Ok so I'll be buying a Rover.
****ing around with a Morris has seen the end in any more work being done to it.
A Rover, in my opinion, is a much better 'base' to start with.



So then i have some options.

A) Buy one, with nice paint/interior/etc, and just drive the bastard.

B) Get one that requires only paint (with NO RUST; yucky rust)
Do this to it:
Respray an old Morris colour (Smoke Grey and Saxon Green are my faves) - single tone
Replace grille with MK1 item
Replace tail lights with MK1 items
Maybe replace boot lid with MK1 item
Cobra Lowback seats with rears to suit fronts (door cards, too)
Maaaaaybe Centre 3 gauge setup (ala Poopy "s")
Over riders with Nurf bars.
10" Alloys (Cooper S replicas - http://www.minispeed.co.uk/classic/index.cgi?task=showproduct&id=wheel01 ) w/ Dunlop R tyres
Hubcaps and whitewalls.
1310 (or similar), hottie hot hot hot motor.

Yep; classic looks, quick car.

C) Um... Nah just A or B


(no ideas are set yet, i just wanted to put them down on something to get them out of my head... its all i can think about when im at tafe/work)

Sorry but some of (B) is illegal. You can't take a 'modern' ADR compliant (or similar) car and revert back to 1960's bits. So low back seats are out. So is a reduction in brake size to suit the 10s and the rear lights of a Morris would be out too. Even centre gauges could get you in trouble with Mr Law. A Mk 1 boot lid would be ok as long as the number plate light was as effective as the Rover one. So you'd be left with the colour, the grille and the bumper changes.

Please do paint it. Rover paint is rubbish and you'll have a rusty bucket in minutes if you don't.
Personally I like your plan, it's just that some department of transport guys have had a sense of humour bypass and enjoy defecting cars.

M

True, but i'd get the bits engineered, and MAKE them comply with ADRs.
Reversing light would need to be added, most other things are fine, even the seats as far as i'm aware.

Nah, whiplash headrests were an ADR requirement in the 70s.

Make the most of having a Rover and get the really late model shell with the internal blade fuse box and inertia reeler rear seat belts as standard. Get rid of glass fuses for ever and have nice plastic compartments in the rear.

If Steve of Brickworx ever comes through with the goods, he'll have a pale green leather-look interior from a 1999 Cooper. It would look great with a pale green paint job. The seats are quite retro too, having rounded shoulders unlike the square ones on most Rovers. Oh and he'll have a Cooper front cut with the good fuse box and bracket.

wouldnt (b) be technically the same as building a mk1, considering your changing the engine anyway? whats wrong with the mk1?

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Potato

Finding a MK1 in as good condition would be alot harder i reckon. Rovers generally would be in better condition as they were built sometime afterwards.

I like Option B willy

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I like your thinking willy.
I'm looking at doing the same thing if I get a rover, tail-lights, 850 boot lid, 850 grille, external hinges and morris badges, but I'm going rover interior.
Classic on the outside, comfort and refinement on the inside.



Dunno bout willy's reasons, but mine are that the rovers would be quieter, have better better compatibility with the newer engine (though there is bugger all difference anyway) be in better condition, and (slightly) harder to break into.

Do option B... but for god's sake, don't drive it .... you'll just kill it...

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Brand new 10 inch alloy cooper s 9 hole rims are available in the Uk to fit larger disk brakes now. 50 squids each, then postage costs.

All you have to do now is find one that is complied and doesn't cost 15k or more. Then Paint 3-5k then all other mods 2-5k..... for a mini thats just silly money for a car that holds no historical value and hence holds no real monetery value as the car is driven.
Finish the deluxe or find a rust free shell paint it, drop your rover stuff in. Just not worth the outlay in my opinion. Good rust free shells exsist. my Cooper S i bought is Rust free. I know this as it is bare metal at the moment.

For the question or quietness, rover mini's are no different to old minis. Good soundproofing and new rubbers will cut down noise... just like they do in the rovers.

Good luck whatever you do, but william, changing your mind as many time as you have is costing you money, pick an idea and see it thru, cheaper than getting one half done and moving onto anohter idea and loosing money on it. just my opinion.

Cheers

Aaron

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Thats life tho.
I bought the Deluxe thinking it would be a perfect base.
But it isnt really.
I'm sure i'll sell it for what i paid for it (and maybe some more)


Harley... you got it in one