• The build of HMP729G (Red)
• The build of GPF146G (White)
• The build of LGW809G (Blue)
• The lead up to the Cheffins Auction
• The day of the Number plate Auction
• Press Coverage of the Auction
• Our National Press Coverage
• Sir Michael Caine signs our Coopers
• Getting the details 'Picture Perfect'
• The stunts explained by Remy
• Signing up with Mini Magazine
• Meetings with Remy Julienne
• Behind the camera - the film stunts
• Its all in the detail(s) ...

More BLOGS

BLOG 1: FINDING THE LAST MINI ... AND WE FIND A Mk1 COOPER 'S' !

This has been much easier than previous builds. Finding a Mk1 Austin Coopers S in Island Blue was a fantastic bit of luck! This little beauty must have been registered very late on. Most likely it was not really fashionable as the MK2 Coopers were available at this time, but very lucky for us! Although the bodywork has been a little ropey to say the least. Next stop M-Machine at Darlington to see Peter and Ian. It's been hard to ensure we used 'real' Mini Coopers for the three replicas, as to use a standard MK1 would not have been true to the original specifications of the film Coopers, but finding a 1275cc Cooper S in Island Blue has been superb!

NOTE: All three Coopers will retain their original Cooper engines, which will be rebuilt to 1275cc. That way we are also retaining film originality in terms of specifications confirmed by Remy. It would have been easier to simply use a standard 1275cc Metro engine, but that would be the easy route. LGW will retain this superb 1275cc unit.

BLOG 2:

Sure enough Peter and Ian have checked over LGW and agree it needs a little TLC. Ian has come up trumps with the paint prep, after I had a full day on striping out the Cooper ...not much left as you can see.

 

BLOG 3:

The paintwork looks superb ....the usual standard for Ian (which is excellent!). Now its time to load up LGW and head back to the garage for a few weekends worth of refitting the chrome and others shiny bits !! 

BLOG 4:

The engine build has gone well, Peter has worked his magic on the 1275cc unit, it now sounds very 'Cooper S' through an RC40 exhaust system. The twin carbs needed a full rebuild and caused a few headaches, but we got there in the end. We now have the full Italian Job Set ! Now onto our next Italian Job vehicle !!