Cooperman Retires
Discussion
I just thought that I would mention that I'm officially retiring from business at the end of December (hooray - I've been waiting 50 years for this!). That means I'll have more time to play with my Minis and, if asked, to build some Mini engines for other people. So, if anyone needs an engine re-build I may be in a position to help for a reasonable price. Just privately email me. I can collect and deliver within an 80 mile-or-so radius of Cambridge.
Ted, I'm not really advertising, just offering a bit of help to fellow Mini-nuts.
Ted, I'm not really advertising, just offering a bit of help to fellow Mini-nuts.
Well, thanks for that.
I've got the '66 Mini 850 to completely restore with my Grandson, my Cooper 'S' to keep in full rally trim and to compete in, my Rover 214Si rally car to keep prepared, my Grandson's 1061cc Mayfair+ to help maintain and improve bit-by-bit and, hopefully, some 3rd party BMC 'A-Series' engine building work to just add a bit to the old pension and investments and for somewhere to hide from 'her indoors'.
I reckon to build one to two engines for other people each month - everyone a bespoke unit to a pre-agreed specification - and, hopefully, that's not too optimistic as I won't be charging the £40+ per hour that I hear mentioned - nothing like that in fact. More like half that figure which, I think, is very fair (who agrees?).
I've got the '66 Mini 850 to completely restore with my Grandson, my Cooper 'S' to keep in full rally trim and to compete in, my Rover 214Si rally car to keep prepared, my Grandson's 1061cc Mayfair+ to help maintain and improve bit-by-bit and, hopefully, some 3rd party BMC 'A-Series' engine building work to just add a bit to the old pension and investments and for somewhere to hide from 'her indoors'.
I reckon to build one to two engines for other people each month - everyone a bespoke unit to a pre-agreed specification - and, hopefully, that's not too optimistic as I won't be charging the £40+ per hour that I hear mentioned - nothing like that in fact. More like half that figure which, I think, is very fair (who agrees?).
miniman said:
All the best for your retirememt, Peter. Sounds like you've got a good set of projects to keep you busy! Fancy painting a Dolly Sprint for me? 
I've always fancied doing a Dolly Sprint engine build, but it's not an area in which I have specific know-how. However, my good friend Jim Hilton has what was described as the best Dolly Sprint in the World. Maybe you know of him. It's a dark maroon metallic car to concourse standard with a really good engine which he built himself.Any engine work you have I'll be pleased to discuss with you.
AndersonClassics said:
Hi All,
I know we hate re opening a thread however I’ve got an important reason to do so, Is there anyone who can help me in getting in touch with Peter Valentine, as to my knowledge he was close with the late Peter Silva and still has knowledge of racing with him back in the 60s and getting his mini set up for rallying at his garage, “Peter Silva Motors” of which I’m writing up the history of and would very much appreciate Mr Valentine being involved with as he knew Mr Silva personally. I hope somebody can help me as I’m running out of luck getting in contact with him.
Many Thanks,
Henry
Hello Henry,I know we hate re opening a thread however I’ve got an important reason to do so, Is there anyone who can help me in getting in touch with Peter Valentine, as to my knowledge he was close with the late Peter Silva and still has knowledge of racing with him back in the 60s and getting his mini set up for rallying at his garage, “Peter Silva Motors” of which I’m writing up the history of and would very much appreciate Mr Valentine being involved with as he knew Mr Silva personally. I hope somebody can help me as I’m running out of luck getting in contact with him.
Many Thanks,
Henry
I think you wanted to contact me. My personal email is petervalentine@gmail.com.
Peter Silva was indeed a close friend of mine and he and I had a lot of fun rallying.
Please let me know how I can help. I live not far from Huntingdon, so we could meet up if that might suit you.
Peter V.
Cooperman said:
Hello Henry,
I think you wanted to contact me. My personal email is petervalentine@gmail.com.
Peter Silva was indeed a close friend of mine and he and I had a lot of fun rallying.
Please let me know how I can help. I live not far from Huntingdon, so we could meet up if that might suit you.
Peter V.
Sorry Henry, I typed my email address in incorrectly.I think you wanted to contact me. My personal email is petervalentine@gmail.com.
Peter Silva was indeed a close friend of mine and he and I had a lot of fun rallying.
Please let me know how I can help. I live not far from Huntingdon, so we could meet up if that might suit you.
Peter V.
My email addres is:
petervalentine100@gmail.com
Hope to hear from you soon.
Peter
I just finished the very full restoration of my Grandson's 1985 Mayfair which has been rebuilt, with his help as well, as a tribute to the 1960's 998 Cooper. It went for MoT today and passed with no advisories. Now it just needs a bit of tweeking of the carbs and timing - fine tuning really.
We fitted sliding windows, a centre 3-gauge speedo, MK.1 Grille, rear lights & boot lid. It has 10" Exacton 5" wheels and 'S' 7.5" brakes.
Colour is Ford Radiant Red with a black roof.
Next year I want to build a bigger engine. Now that 1275 blocks are getting so expensive I intend to try something a bit different. I have a 998 block and rods and I also have a 1098 crankshaft. With well-oversize pistons I want to bore to give around 1180 cc, fit a 12G940 gas-flowed head, with the block pocketed for valve clearance, and an Evo001 cam. With the current twin HS2 carbs and Cooper 3 branch freeflow ex. manifold it should go well. Mid-range torque will be great and it will drive as well, or better, than a fairly standard 1275 at much lower cost.
So you can see that I'm not having a quiet retirement and it is my 81st birthday this week!
By the way, I never heard back from the guy who wanted to contact me about the late Peter Silva (Anderson Classics I think it was) - strange.
We fitted sliding windows, a centre 3-gauge speedo, MK.1 Grille, rear lights & boot lid. It has 10" Exacton 5" wheels and 'S' 7.5" brakes.
Colour is Ford Radiant Red with a black roof.
Next year I want to build a bigger engine. Now that 1275 blocks are getting so expensive I intend to try something a bit different. I have a 998 block and rods and I also have a 1098 crankshaft. With well-oversize pistons I want to bore to give around 1180 cc, fit a 12G940 gas-flowed head, with the block pocketed for valve clearance, and an Evo001 cam. With the current twin HS2 carbs and Cooper 3 branch freeflow ex. manifold it should go well. Mid-range torque will be great and it will drive as well, or better, than a fairly standard 1275 at much lower cost.
So you can see that I'm not having a quiet retirement and it is my 81st birthday this week!
By the way, I never heard back from the guy who wanted to contact me about the late Peter Silva (Anderson Classics I think it was) - strange.
Gassing Station | Classic Minis | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff