converting to 60's look...

[kilauea]

I'm toying with the idea of a mini cooper as my next project (205 gti rebuild nearly complete), so have been checking the ad's out. What I really want is a 60's, just-back-from-monte-carlo looking car, but don't really want to shell out for one.

Just wondering how easy it is to convert a more modern mini to the same spec?
Would the best route be to get a 90's mpi cooper and just convert the looks (is that possible?) or get a base model and do the whole thing?

Any advice / options / opinions?

Thanks.

[lewis1]

it can be done. With the later cars you will need to buy the rail to fit the sliding windowns, and then get perspex because the mk1 doors are different, u can buy mk1 grilles and moustaches and just bolt them on. The external door hinges can be bought from any good mini stockist and with a bit of patience etc mounted fine and used i believe. Then you need the mk1 light insert that you can buy again and weld in. Different boot skin to allow for the hinged number plate can be bought too.So yeah its doable, but by the time you have finished you could of bought a mk1 and then made that into a cooper rep.

[pistonring]

Dont forget 10" wheels which you will need a brake convertion for!

[lewis1]

pistonring said:

Dont forget 10" wheels which you will need a brake convertion for!

knew i had forgotten something! theres a few ways you can do it cheap though, like the ford fiesta caliper mod etc

[guru_1071]

most people will just fit the front grill kit (easy) and the rear light conversion plates (fairly cheap, but will need paint) and the rear number plate holder (easy - just screw it to the mk3 boot lid)

converting the doors to external hinges is a lot of work to do it correctly and you have to get the glass made for it (perspex is rubbish as it scratches so easy and looks rubbish)

the brakes are easy - a full conversion kit is @500 quid, a kit to convert a 12" kit is about 300 - this way its done with proper stuff, so no insurance issues or problems down the line - finding fiesta calipers and the carriwers is expensive now, and they arent really that good (someone i know did a back to back test with the same pads)

[smash]

Fit the mk1 grille after removing the lip from the bonnet of course! (or using a mini van bonnet as the hinges are the later alignment).

Getting back up to speed with mine now - it already had the rear lights done (which do look great ) but I bought a mk1 boot as the mk3 just didn't look right to me (it's the molding for the number plate carrier that's the major difference). Rather than stick the sliding side windows on a hlafway house looks wise would be to put the stainless frame trims on for the early s look (the major mini spares places have them)

Edited by smash on Wednesday 15th July 12:18

[CooperS]

Something to consider is what will appear once you start this work.

I.e. bodywork repair/replacement.

Once you start scratching the surface that itch can be hard to stop and you'll end up doing a full rebuild.

Just a thought

[R4NDY]

Remove lip from bonnet and fit mk1 grille and surround.

Fit some mk2 lights to the rear and the mk1/2 number plate light/hanger.

Fit scripted badge to bootlid to try cover previous number plate light holes.

Fit some group 2 arches with chrome strip down the side and some 10" minilights (and s brakes)

http://www.shannons.com.au/library/images/auctions...

http://www.btinternet.com/~laurence.pitt/SPOM4.JPG

http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/0...

(Google images)