Iam collecting parts for my retirement project . A 1098 Countryman,I want torque so I can climb the Blueridge mountains and other North American mountains. Iam boring the block 60th adding a SW5 cam,freeflow header and either a1.5 SU or a set of 1.25 twins carbs. Iam leaning towards the twins. I will use the remote shifter as it ties the motor in much better,than the other choices. The head will be a Calver or I will port one myself. You can put a magic wand onto a later box,so you can have the look of a 850. 998 Cooper disks with new AP calipers will haul it down. Also keep the Cosmics tucked in.

"A local top notch auto restoration firm (Pebbles Beach Concours multi-winners) which had this Mini in its shop for awhile (before I aquired the project) noted that the shell consisted of a front and a rear end that were welded together with such skill that it must have come from the factory that way."

Lovely restored countryman. Really nice

Then noticed it was a later model front from the a pillars forward

Bought from mini Bristol minis by the then owners

Peter

I will, although I have a long way to go before I will need it, which shouldn't be for another 2 to 3 years of painstaking search for a lot of parts

That 850 badge is hard to find. I've been looking since last fall for one. If you find two let me know, and I'll do the same.

To Zippys point - 850 / 998 / 1098 look the same extermally.

YOu will be able to drop  whatever block on your gear box so keep that for sure. I also swapped over the original 850 crank case breathers and other externals  so it looks like 850 - only the engine plate will show 998

I did go ahead with a later 1.5 SU that came with the 998,  the 1.25 850 probably would have worked. but the 1.5  was known working on the 998-  With that carb swap - i could not keep the original small metal 850 Aircleaner. too close to the firewall to fit, so on this setup the only difference is the carb and now Plastic later model filter housing.

Still Magic Wand Wonders! for authenticity!

Dropped the motor/trans and the front subframe yesterday all thats left to remove is the rear subframe and a couple of odds and ends and it will be just a shell. Sorry no photos, trying to get my camera working. Also the list of sheet metal is getting longer everytime I remove something, but it is still not that bad....yet

I was thinking the same thing. I am leaning more toward this and less toward anything bigger. I want to keep the magic wand though, just to keep the interior looking original.

From the outside, you can't really tell the difference from a 848 to a 1098..... just sayin.

Nothing to be sorry about! (except maybe not having 'unlimited funds', where youa re in good company).

I'm looking forward to watching the rebirth of this car. My first car was Countryman - that was about 40 yeard ago and the memory of her still brings smiles.

What size motor should I go with? I know it all depends on what I am using it for and whether I am going for a stock appearance, but I figured I would get the Forum consensus would be. I was thinking about a 1098, but then I was also thinking that I should keep it as stock as possible with an 850, and the thoughts of a bigger motor like a 1380 are on the list as well. So I guess the question I am asking is, if it were any of you restoring this car, would you bring the engine/trans back to the original 850, or go with something different? And Im sorry, but a Honda conversion is a no go, unless its the AWD and I had unlimited funds(which I don't).

Ron,

I can not thank you enough for the wagon/ words of wisdom and all around hospitality. Judging by the hole and the piston/connecting rod I would say it must have been a pretty big bang. I hope that I have this car for that long and more. I am more than positive to have a new moter/trans and have it screaming down the road again, sorry for the emptiness, maybe one of the other mini's can take its place in the shed?

I miss her.....I look in the corner of the shed anticipating seeing those tail lights staring back at me but no, only........emptyness.  I remember like it was only yesterday, screaming down the highway, when all of a sudden BANG! and then silence as we coasted for what seemed like for ever. I knew it was terminal.

Good luck with the build Scott! I had her for 28 years and did nothing so I am glad you are digging in.

I still have the '61(Internal) to build so I am not doing without!

Ron

charrison,

Thank you for the information.

FE 212735 is spot on for Sept '61.  The point is that the FE is easy to overlook, and not so easy to change, so is a good pointer to bodyshell age.

Wow, sounds like you have had some pretty special Mini's

Thank you Miguel, I know that it is an 850 countryman, I was just happy that it was built during the time that it could have been called a Seven, as for the verbage on the back, I am afraid it is no longer with the car.

FE number: FE212735, let me know what you find.

I have a Heritage Certificate for an Austin Countryman with build date July 19, 1961 and shipment date July 21, 1961 (to Dealer in New York) that was & is an external tank model.

A local top notch auto restoration firm (Pebbles Beach Concours multi-winners) which had this Mini in its shop for awhile (before I aquired the project) noted that the shell consisted of a front and a rear end that were welded together with such skill that it must have come from the factory that way.

My theory is that this Countryman was the result of crash test shells (related to the move from internal to external tanks) being spliced together, built up...then shipped to the colonies.  Like who would know until years later, if ever?

But then, I had a 1980 Mini 1000 that had been painted twice in the factory, with doors that did not fit...maybe I'm unlucky.

Welcome to the Club!!! Let me know if you need your heater restored!!!!

Image Gallery

Just like the green one in the picture.

www.MinipassionMini.com
Follow us on Facebook