it was "a" unit of measure when our cars were made - what's the listed capacity of an A series engine, or (just about) any English made engine? what temperature rating does a thermostat have? what thread is used on a spark plug? worse! what do the numbers on the sidewall of a tyre mean? here's an oddball for you - what's the thread on the back of a roundnose (SMITHS) speedo?

yes, personal preference - and the standard for of all-but-one country (that is still using imperial) - I don't like fahrenheit because I've never used it, I don't have an internal reference for it - I don't know what "too hot" is, but I do know that my thermostat is 88 degrees, and water boils at 100. I don't know if it's good or bad when someone says their temp gauge is reading 200F... I grew up metric and imperial for measuring, so I understand when someone says 3 metres plus 6 inches, but I can't count in yards. I can torque up a bolt in Nm or lb/ft. I can visually tell the difference between a 12mm, 1/2" and 13mm bolt head if you hold them up (individually, not side-by-side), I can do the same for metric and imperial threads.. though when I pump up my tyres I use PSI over KPa, because again, I don't have an internal reference for KPa. I also call the telescopic thing that goes between the suspension of a car and the body a "damper", not a "shock absorber", because it does the former, not the latter.

But... I don't like capillary gauges because a/ that kind of temp gauge is not standard on minis, it's aftermarket anyway, and would be 40+ years old (or american I guess), so if it doesn't work then why bother with it, 2/ I don't like how they get in the way in the engine bay, and iii/ you're attaching something solid (a fine metal tube) between something that moves (the engine) and something that doesn't (the car) - it's something else to break eventually..... and yes, I do still have a mechanical oil pressure gauge on my car, with 54 year old pipes and a 54 year old hose joining them. Long ago I converted my temp gauge to a servo so I could drive it from my ECU, I'll do the oil pressure gauge at some point and put a sensor on the motor, then feed oil pressure to the idiot light on the dashboard. My dad nearly pooped the motor in his Minor once when the oil capillary broke and it squirted all of the oil out without him realising. I guess at least a temp gauge doesn't have hot water inside it

Sorry cooperess, I'd follow the oil capillary too, but make sure you put a spiral in it to take up the flex

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Thanks Simon, very good answer. . Its a minefield.
I was in grade one when we changed to metric and can relate (mostly) to both units of measure - though could never get my head around minims/floz and mls. In my case, the gauges are smiths, 48+ years old (made in australia) and have been serviced/rebuilt by a instrument specialist - happy to use them with their short comings and were originally fitted (aftermarket obviously, by 1st owner) to my first mk2S purchased in 1976 (2nd owner).
BTW: from google "in Australia from 1 September 1972, only Celsius measurements were given for temperature ( UK changed in 1985). Similarly, wind speed was reported only in kilometres per hour (km/h) from 1 April 1973 and rainfall was reported in millimetres – with river depths, snow depths and waves reported in metres – from 1 January 1974."
You learn something new every day.....

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1970 Mk2 Cooper S under restoration

BTW they still sell TV's in inches.
simon k thanks for the spiral advice.