1964 Group Nb Historic Morris Cooper S race car

Acquired recently from Danny Berry from Taree NSW in early 2022 as a ‘’full race spec’’ Group N (Appendix J) historic racing car complete with CAMS log books etc.011.

CURRENT SPECIFICATION

ENGINE

Mechanical specifications include a 1293cc – 140+ bhp engine with DCOE Weber side draft carburettor , Russell race camshaft and cyl head, roller rockers, straight cut gears etc and also included a straight cut close ratio (dog) gearbox/LSD etc.

BODY

Built up from an early Cooper shell to UK Mini spec with a fully welded roll cage … also seam welded and lightened where legally possible but according to the regulations must be fully trimmed and only the front seats can be changed.

SUSPENSION

Adjustable (one way) gas shock absorbers, competition rubber cone suspension with adjustable cambers, ride heights and castors etc.

WHEELS/TYRES

Minilite (Armstrong) replica spoked alloy 5.5’’ wheels with Hoosier tyres.

HISTORY

Built a few years ago by Danny Berry who is a panel beater and the mechanical work mainly done by John Masala from Wingham who for many years worked for us until a few years ago until he received some good fortune through inheritance?

CURRENT PLANS

We had a test day 3 x months ago (just after we had bought the car) at Wakefield Park and sadly the engine expired after 22 laps so we removed it and currently as at April 2022 it is with Mini guru – Graham Russell for a full rebuild and update as it appears many of the engine parts were worn out or incorrect so our expectations are high when it is installed back in the car after an expensive rebuild shortly.

Our disappointment however with John and Danny prevails as the engine was basically a ‘’dud’’ and many of the parts had been swapped out it seems for another project … or maybe not and we will never know … it is possible they just got out of their depth mechanically but nevertheless it will soon be very competitive with a Russell built engine and Tom driving it at the smaller race meetings which we are looking forward to so watch https://www.facebook.com/TomTweedieMotorsport for further updates.

REPORT - EASTERN CREEK (SMP) 11-12 June 2022

Tom's first race meeting since we purchased the car and fitted the new Russell built engine in a large field of Group earlier Nb and later Nc cars including lots of Mustangs, Torana's … a couple of Camaro's etc … the "little" Nb cars like the Mini's and Cortina's were a bit outclassed on a horsepower circuit like SMP with the later Nc cars and we also had a few "new car" teething troubles earlier in the weekend resulting in a DNF in Race 2 which put Tom at the rear of the grid to start in race 3 on Sunday afternoon.

In Victoria they separate the races into Nb and Nc so the grids are much more consistant and this meeting Tom was second fastest Mini in qualifying only beaten by Andrew Bergen who didn't pass Race 2 due to mechanical isssues … however a very fast car which Tom a target to aim for.

You will see however on this in-car video he was very busy with a black Mustang and red Torana as he worked his way from the rear of the grid beating all the other Mini's … see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgELWYinDIs hard driving but a lot of fun … if only there were a few more laps but overall a great first outing for our new car.

THE FACTS OF LIFE

We have always been involved in Cooper S road and race cars (see our other webpages) so when the opportunity came up to buy this car we didn’t hesitate.

In 2016 when the car had just been built and was BRAND NEW and totally untried or sorted … Danny invited Tom to race it at an Eastern Creek open race meeting (Muscle Car Masters) amongst a heap (or should I call it ‘’herd’’) of racing Mini’s and Mustangs etc but due to serious mechanical problems the car never got past qualifying when there were some major issues which ended the weekend for Tom.

However before all this he managed to qualify 4th outright in a field of seasoned Appendix J (Nb) cars and drivers in a brand new unsorted car so perhaps when the opportunity to buy the car came up … we saw this as ‘’unfinished business’’ so the temptation was simply too great!

I have attached the qualifying results sheet from 2016 which speaks for Itself … most satisfying!

NOTES

You will note on NatSoft there were actually 43 cars that qualified so Tom’s 4th place was a great reward and most encouraging for the future.

You might like to click onto this link to see the weekends group Nb race (without Tom) … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fhZriSfADM

ALSO elsewhere in this webpage you will see pics etc of the Mini’s this family has raced or owned … and they are still as popular as they ever were although parts are becoming hard to get especially due to Covid where re-manufacturing has slowed down considerable … so watch this space or Tom’s Facebook for further updates

GALLERY

Sydney Motorsport Park (Eastern Creek) 3-4 September … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2irpQgIo3kg&t=183s