Looking at those historic photos of Coatsie's brought back a memory although nothing to do with racing.
My first mini was a hotted up '61. It had an Austin Cooper S grille, they were lighter as they were alloy.
Anyhow I wrecked mine in a rear ender with a towbar. I didn't have the money to get another.
My brother being a plumber had a look at the wrecked grill and observed that the allow bars were similar or the same as alloy extrusions they used in bathroom fittings. Once all bars were replaced, you couldn't tell the difference.