07-04-2016, 01:12 AM
A few more pictures, dragged the non-runner up the drive (yellow) to take these.
The green car is the original subject car of the thread, previously owned by Marthinus in Cape Town, a 1977 model.
The yellow 1976 car was owned by Steve Young of the Queensland Mini Car Club around thirty years ago when I was a member, I remember him telling me of the car he had at home which he was proud of ("it has some rust") however never saw the car in person.
After his passing around five years ago it was sold by his widow Kay to a man at the Gold Coast, south of here in Brisbane. I was aware of the sale but not to where it had gone. Thursday before last I was carrying some passengers in a bus for an excursion to the Gold Coast and dropped in on Mark and Anita at the Classic Car Clinic in my break. I was surprised Mark knew what a GTS was, he explained he had purchased a Cooper S from a local man with one. My first question was "Is it rusty?" Apparently it had been offered for sale, but the only interest shown by some low life known to remove vehicles illegally so withdrawn.
Saturday I was back at the coast for a visit with family, and took the trailer "just in case". We agreed on a price, and Sunday I returned on my way home to collect the car. It is fairly original, seats are hard and the rust is not extensive, the worst on the bonnet where the soundproofing must have held moisture. Early on the car had a Tectyl rustproofing treatment, and it must have worked, I can't complain about a bit of rust at the bottom of the passenger door. Last registration label expired on the 8th month 1987, so just on ten years use from new. Perhaps one repaint, or two coats from factory as the top powdery coat is peeling off the lower painted surface. I think the windscreen sticker was from a Sydney challenge series.
Colour is a murky pale yellow similar to Camino Gold. Head and carbs were removed, most likely to get the Cooper S going in years past (also from Steve Young) however a replacement head came with the car. I will need to sort some carbs. Bore wear does not look too bad. Wheels had been sold to another local a few years ago, were the original 12" steel with 60 deg taper nuts and plastic covers. I have put some Rover wheels on to get it rolling (no brakes, calipers removed). Engine turns over, clutch frozen solid. Has had a tap in rear as boot closure isn't quite right. R/H tank Cooper S (or Oz GT) type, fitted after factory. Steering wheel rim toasted - must have been a leather look vinyl.
I have no idea how many of these are in Australia, apart from the recent import in Canberra for sale the word seems to be there may be four or five others. Marthinus' car will be first off the rank, my main thought with Steve's is to preserve it for the moment. Resources are a little limited with the current job, and the house is also receiving attention so progress will be as able.
The green car is the original subject car of the thread, previously owned by Marthinus in Cape Town, a 1977 model.
The yellow 1976 car was owned by Steve Young of the Queensland Mini Car Club around thirty years ago when I was a member, I remember him telling me of the car he had at home which he was proud of ("it has some rust") however never saw the car in person.
After his passing around five years ago it was sold by his widow Kay to a man at the Gold Coast, south of here in Brisbane. I was aware of the sale but not to where it had gone. Thursday before last I was carrying some passengers in a bus for an excursion to the Gold Coast and dropped in on Mark and Anita at the Classic Car Clinic in my break. I was surprised Mark knew what a GTS was, he explained he had purchased a Cooper S from a local man with one. My first question was "Is it rusty?" Apparently it had been offered for sale, but the only interest shown by some low life known to remove vehicles illegally so withdrawn.
Saturday I was back at the coast for a visit with family, and took the trailer "just in case". We agreed on a price, and Sunday I returned on my way home to collect the car. It is fairly original, seats are hard and the rust is not extensive, the worst on the bonnet where the soundproofing must have held moisture. Early on the car had a Tectyl rustproofing treatment, and it must have worked, I can't complain about a bit of rust at the bottom of the passenger door. Last registration label expired on the 8th month 1987, so just on ten years use from new. Perhaps one repaint, or two coats from factory as the top powdery coat is peeling off the lower painted surface. I think the windscreen sticker was from a Sydney challenge series.
Colour is a murky pale yellow similar to Camino Gold. Head and carbs were removed, most likely to get the Cooper S going in years past (also from Steve Young) however a replacement head came with the car. I will need to sort some carbs. Bore wear does not look too bad. Wheels had been sold to another local a few years ago, were the original 12" steel with 60 deg taper nuts and plastic covers. I have put some Rover wheels on to get it rolling (no brakes, calipers removed). Engine turns over, clutch frozen solid. Has had a tap in rear as boot closure isn't quite right. R/H tank Cooper S (or Oz GT) type, fitted after factory. Steering wheel rim toasted - must have been a leather look vinyl.
I have no idea how many of these are in Australia, apart from the recent import in Canberra for sale the word seems to be there may be four or five others. Marthinus' car will be first off the rank, my main thought with Steve's is to preserve it for the moment. Resources are a little limited with the current job, and the house is also receiving attention so progress will be as able.
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