The light didn't appear to have ever actually been wired up until I got to it.

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1986 Mayfair (998 auto), 1974 S, 1974 Van, 1972 PMG Van

Too many minis

Annual Reports are available as general public information from libraries and via the web