Mk2 S partial resto...

[P5Nij]

Took my late '68 1275 S down to Napton, Warks a few weeks ago to get some bodywork / paintwork done, thought I'd post a pic of progress so far... originally I just wanted to have the front end done but you know how these things go once you start stripping paint off - the closing panels under the scuttle corners and at each end of the rear valance were non existant, and the inner A-panels were only tacked on top and bottom instead of all the way down....! It looked pretty good before the paint came off but the more you dig the more there is to find. Plenty of work to do yet but the chap who's doing it is on the case and loves doing Minis anyway, plus he's already done some stirling work on my Rover P6 so I know he can do it right. It's not going to be cheap but I think in the long run it's worth doing it properly, I doubt if we'll ever sell it as it's such a good one to drive, I've had two Mk2 998 Coopers and this is my second 1275 S, but it's by far the best of the lot in so many ways. Colour is Island Blue / White, we did think about going the whole hog and changing the colour, possibly to a period montone shade like they used on Radfords etc just to be a little different from the BMC shades (Jaguar Dark Blue / Rolls Royce Regal Red / Maroon or even plain black) but that would mean taking the engine out and involve more Mini tokens... we're not expecting to have it back this side of Christmas but I'm missing driving it....



The Dunlop D1s will be staying put whatever colour the car ends up in and there are some nice period extras to go back on once it's painted... Benelite grille with spotlamps (came off a Radford Mini DeVille!), wing mirrors etc.

[guru_1071]

yikes!

ive got a mk1 that really needs a pair of wings, i wont even touch them as i know that removing them will end up it looking like this!

[iSore]

Typical Mini resto - these cars were going rusty when they were 5 years old. Many years ago we found and restored a 1964 1071S that had belonged to Francis Rossi from the Quo. It looked like a very solid shell unitil the sandblaster finished with it.....Jaaaayzus..........
I had that one as well as a 1965 970 S that I rebuilt from scratch and an Island blue 1967 Mark 11 Cooper. The Dunlop D1 alloys are epic and must stay!
I'm not into the Mini scene at all, but I do appreciate a nice early one (i.e pre '71).

[Pixel-Snapper]

The dreaded I'll just have a look see what's under here...

Nice looking project though and great classic colour.

[P5Nij]

It was a real shock to see it in this state when we walked through the door, but I was sort of expecting a lot worse! The good thing is it's all going to be done properly - I don't want to have to do it twice in my lifetime, if I can help it.

Dunlops are staying right where thy are - no fear ;O)