Hi all, I just wanted to introduce myself as new to the forum. I have owned a couple of old Minis in my time, my favourite being my black Mini 1000 from 89. I, however, sold her back in the UK 10 years ago before moving to Sydney for 500 pounds.

I am now finally lucky enough to have been given the green light by the wife to purchase another Mini so am going through the excitement of "the search". Ideally we are keen to get our hands on a late 60's Copper S but have also considered a couple of the 1100 Ks. My question to the experts on here though is hopefully a simple one, one of the Cooper S that i am about to go and see doesn't have matching numbers but, the current owner has said " Its not a matching numbers car. Its about 30 numbers off which sometimes happened as i know someone who worked for bmc " Is this true as i've never heard of this before with any car.

Thanks to all in advance for the help. Hopefully i can get some pictures up soon. Also, if anyone knows of anyone keen to sell, please put me in touch ASAP.

Yes, the body and car number should not match, have a read of this
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=90843

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Matching numbers, by that you mean the engine number stamped on the ID plate of mk1 Cooper S's matching the engine number itself?

If so, it's rubbish they all match their original motor

Unless some apprentice misread a number or letter or accidently stamped the wrong one, which I could imagine occured at some point, but have never seen or heard of it happening.

Engine number on engine always matched engine on ID plate.

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Thats what i thought, engine number and number in ID plate should always match unless, obviously, it's not the original engine in the car. I guess not having the original engine would dramatically alter the value of the car or is this something that car be overlooked? Current engine seems to have had some major upgrade work recently adding to the overall power.

What Bubba said...

Not having the original engine MAY not devalue the car in certain eyes...if it is your thing to have a nice all original matching number car, fair enough...but if you want a car that has had some nice mods and improved performance and handling (for example)... you may wish to accept that car for what it is, assess its value in the current market and pay accordingly.

PS always ask if the original bits are available when confronted with a "bitsa"

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"Show me the Mini!"

If you want a genuine Cooper S then don't just go off the ID or compliance plate for authentication. There are dozens of things to check over. If you just want a car that looks like a Cooper S then numbers dont really matter. Just make sure it has been registered with the body numbers stamped into the car so you don't have rego issues.

Only 500 quid to move to Sydney?

Hey!!!! we were getting POMS for ten pounds back in the day

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"Show me the Mini!"

Hope its not this car your looking at (if you want genuine). http://www.quicksales.com.au/ad/untitle ... -701528369

Nice example of a bitsa if ever there was one!

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

It was...Is. I can no longer make it tonight but also just saw your post gtogreen1969 which is funny. I've been having doubts to be honest as to the how legit this car was, especially for that money. I've seen a few recently that were for sale HALF the price only 6 months ago...A fair few people out there trying to make some quick money i guess.

I am keen to hold on to my money until something good comes along...Just not much good and been looking for a while.

All Australian Cooper S were factory fitted with wind up windows and the narrow number plate flap on the boot. By that stage the windscreen wipers should be pointing the other way too?

This one is registered in NSW as a "1959 Morris Mini" , and the chassis number has a "P" at the end. Sounds very dodgy!

If you are looking at cars in NSW, go to the RMS site and put in the licence plate number, it'll give you an idea if it is registered as something similar to what is advertised (and it gives you the last 4 digits of the vehicle number, which is enough to date a Cooper S)
https://myrta.com/regcheck/

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Have you seen this one? http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mascot/c ... 1101610877

Nah. If it's genuine its been desecrated....

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67 Deluxe
Dry suspension
1293cc, 11:1 comp, RE 282 camshaft, 45 Weber, extractors etc
4 synchro close ratio gbox
Cooper S brakes, no booster
Stealth box, as Doc says "goes harder and idles!"
RH tank cos I needed it crossing the Nullarbor etc..

It was good enough at one time to make it on the cover of Fast 4's Mag.