Hi all.I want to replace the front nose panel on my 1969 MK11 Cooper S as part of my resto as the origional front is pretty untidy with lots of little dents.I have looked at our Australian mini parts suppliers & they only seem to have the Mini non Cooper S front noses.Does anybody know if this is the nose that you use & modify it ie. diagional brace for oil cooler or is an origional nose available somewere? Would you buy the Heritage panels or the repo panels?Appreciate any help.
Cheers kath.

In your position I would buy a Heritage panel. There isn't an S one so you need to transfer your angled brace across, or buy a new one and fit that.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

My 2 cents worth. If possible I would try and keep the original. A replacement panel could make people think that the car had a front end smash. My car had a replacement front apron before my time and it does let the rest of the car down.

I WILL HAVE ACCESS TO A SPOT WELDER SO I WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP IT ORIGIONAL LOOKING.I WILL BUY A NEW DIAGIONAL BRACE,BUT IT LOOKS LIKE I WILL HAVE TO CUT OUT THE UPRIGHT BRACE ON THE NEW PANEL.I HAVE TAKEN LOTS OF PHOTOS OF THE FRONT SO I WILL HAVE BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS.SO YOU GUYS WOULD GO WITH THE HERITAGE PANELS?
HAS ANYBODY FITTED THIS PANEL & ANY PROBLEMS DOING SO IT LOOKS STRAIGHT FORWARD.
CHEERS KATH.

Apparently the actual front panels differ from originals anyway.

I think the behive lense section is larger on the replacement panels

Also the steel behind the grill has a large sectioned hole in it and originally they didn't.

I would be trying to save the original.

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Yes, that's true. The light bases are not the same as well as an extra cut out in lower corner of the radiator side grill opening. The brace will come across, if not exactly the same. On and off they had an odd little rivet which I think was there to tack it in place through assembly or similar.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Lots of extra holes across the top as well. Slot for cable bonnet pull also. This build thread has some photos of him altering the new type front panel.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=60051
Incredible build.

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1963 Morris 850 Smoke Grey
1963 Morris 850 Shadow Blue
1965 Morris Mini Smooth Van
1966 Morris Mini Van
1969 Morris Mini Deluxe Resto
5/72 Clubman Gt

Now I am really unsure whether to replace or repair.The original front is really ratty & the RH guard not very good as well.After looking at the 66 Cooper repair I think I may go with a heritage nose & guard.Thanks for the help'
Kath.

I went through the same anguish with my car and ended up repairing the original which included removing the bumper support bracket to repair rust in this area. I made a new bumper support and fitted. The final result was well worth the effort although it took a long time.

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

I would really try and save the original, the new heritage panels are just plain wrong. A 69 cooper s is the hardest of all the s's to prove whether they are genuine or not. I would far prefer to spend the money on panel beating than replacing the panel and your car will retain more originality.

Don't you think there would be a high percentage of Cooper S of all years not just 69 that would of had repairs do to accident damage over the last 40+ years, are we to say they are not genuine or original because they have had panel replacement due to damage or rust I hope not.
I worked in the repair business back in the 60,s and 70,s restoring classics and we actually hand made replacement panels, are those great cars worth any less the simple answer should be no, as long as the car has its original identification and as much history as you can gather, I can see no problem.
My car needs a new front due to prior accident damage and rough repairs surely its better than welding in bits and plates and applying bog.

My Rant anyways

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1970 Mk 2 Cooper S

I agree.

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1969 Cooper "S"
1967 Mini Deluxe
1973 Clubman Van (the fleet spare)
1978 ex 1275 LS ("Wizard" Eaton Supercharged)
2015 HSV GenF GTS(occasional drive & tow car)
2019 MINI F55 Cooper S

If it's really bad try find a good second hand one, I did as mine was mostly bog.