G'day all,

Seems that most info about "replicas" of Cooper Ss is about the Mk2. Is it because there are less of them, and they are rated of higher value than a Mk1 that more people make them (and try and pass them off as genuine)?

Does this mean that you will be less likely to find a fake Mk1?

Just wondering.........

_________________
Cooper S Mk2
Cooper S Mk1
ex Cooper S Mk2, various Morris 1100s, 1300s, 1500s, Leyland Sherpa!

The reason theres so many "fake" MK2's around is that in 1969 they did'nt have ID plates fitted, makes it easier to make a replicate, saying that i've seen a few MK1 replicas around, one i've seen was so good i did'nt even know it was fake till the owner told me.

Doogie

_________________
I won Hay once, here's the pic to prove it..


Hay, it's not about the car, it's not about the venue, it's about the people that come here. Peter Dwyer, Mayor of Hay NSW.

There are lots of fakes of both types. I don't think that there is more of one than the other. But in recent times there is more easily available info to help people detect a fake.

These days, unless the car is a unrestored "barn find", I'm immediately skeptical of any cooper or 's' I see .
Is it just me, or do others think the same?

I'm more concerned at the Cooper Ss that were converted back to Deluxe in order to get them out of the showroom on cheaper insurance

_________________
"Show me the Mini!"

Well, I'd like to find one of those......with Cooper S ID plate of course!

But really just need a real Cooper S!

_________________
Cooper S Mk2
Cooper S Mk1
ex Cooper S Mk2, various Morris 1100s, 1300s, 1500s, Leyland Sherpa!

You do not find many people who have a fake admitting to it being one especially if they paid a packet for it. Even the so called experts have been fooled many times. I can not understand how there are so many Cooper S engines around, heaps more than Cooper Ss were ever produced. Finally as a mini enthusiast as long as the darn thing is a mini I do not care what sort and many agree with me. So what Joe blow has an S... well Mine is a nothing but still a mini and I love it regardless. Long live the Mini.

_________________
DID I MENTION THAT I AM THE BEST SUPPLIER FOR MINI ELECTRICAL PARTS AND REPAIRS?
"Let us remove your "SHORTS"

Roumours continue regarding the changing of used S's back to Mini K and flogging off the S parts for better prices than the whole car!!!!! Then mooving the car on as a MIni K.
Word is that this happend to a number of S's originally owned by NSW police
I know of two MiniKs with bodies that have all the correct S bits on them. Fuel pump breather grommet: correct spot welded tabs for the fuel breather pipes : correct strap mounting for RH fuel tank: numbers on the rain channel and the radiator shroud were both there but there has been an attempt to remove them. All the other identifying bits were there but these could have been added at some stage although they dont look as if they have. Both the cars I know of have drilled holes where clearly a sun shade had been fitted
Is this fact or fiction or just another story to add to the Mini lore?

_________________
Mk1 Cooper S
Mini K Rally car

"I can not understand how there are so many Cooper S engines around, heaps more than Cooper Ss were ever produced"

Spare parts department plus the Clubman GTs that were wrecked.

I have no problems with people building a Cooper S lookalike with a 1275, badges, paint etc if that is what they want to drive about in. And if sold as such that's OK too. We bought one a few years ago to drive, not look at.

But- the problems arise when they or others try to pass them off as an original Cooper S, for 2x or 3x the price, and buyers get burnt. This is straight out fraud, they should get a holiday at the Government's pleasure.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Do you still have access to these cars? If so there are a number of other things you can check in addition to the sun screen holes which would add weight to them being ex-NSW Police Cooper S:
1. Hole (usually patched) in the middle of the roof where the antenna was installed - can usually feel the patch through the headlining between the B pillars.
2. Reversing lights, comprising switch in place of gearbox reverse detent and modified rear turn indicator bulb assemblies to accept two wires.
3. Two speed wipers (a different wiring loom was used which included wires for wipers and reversing lights).
4. Bland original body colour (grey, white, beige).
5. Two small dents inside the top edge of drivers door resulting from Wibroc mirror mounting grub screws.
6. Two holes at left end of parcel shelf where brass Car ID tag was screwed.
7. Possibly holes in leading edge of front subframe where sumpguard was mounted.
8. Extra holes in drivers side inner guard where siren was mounted.
9. Three holes in triangular shape under passenger parcel shelf where AWA Carphone two-way radio bracket was installed.
10. Extra hole in handbrake mounting bracket to accomodate warning light switch (assuming switch itself is not present) and warning light on top right of oval instrument facia.

I haven't listed other modifications such as lowered seat frames and engine changes as these are easily added/removed. Of course holes can also be 'added' but the more holes in the areas I have listed adds more weight to an ex-Police vehicle claim. Unless you have documentation such as the vehicle handbook showing all the right numbers and NSW Police as original owners then you will never be 100% sure of its origin.

John Smidt (Mini King) is already on record (TME Police Mini issue) as having converted many ex-NSW Police Cooper S's to Mini K's.