Hi all - my first post on your forum.
Am hoping to buy a cooper s.
Can someone tell me what a cooper s interior switch panel should look like?
I have a pic of one from a car (promoted as a MkII) I am interested in that from left to right has: knob (looks like choke emblem on it), toggle, ignition, toggle, toggle, then outside of that panel closer to the steering wheel the washer pump. Underneath is the black heater box with black vertical lever - hard to tell if box is plastic or metal. Speedo, gauges look correct. Is it possible that this is a non cooper s dash, with the speedo/gauges grafted in, or is this spec correct for some s models?
The car is 2000k from my home so is hard work trying to inspect! It would seem most other things on the car confirm it's "realness" - but my research so far hasn't come up with this dash layout. I'm trying to avoid a wasted expensive trip if car isn't what it is supposed to be!
Many thanks!

Hi Peter , welcome to ausmini , hope we can help you here .
It might make it easier if you put a picture of the dash/switch panel area up for people to comment on ( http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10405 describes how to put photo's here) , from your description it sounds like most Morris mini's but there were a few subtle differences between models . Is it possible to get someone from a mini club to look at it or is it too good a find to let others see the car before you buy it ?

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Thanks mate.
OK - my first try at this - see how it goes.



I am also working on your suggestion re club members having a look, but happy to have extra opinions.

Hi Peter and welcome to Ausmini, there are lots of ways to 'identify' a true S, yes there are differences in the instruments, but there are more obvious things!

Firstly the chassis plate on the bulkhead behind the master cylinders or on the subframe tower behind the servo on MkII's. The numbers on these plates will be your best guide. However, some early MkII cars had no plate! (1969) these are the most copied!

Other obvious things are disc brakes, 11 stud head (10 and 1 bolt) 1275 motor with tappet chests, the engine numbers are on a small ledge just in front of the thermostat housing at the radiator end. Twin Tanks, boot board brackets, tank breather tabs......

The list goes on, I suggest you find the numbers first and move on from there, if you want to PM them to me, I will try to help out.

Graham

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Sir Alec! we are not worthy!

Hi Peter,
Welcome from me! See if you can get the full car and engine serial numbers. They will tell us quite a bit about the car. I take it the car is Australian production so the car numbers will be on a plate on the bulkhead by the right bonnet hinge bracket and the engine number will bo on the block, just under #1 spark plug. Ask the seller to send them to you.

Regards
Al

Looks like a Mk1 style heater, maybe MkII gauges? could be a 69 car on the changeover, does it have a chassis plate?

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Sir Alec! we are not worthy!

One minor point, does not detract from the car, the extra toggle switch on the right would normally be a heater control cable to allow the water to be turned off from the head to the heater. Easily fixed, probably has no heater tap on head!

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Sir Alec! we are not worthy!

You guys are unreal - the replies are coming in faster than I can type!
Yes spot on - I believe it is a 69 with no plate.
Owner is sending more details later today. I guess what I am doing is "sneaking up" on it bit by bit - and this interior had me wondering what model it belongs to or if it is a "combo", as my research shows there to be 2 knobs on the dash for MkII's - one choke one heater.
Thanks for the fast responses!

For a 69 car, you need a good clear photo of the radiator shroud panel, this may be the only true identifier.......

For what it's worth the quality of what you can see in the picture looks good, the vinyl on the top dash rail / heater vents and ashtray are all S type fitments.

Original paperwork is good too! how long has he had the car, has it been registered under S numbers for a long time?

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Sir Alec! we are not worthy!

Graham - thanks for that. Later today I hope to have more pics inc one of radiator shroud, so might PM you with numbers later - see how I go. (Keep an eye on your inbox tonight just in case ) Your help and interest is fantastic.

As you would appreciate, it's important to me to get a real one - the owner seems like a nice bloke and I have no reason to doubt anything he tells me, just running my own checks for my own peace of mind, as you do! He bought it as an S and had run his own checks some time ago - that's all I know at this point.

Cheers!

In the pic it looks like the speedo is pointing to a number. If the car is aprked (which I assume it is) shouldn't it point to zero? So I'm wondering if it's an optical (or photographic) illusion.

What town/city is the car laocted if it was located in Northern Adelaide or SA somewhere not too far I would happily go look at it, and not buy it as I'm a (in a week) year 12 student who can barely afford to keep his own car on the road.

PS- The interior looks great.

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1964 Morris 850, 1330 Supercharged - 81.8hp atws.
1975 Leyland Mini S 1100S powered - Nice and reliable.
1977 Leyland Mini LS - Project LS-T

good point! I assume the car is on the go mate, as the oil pressure is up as well as temp, and ignition looks turned on.
Car is not in SA, but thanks heaps for the offer! Glad you young dudes have an interest in these cars, and will keep the legend going for many years to come.
Cheers.

Hi

Looks like you're getting a good lot of info to help you.

But just thought I'd speak up and offer my help if needed in the SE Qld area.

Cheers
Steve

yeh what area do you live in?

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Introducing 'LITE'. The new way to spell 'light' with 20% less letters!

I don't know my name anymore.

Same here for the Mid North Coast NSW area , might pay to get someone to have a quick look at it and make sure it has what the seller claims it does , just pick someone who isn't in the market for the same car though (My garages are full and Cooper S's are too common ) ...

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