Does anyone know how close the reproduction black binnacles from minispares are to the originals

http://minispares.com/product/Classic/G ... o%20search



(I know it needs the chrome surround and screws or blinker holes and trimming etc)


Also I assume Australian binnacles would be exactly the same as the English Binnacles?

Thanks Bubba

_________________

Are you after one Bubba?

Yeah I am, I'm after a mk1 one. But I know most second hand ones are cracked.

_________________

Mini sports in South Australia have both types - a reproduction of the original mark 1 type and a repro (mini sparest/minisport) of the latter type that screws into the firewall.
Not sure how close to the originals they are?
Which type are you after?
Rod

_________________
1967 New British Racing Green Mk1 Cooper S, 1967 Lake Green 1275 MG Midget, 1969 Jet Red / Crystal White Mk2 Cooper S, 1972 Gambier Turquoise Clubman GT (ex police), 1972 Camino Gold Clubman GT, 2009 JCW Challenge Edition, Megane RS265, Clio RS220.

mk1 type.

Someone has given me contact details for a lad in the UK who makes perfect copies to use their words.

I know mk1's are hard to come by as they are often cracked. But I am still going to need the mounting brackets.

_________________

Does anyone know if the English binnacles are the same as the Australian binnacles?

_________________

Yes you'll need mounting brackets that go either side of the cream binnacle and a oval steel plate as well. The cream binnacle will need to be in good nick too because although not seen it takes all the weight of the whole thing.

When considering mk1 binnicles keep in mind you can't see much of the top and bottom so if they are cracked there it may not be that noticeable.

I would have thought our mk1 binnicles came from UK early on. The mk2 ones prob got made here.

Tip: courteously John Smidt. Old ratty mk1 binnicles come up nice with boot polish.

_________________

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

Bearing in mind though that repro white binnacles are now on the market. I do have a Mk 1 black oval binnacle and the steel oval mounting plate, but will only sell in person to any interested buyer (so they can see what they'll be getting).

Bubbacluby,
The pic on your original post is not a MK1 binnacle. It is a MK2/Mini K/UK later type binnacle.
I bought a MK1 reproduction one from Minisport in Adelaide.
It is an exact replica rumoured to be made by Williams of F1 fame.
The only slight difference that I can see is the actual finish is slightly more low sheen than my cracked original.
The worst thing about the crack is it was my fault and it still hurts whenever I look at it.
My original has an almost flat finish but this may be because its close to 50 year old plastic.
A bit of a rub with a finger gives a bit of a shine to it.
My memory isn't that good that I can remember exactly what it looked like on day one.
The repro one is as close as you are going to get these days.
But there is always going to be an NOS one that has been wrapped up and sitting on a shelf since 1961 somewhere.

Regards
RonR

_________________
68 build Mk1 Cooper S
72 Clubman GT project. Total restoration required

I am also on the lookout for a MK1 Binnacle.
No luck with the guy in the UK who supposedly has the repro ones. I will keep trying his email.
Does anyone have a part number for the ones sold by Minisport SA?

14A9815
On website it is under interior>Dash kits/cards
Cheers
Rod

_________________
1967 New British Racing Green Mk1 Cooper S, 1967 Lake Green 1275 MG Midget, 1969 Jet Red / Crystal White Mk2 Cooper S, 1972 Gambier Turquoise Clubman GT (ex police), 1972 Camino Gold Clubman GT, 2009 JCW Challenge Edition, Megane RS265, Clio RS220.

All Cooper S's built in Australian used UK manufactured binnacles. They were never made in Australia, presumably because the tooling and manufacturing costs made it uneconomical for the relatively small volume required.

I don't know if there was a third version of that oval style binnacle used on UK assembled cars, if that's what is behind your question.

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

I have a repro one, as mine was cracked... to look at I can not tell the difference

_________________

I thought it was just a matter of pulling out a stanley knife and trimming it and putting 4 screws into it to make it as per mk1... but maybe not.....

Thanks Doug.

Dave E im sending you a message

Thanks Brett

_________________

In case it helps, the part number for the Mark 1 S oval binnacle is 14A9815 and Mark 2 binnacle is 24A2702. Of course the Mark 1 setup requires a round white binnacle and other bits to make a complete assembly.

See here - http://www.somerfordmini.co.uk/eshop/in ... age&id=124

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