Back in the 60's when the Coopers came out with white roofs people started painting their roofs white to make it "look like a Cooper" People that did it thought it looked cool but the purists frowned upon it as cheapening the Cooper.

What is the view today? - My car at some time has had the roof painted (very poorly I might say) and as time approaches to do something about the paintwork I was wondering if I should go back to original or paint the roof white properly. I know "It's my car and I can paint it what ever colour I like" Just wanted to know what people think.

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

like you've said, ultimately it comes down to what you think will look better. it's not like your efforts are going to cheapen coopers now...

however, the counter-argument. Lots of people have said to me that my roof should be white, because "minis are supposed to have white rooves" so having a matched colour roof could be the way to go. it really depends what it looks like, but at the end of the day what you prefer is what wins.

a contrasting colour would be fun. eg i love red minis with black rooves...

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78 Leyland Mini - Prince

White roof looks the business

Do you want a car a few people love...
or one that you love?
i say paint it whatever YOU like. there is no depreciation value anymore.
and you can always paint again it next year

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Miniworx Centre 0883741299
Sooperdooperminicooperexpertengineering
Online BMW Mini Shop

what colour is the rest of the car?
ultimatly it is up to you but maybe if your worried you might cop anything from the purists then maybe try choose another contrasting colour?

back in the day, my dad had a white 850 that he painted the roof burgandy to be a little different (wish i could find the photos)

*btw this isnt a stab at anyone, just my 2c*

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00' Forester GT

Shadow Blue - Is there a specific white used on the roof and how much paint would it take?

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

I have just had mine painted and yes, I chose white over red. The red is the colour on the latest BWM's and the roof is Mercedes Benz Classic White. It's a softer white and it has been around since the 1920's I'm told. It looks fantastic.

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1964 Cooper UK 970 S 'CZ 4289'

almost every bini has a white roof, so yea paint it how you like it.

Some early coopers has a platinum roof with shadow blue

im a little bit biased but i like the white roof, it seems very 'mini-ish'. however if i was to repaint mine, i may not go down that path as I already cop alot of crap for having a 'typical' red clubman with white roof.

Ultimately i'd say paint it whatever colour you will love not what anyone else would like to look at.

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so why not do the opposite? white clubby with red roof?

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Here am I sitting in my tin can far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do...



“A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster.” - Jeremy Clarkson

lol that would actually probably look good, but i would have a darker red than the one i have now.

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thats gonna be the color of my next mini white with red or gambier roof

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Here am I sitting in my tin can far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do...



“A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster.” - Jeremy Clarkson

I say go for it , most people call every round nosed mini a cooper so the colour isn't going to confuse them any more than it's shape . You aren't rebadging it as a cooper , just pputting a popular colour on the roof and I've heard (anyone else ?) that it was possible to order a deluxe or K with a white roof as well .

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It would have been possible the buy one with the different colour roof. It may not have been a factory option but the dealer could have got it done if he wanted to clinch the deal. At the same a dealer may have refused to do it if he was not interested.

Back in the late 70s when I did work experience at a Holden dealers they fitted a new one tonner with a Premier front because that is what the customer wanted. It was not a Holden option and it was not a proper dealer fitted option, it was just a seperate deal to sell a car.

If I was going to do it to an early Mini I would try and pick a contrasting colour from the same year. For Shadow blue I would probably go with Nurburg White. (I wonder what Kara Cream looks like?) as they are both 63 colours.