Hi Guys,
I found a shell of a mimi in my neighbours paddock. It had been striped and repainted yellow.It has been there for about 4 years. It has a boot with Austin Cooper on it. The only numbers we can find are on the radiator bracket which is 39228 and on the left hand side of the firewall which is very hard to see. Its either 39265 or 39285. What else should i be looking for? My 16 and 14 year old sons are keen to rebuild it. It will make a difference if its a genuine Cooper or a made up version. any help would be appreciated. I have some photos but can't seem to upload them
Thanks Huso

All minis made in Australia for the Australian market were badged as Morris. If it is a genuine Austin Cooper it would likely have been imported. If you can add some more photos we might be able to identify it

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I would be looking for the body build type stamping.

Next to the number on the radiator shroud there may be a stamped M2/15 for a standard mini or M2/50 for a cooper.

First thing to look at if it is imported do the drain holes in the roof look like they are done with a hammer and chisel

An Austin Cooper would probably have an ID tag, that reads "FExxxxxxx" welded to the inner guard above the radiator shroud ... As mentioned, the drain holes in the corner of the roof channels are an instant give away....

Cheers, Ian

And make sure you have ownership of the vehicle before you spend money on it.

Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the info. I will check it out on wednesday and get back to you
Huso

Here are some more photos. Hope it helps.
Huso

Hi Huso,
Looking at your photos I am 99% sure it is not an English shell let alone a Cooper, Sorry. The shell does not have a "FE..... " (Front End) number plate on the inner guard, No "Body number" plate on the slam panel or "F......" number plate on the floor. There is also no sign of a "Chassis Plate" having been attached to the Radiator Shroud. English shells don't have any numbers stamped on the firewall or Radiator shroud. Also the drain points on the gutter would be a spoon shape cut out. Australian shells had either 2 holes drilled or very early 850's had a square cut out on the front with 2 holes at rear. It does not even have any features showing it could be an Australian Cooper.

Looks like a sliding window shell but i can't see anywhere on the bulkhead where their is holes for a aus tag

My eyes aren't great but I can't see that it was an 850 gear change. Anyone with 20/20?

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The bitterness of poor quality (or Crappy Workmanship) remains LONG AFTER the Sweet Taste of Low Price is forgotten.

The ID tag holes may have been filled up. The interior photo of the dash shows 2 marks where the rivets would have come through.

my guess its a late 63 or early 64 shell, going by the numbers provided

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If you reference Parnell's book "Original Mini Cooper & Cooper S" page 53 you will note that at Body Number 37334 dated February 1964 a change was made to the fitted horns.
Assuming the number quoted is the body number then your car is Feb/Mar 64. One slight problem though the vehicle is fitted with a MkII grille. You have not shown a side view which would indicate the style of door opening and doors fitted.
Food for thought

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John Sneddon
0408 431 807
1963 Morris Cooper
1965 Morris 850
1968 Morris Cooper S

It has heater hooks.
850s and deluxes didn't have heaters.
Could be a Cooper of some sort.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

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