So in theory, if someone found a completely rusted out, dented cooper s, that needed almost every panel replaced, it would no longer be genuine, and illegal, so thus, not worth any effort at all, so in theory, worth nothing and scrap the lot.
Yes?

WHEN IS A COOPER 'S' , NOT A COOPER 'S'

Recently ,I was posed the question,as to the authenticity of a MK 2 Cooper 'S'. I believe that the Body Number alone,if its original,
constitutes this claim.In support of this argument,I refer you to the events below.
From the factory,Mini K's,Deluxes and MK2 Cooper 'S's begin their journey along the assembly line.The same guards,doors bonnets,
floor pans,rear quarters,bulkheads,turrets and other body panels are assembled to form one of the above mentioned cars.When the body
of either is complete ,it is modified and stamped according to the orders.If it is a Cooper 'S',it then accepts its disc brakes,twin
tanks 1275 engine and gearbox,oil cooler etc.Depending on when it was made and sent to the dealers ,it then may be fitted with a
compliance plate.
Once sold,accidents,rust and fire may lead to deterioration of the body, which could lead into the following scenarios.
A rusted guard is replaced.Is it still a Cooper 'S'? A RH Door,RH Quarter Panel,RH Tank and Bootlid are replaced through accident.
Is it still a Cooper 'S'? The whole floor has to be replaced after damaging it, on passing over a speed hump.Is it still a Cooper 'S'?
A tree falls on the turret and bends the car like a banana.The whole body is rebuilt around the only surviving part ,the radiator
surround that contains the body number.Is it still a Cooper 'S'?
I think the general idea is conveyed.I believe that if a Cooper 'S'is rebuilt around its original stamping it can still be
classified as a Cooper 'S'.I have not disregarded other features pertinent to MK 2 Cooper 'S's. ON checking with the Roads and Traffic
Authority (R.T.A.), if you simply stamp the VIN Number on the radiator shroud or weld that Number Section on ,then the car is said to be
rebirthed.However ,if the car is rebuilt around the radiator shroud(inner guard) it would not be classified as rebirthing.All parts
could be replaced(i.e. guards,bulkhead,rearcut,roof,floors etc).Authenticity could be also assisted with receipt and photo of the original car.No doubt if a Cooper S had taken a severe hit on the Left Front Guard,destroying the radiator surround ,I'm sure that the purists
would restamp the shroud,to maintain the Cooper S status.This action -totally illegal according to the R.T.A.
Many veteran ,vintage and classic vehicles have been rebuilt by collecting chassis,bodies,engines,bits and pieces etc.,from all over the World,to form collectable vehicle. Many are them are sold and their authenticity is never questioned, but, simply admired .

Except for the simple--> personal conscience & ethics factor

who`s going to be able to police that????

there are way way way more supposed Genuine "S"`s out there than were ever made,,, so who`s to say diddly,,, it`s a matter of that persons own concience comming back to bite them in the bum later

Here's my opinion...
I have an 850, and i'm proud of it... I don't wish it was a Cooper S or any other model.
If you have a Deluxe, Clubman, Minimatic or any model mini, Don't be sitting there wishing it was something else. Be happy with what you have, because they are all cool in their own individual ways.

no, i think Mcfail was just saying to do what you want with your car, just don`t try to "pretend" or attempt to make it into something that it will never actually be,,,, the topic question /title in point

there are way way way more supposed Genuine "S"`s out there than were ever made,,, so who`s to say diddly,,, it`s a matter of that persons own concience comming back to bite them in the bum later