Hi all. My 1275LS needs a paint.

It currently is a metallic blue ford colour (blueprint) that isn't too bad but some rusty bits appearing mean it may need a bare metal job started in the next 12 months or so.

So the question is do I leave it non standard, return it to the original nugget gold or paint it Hi ho silver. I like the silver best but wasn't sure if it will affect originality. I notice the earlier 1275LS's I have seen are gold and the later ones I have seen are silver. This is an earlier one.

The upholstery and interior would be re-done to match the colour.

Any thoughts appreciated.

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Cheers
Alec
1275LS - July 78 - XNFAD18Y/102918

I would get it done in the colour it was originally. I keeps it's Value better. And make sure who ever mixes the colour they get it right. I have seen many LS 1275s re painted and the colours on most of them are mot well matched at all. I also have the proper shape LS stripes for them too if you need any. I have seen some on cars which are the wrong shape too. Mine were made on measurements from an original car.
Just noticed the Body number on yours is slightly before the one I had mine was 102969. It was hi ho sliver. Yours is a very early one.

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

I once owned the 4th Last built.....




It was silver and I preferred the silver, and the red and black interior looked much better in my opinion, but I'm also a great believer in maintaining originality.

I would certainly at the very least use one of the original colours.

Tough decision.

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68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

I think this car ended up in Tassie and suffered an electrical fire that killed it!

When you own a 1275LS you own part of Mini history...so few built and the ultimate incarnation of the Aussie mini. They really were the Lux GT!

Keep it / make it original.

Did you get that info from my post here http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=59105&highlight=4th+last+1275, or from another source.

If you know any more please let me know

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68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

my vote = back to nugget gold, I think any car that has survived bascially intact for this long deserves to be as it's maker intended, if however, the engine number doesn't match and it's been modified over the years it's fair game

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'62 Morris 850 (Marion)
'65 Mini Delux - sleeper 1275/S discs (Ms Plum)
'69 Vanden Plas Princess 1300
'71 Wolseley 1300
'74 Austin 1300 Countryman
'94 XJ6 Sport 3.2
'04 Rover 75 CDTi

The engine number isn't 12H902 its 12H87UH. Matt Read said it looked like the right block for an LS motor but thought because of the number it might be a moke engine. I was trying to find out if it was put in a the factory as it was an early one but RTA couldn't give me the original rego details and no one else seems to have the history.

When I do the repaint I will re-do the engine so if I can get a 12H902 I may stick that in it unless someone can tell me the 12H87U is the original one. It seems illogical that the 12H87UH is the original as everyone is adamant that they only had 12H902's but it was Leyland in the dying days of the Mini and was early in the 1275LS production run so who knows.

Any help is appreciated. At this stage I am leaning towards to going back to gold. My other option was to sell the car and obtain a silver one to restore. I have one lined up but haven't taken the plunge yet...

Mind you, I found out I got a payrise yesterday so may keep this one and buy a second (the missus wouldn't approve though ).

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Cheers
Alec
1275LS - July 78 - XNFAD18Y/102918

I think this is a very valid point for any car.

I am a little biased. I had a nugget gold 1275LS.



I voted to go back to nugget gold!

I have to say i also love the hi ho silver, but i just loved my gold one. Go for gold! :lol

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'66 BRG Morris Mini Deluxe 60HP ATW

Go for gold.....Although if the car is not entirely original, I think a variation
of the original colour would not detract from it's value.. eg. a little bit of fine
metallic or dare I suggest Commodore Gold Mica.

There is no point in painting a silver car gold or a gold car silver. There was a few things that were different in the interior of the cars that related to the outside colour.

Hi Alec,
In my opinion very few people would say " I wouldn't buy that Mini because is supposed to be gold and now it is silver" As long as you choose a mini colour that is in keeping with that model you should be fine. Just remember, you are just the current caretaker and as long as you keep all the car's parts that are matched to its original set-up (that is of course if it is still in its original guise), you can pass these onto the next caretaker who should either put it back or keep to pass on again.

Just my thoughts

I like the Gold though.

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"Investing my Super in a Cooper" &
"Re-living my Surfing Past in a Woody"

I guess the pill here is that the body is there, the mechanicals are there, the engine is arguable as it is 12H87UH not 12H902 and the interior has the original seats but they have been re-upholstered different from original. I am about to return the dash to original by removing the home made timber one a PO installed.

So overall, to get it back to original (silver or gold) it needs a new interior including door cards.

I will do it gold. Last question is to chase out a 12H902 or leave in the donk it has now.. It has a HS6 carby by the way..

Thanks for all the input.

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Cheers
Alec
1275LS - July 78 - XNFAD18Y/102918

Don't forget that if you are going to put it back to the original Nugget Gold,then it's not only the outside you have to do,but everything inside,ie boot floor, wheel arches,doors,inside floor,engine compartment,firewall.

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The firewall is the correct colour . The Dulon sticker and the lazy PO not painting the firewall are how I know it was Nugget Gold.

It will be a complete disassemble and rotisserie job.. I don't do things by halves. I will be chasing a lot of detail from Ausmini members to get it right.

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Cheers
Alec
1275LS - July 78 - XNFAD18Y/102918