Greetings from Cape Town

[abri]

I'm Abri. I got my first mini in 2005 but I wanted one long before that. I live in Cape Town and am an active member of the Cape Town Mini Owners' Club. My mini history is as follows, starting with the latest and going back to the first:

1967 Morris Cooper S 1275
1963 Morris 850 Standard
1967 Austin Cooper S 1275
1967 Austin Cooper S 1275
1975 Leyland Mini Deluxe 1098
1981 Leyland Clubman 1275 E
1965 Austin Mini 850
1974 Leyland Mini Deluxe 1098
1975 Leyland Mini Deluxe 1098

The most minis I've ever owned simultaneously was four, but it was too painful to let them sleep outside in the wet Cape Town winter, so I reduced it to three. Since about 2010 I've progressively become more interested in Mk1s.

[Jared Mk3]

Welcome back Abri That's quite a list of cars you've owned.

[theMINIguy]

Three '67 S's !!! Awesome. Hope you'll post a pic or two of them.

[DomMINIque]

Pics pretty please.

[Vinay-RS]

Was hoping we could do some drag racing between the lights today when you revved your engine

[Miniac]

Bloody hell Abri, I knew you were into your Cooper's but I didn't know that you'd had so many of them already. Good to have you back with us again, its always good to have a voice of knowledge around, especially for when I finally start work on my ex rally 997 Cooper.

[abri]

Thanks for the kind words guys

Some pics of the current fleet:

My daily driver 1963 Morris 850 Standard


My restored 1967 Austin Cooper S


The current hole in my wallet....1967 Morris Cooper S 1275. This is the state I bought it in. Its previous owner had spent a lot of money buying lots of extras and bling for it. Over the last six months I've sold it all to fund a complete rebuilt of the motor. This has not gone without hiccups, but the newly resleeved block should be ready this week, so hopefully assembly can start soon.

I've been contemplating what sort of look to go for with this one. I'm quite tempted by a racier/sportier look, maybe with widened S rims and Aussie Cooper S arches, but there are other urgent needs such as the interior that needs to be redone. I'd love a full Newton Commercial set (better go rob a bank then) and I already know where to get the right carpet. Will do it in small chunks I guess.

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Bloody hell Abri, I knew you were into your Cooper's but I didn't know that you'd had so many of them already. Good to have you back with us again, its always good to have a voice of knowledge around, especially for when I finally start work on my ex rally 997 Cooper.

Most of my research has been into the S because that's what I've been trying to restore, but I have collected some reference images of Coopers as well. Happy to help where I can.

[Dion]

Very very nice collection.

[Cooper1275]

Hi Abri,

Nice to see you back on the new forum, REALLY nice collection of cars, first time I have seen photos of the project S.

Since I will be going that way soon too, wont you post your experience of rebuilding the 1275 S motor? I remember you had oil consumption issues on the first rebuild etc etc.

Regards,

Craig

[Jared Mk3]

That Benelite grille is stunning!