also a couple of other little items today

- seat brackets
- stuck my head under the dash and found the mounting holes for the police radio just like the one at shannons

I am just curious the fact that the possibility i am driving an ex cop car kind of disturbs me as it tells me its been abused since the day it was first registered

I thought that also when I discovered my car was ex-NSW Police (see this thread - viewtopic.php?f=2&t=83696). But I now know they were well looked after by those who drove them. They were sold at auction after 30,000 miles so were usually only a couple of months old. If the body is straight on your car then any other wear and tear on suspension, steering, engine and transmission is easily fixed by replacement parts. Use by Police is not an issue. It's subsequent owners I'd be more concerned with.

The only signs that your car saw NSW Police service would be the holes for the mesh sunscreen, possibly holes for the steel sump guard, possibly reversing lights and almost certainly two holes in the front edge of the front parcel shelf rail on the passenger side where the Police ID plate was fixed. Also holes in the flitch panel under the power brake booster where a siren may have been located.

All Mark 1 and most Mark 2 Cooper S's used by Police were stock standard showroom models from a mechanical viewpoint. It wasn't until September 1970 that the modified engine with 1 1/2" SU's, rally camshaft, etc. was introduced. Two-way radios (AWA 25M) weren't fitted until late 1970 so those holes are probably from a standard radio fitted by a previous owner. Seat brackets were also standard.

If you can show it came with the current paint then I doubt it's ex NSW Police as all their cars were monotone (i.e. roof same colour as body) to my knowledge. This was done intentionally so they looked like a normal Mini to the motoring public.

If you want to chat further feel free to drop me a PM and I'll give you my mobile number. Between us we should be able to determine if it's ex-NSW Police or not.

It's a 68 according to the rego papers

Thanks mate I ended up replacing the water pump, the Bypass hose with a solid one, The radiator, Thermostat and Housing and gave everything a good flush

You are definitely on the right track

If it were me I would be getting some good long runs under its belt to confirm it is running at the correct temp then flushing the coolant system once again to remove any further crud you might dislodge...

and all the while, enjoying the heck out of it

No other car has ever given me so much joy.

I know this car VERY well , it was mine back in the mid 80's, I rebuilt it restored it in about 1985 from a bare shell , it has dry suspension , I changed it , remember these cars were worth nothing in the mid 80's and I had only seen about 3 or 4 that had been restored , don't change the interior colour it is original , someone after me painted the roof , I thought this car had gone to Japan . The colour is squadron blue , the spray painter could not get Indigo blue so he thought he would paint it this colour could not believe it when I went to pick it up. I still have the receipts for the rebuild , unbelievable , how exciting to see it again hope to see it in the flesh soon .

registered 2 days before Minifest 1 at Liverpool.

I know this car VERY well , it was mine back in the mid 80's, I rebuilt it restored it in about 1985 from a bare shell , it has dry suspension , I changed it , remember these cars were worth nothing in the mid 80's and I had only seen about 3 or 4 that had been restored , don't change the interior colour it is original , someone after me painted the roof , I thought this car had gone to Japan . The colour is squadron blue , the spray painter could not get Indigo blue so he thought he would paint it this colour could not believe it when I went to pick it up. I still have the receipts for the rebuild , unbelievable , how exciting to see it again hope to see it in the flesh soon .