Well you seem to be making all the rules atm, so thats it

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"Show me the Mini!"

I don't understand what you mean. If you are seriously saying there should be a category for cars that started life as a Cooper S and were subsequently converted to a De Luxe or Mini K then by all means put forward that suggestion for discussion. At the moment the individuals who contributed large portions of the various registers agreed on the current format and content, including that the registers reflect factory production records. In hindsight it would've been better if I'd said "there is no sub-category" rather than "there will be no sub-category".

I don't know of any such list of converted cars, so identifying those cars would be an issue, unless you have some details.

I'm doing something wrong if you think I make the rules. I facilitate publication of the lists that are all held and maintained by others. This is a communal effort involving some long-standing Mini enthusiasts who have willingly offered up data they have been collecting for decades. Happy to have a chat if I've misunderstood anything. PM me and I'll send you my mobile number.

I'm very happy for there to be a healthy discussion and debate on the marque registers, or anything on Ausmini for that matter. That's one of the aspects that makes Ausmini an attractive forum for so many, so long as people stick to the subject matter and don't get personal.

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

It would be interested know which cars were converted backwards and how many in total. Sounds like a very easy thing to trace - not.

I remember in the 80's that Mark Paget (Qld Mini Car Club) wrote some very good articles identifying Aussie Coopers and their features. He was going to write a book about them, I don't think that he did.

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The bitterness of poor quality (or Crappy Workmanship) remains LONG AFTER the Sweet Taste of Low Price is forgotten.

It is not a list of surviving cars.
It is not a list of fakes.
It is not a list of re-bodies/re-shells.
It is not a list of Cooper S's with Deluxe badges.

If you want a list of those things you are quite welcome to make your own with any data you have.

Most of the info is in these magazines. http://www.theminimag.itgo.com/index.html

Thanks for all the varying responses to my initial questions. If nothing else it has encouraged some enthusiasm for the info to be made generally available and to me that would be a good thing. I have been out of the Mini scene for almost 45 years and most of what I knew I have forgotten so if nothing else the info would be a refresher course as I am sure it would be for others.

I certainly hope that some collaboration comes from this and even a broad list can be of help to prospective buyers.

Thanks again.
Forbes

Go it So...

ALL the cars listed in the Register are original, un-molested examples

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"Show me the Mini!"

No.
All the car numbers on the list are just that, numbers.
There are no claims of authenticity.

Not necessarily, but ideally it would be. The data came from various people and various sources over a long period of time. Only superficial checking has been done on the reasonableness.

The disclaimer included in the preamble for all registers may help answer your question.

Disclaimer: This list is provided for the information of members of the Ausmini web forum and interested Mini enthusiasts. The majority of the information here was obtained from existing car ID plates, Driver's Handbooks, Passports to Service, factory service literature, registration and sales documentation, as well as information supplied by individuals. This information is provided as a service to members and enthusiasts, to inform them on factory production details, in the absence of official production records. While every endeavour has been taken to ensure the information is as accurate as possible, the authors take no responsibility for the use of the information provided or its accuracy when false or misleading information has been supplied.

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

Good luck with that...don't forget, when you make a list, check it twice

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"Show me the Mini!"

I cant believe this thread!
Relatively new to minis for 27 years. In that time I keep coming across the attitude of "it's my bat and ball and Ill take it away before i share" attitude. I'd always shook my head at these cretins, they were the type that stifle, community, growth, happiness.

So this forum's about community and sharing, a relative modern savior of the marque's shrinking community. Getting the marques out in the open is what it's about, working together etc. But this thread raises the head of cretins.

I upset by the stupidity of some saying lets hold the info secret and use experts to identify the fakes. It's just so shallow an argument it's farsical. Who's going to fake a special class, whos the boogeyman, whos got the time and connections to pull it off in any part? it's going to be an enthusiast now days, desire is a shrinking demographic. How do they fake it? by asking an expert what to look for or using their eyes and ears. So the crux is the expert and their willingness to divulge data. I can say in my short time with minis, every expert I have talked to is happy to discuss the details they look for. One expert was also discussing the parts he was not absolutely sure on as the factory changes were not clear due to consumption of stock or pre-released factory testing. There is no "cooper police" there is no keeper of the gates to exclusivity and your just as likely to build a tribute these days as build an original (the original dies and machines are long gone and NOS is gone)

To those introverted bat and ball clutchers, keep your cars in the shed, don't show them, don't drive them, don't discuss them, keep it all secret because the copiers will see and rip you off Maybe you guys should start another club of secret handshakes and sly winks.... maybe you have and only high-lark on this forum to protect your clubs navel-gazing

To the rest I'll call a community, honesty and openness is the way, if you want the data then don't be afraid to ask for it, if you want to build a tribute car then do it but be honest and call it a tribute car, i'd give you bonus kudos if it was exact and a tribute. If you're buying a special car don't be afraid to post pics and data for the rest of us to assist and learn from.

That's the way forward.

I spent 1/2 hour writing a response and deleted it, feel like I need to leave something here now.

Pineapples or banana's! Passion fruits also nice in summer with ice cream. Being in a cold climate area I also like to buy local cherries.

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1968 Morris Mini Deluxe - members gallery
1970 Morris Cooper S - members gallery
Mini's I grew up with
Slot car couch

G'day Besser, I think your view is not in tune with the reasons why I think one should call in a specialist.

The purchase price ranges between 20 to 35 K for a reasonably restored Cooper S through to motor show quality. More overseas, and certainly more for unique pieces of history. In this case we pretty much are playing for sheep stations.

People buying these cars may not be coming from a background of classic minis. I would not want to have play on my mind that someone confused a Chinese font stamp for a period correct English font stamp, or mixed a through-hole mig weld for a factory spot weld. The subtleties usually can't be transmitted by internet 2d image.

For the cost of perhaps a few hundred dollars (or less, or a carton of beer, or whatever) to a specialist who has worked with them for years, you would get peace of mind, and perhaps a paper trail. To be honest, the difference will be down to the subtle reasons above. Anyone can bolt in an engine, brakes instruments and right hand tank.

Opinions are cheap on the web, and ownership of opinions disappear when it all goes to pot. The reticence to make a how-to doesn't come from the place you're thinking it does.

I don't understand the personal use of the word cretin. I think you're getting over excited.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Dice Pineapples or banana's! Slip in some Passion fruits also nice in summer with ice cream. Being in a cold climate area I also like to buy local cherries...train smash them altogether and splash with a little Cointreau

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"Show me the Mini!"