Cupcake: I just placed a bid on this nice old pair of Lucas lights on Ebay..

Jeg: Thanks for the nice words! I started using the mini as a marketing tool for my freelance photography and web design when I had the Australian Yellow Clubman. As long as it looks cool and "sort of period correct on the outside" Im all for it. Ive done so much stuff to the Cooper, Although I dont mind constructive corrections from great members like Spank, it helps me improve myself. (I served both in the Navy and Army so I dont get butt hurt easily..) The red Cooper doesnt have rally significant celebrated history at all, doesnt have correct paint code, its not an S, not a "real" racecar, very slow but fun so it makes me feel ok to do stuff to it. That Acropolis Rally Plate will look nice on the mini for sure! I like the color too.

Yeah you will not believe how many screen capture pictures of wiring diagrams from your conversations here. After I traded the yellow clubman I swore Id try to do it right this time and not be a rolling firehazard anymore hehe.

..But I do miss the dashboard I made for that yellow car.

And yes, I kept telling my nosey neighbor Id never run out of things to do to the mini. Hes always watching me and nodding his head as he walks away. They will never understand I guess.

It's no surprise that your mini is in demand, it looks awesome! 

Mur was a fantastic resource when I did my big lamp and relay project - my mini now has 8 relays, 2 fuse boxes (accessory fuse box is relay switched so all future accessories can simply be plugged in), a junction box, many switches - whew, I learned a lot doing this.

Have you checked this guy's website for a rally plate?  //www.prs17495.demon.co.uk/rallyplates.html

Not Monte Carlo, but still really cool:

  CG22.    ACROPOLIS RALLY 1964 RALLY PLATE. This is from the works BMC entry of Hopkirk and Liddon in an Austin Mini Cooper S, registration number AJB 55B.The plate is made of tin and measures 17 x 7 1/4 inches. Price £900

You'll never be content, though, you'll always find something more to do...  

I had a similar experience but I managed to pull over right away with a cold sweat and I'm glad it wasn't raining like yours. when I got home, I went to go find an old belt in my closet and mounted it lol.  The bonnet strap I have now is from Tandy. I used stainless steel bolts and nuts with finishing washers which are perfect to get a good grip on leather if you have no plating like the ones at works mini.

The lightbar I made is pretty solid but for sure I'll have to add another bracket but not sure where to attach it yet. The previous setup I had was mounted to the right/ top oil cooler open mountIng holes plus support bracket located next to the bonnet latch and that was pretty sturdy. Thanks to this forum I learned how to wire relays and extra fuseblocks for accesories. right now I'm getting emails for requests to have my mini used in engagement photoshoots haha. Thanks to Facebook and Instagram.

Hopefully I can have good resources and find a nice Monte Carlo rally plate, vintage roof rack from Pedro's Rack and a reverse light and I'll probably be content... sure...

Looks very nice, as always, but I'm curious about the lamp that you do have sitting there.  Does it have a strut behind it for stability?  I'm somewhat expecting that it'll vibrate all over the place when your driving.

Funny thing happened to me not too long ago - glad I have straps on my bonnet.

It was a windy day and I was flying home from 'the estate' (summerhouse lot on the northwest coast) - sounds like the start of a bad novel...  "It was a dark and stormy night..." 

T'was Really windy, really flying (ok, not really flying, but 4800 rpm in a very strong headwind, there was some serious windspeed) - reaching out and straightening the normally tight mirrors because the wind kept blowing them inwards - and I suddenly noticed that the noise level increased and that my bonnet was vibrating. 

The bonnet straps functioned perfectly; the bonnet was only open about ½" - just proud of the mushroom, so it would have flown wide open had it not been for the straps.   (Edit:  I hope you never need yours)

Fortunately, there was a rest stop within a mile, so I slowed down a bit, closed the bonnet and kept a more moderate pace for the remainder of the drive. 

Pretty scary moment, nonetheless.

I'm looking at them. Thanks Cupcake. Thought I'd ask some locals or friends here before I go elsewhere.

There's always a good selection of Lucas lamps on Ebay.

Hope that's not a trick question. the bottom strap is NOT mounted on the hood. The hood was slightly adjusted forward to clear the belt and mount. 

from what I believe is that bonnet straps aren't OEM to BMC minis. the leather came from Tandy leather company tandyleather.com they're great. Teaches you how to sew, mount, dye and treat leather especially for saddles and outdoor bonnet strap. Mine is treated with Neatsfoot oil.

Anyway, still looking for some old marchal or lucas driving lamps.

BIG AL

VERY Nice looking mini...

No not mine. I think those are Flickr advertisements if you use your phone for viewing. The fashion photography are mine though.

Credit card

CC? What's that?

Looks good !

I flipped through the other pics....nice

(there is a pic of a CC..hopefuly that's not yours )

"Almost" because I its not really a close replica and I need two more driving lamps. Anyone got some Marchal or Lucas driving lamps thats collecting dust? Please message me here.

Ive always wanted a rugged rally look for my Cooper and I thought Id convert the front into the 1969 Italian Job car. Its not a 100% replica but I try to be close somewhat. Its all about how we keep ourselves busy and have fun with our minis.

UPDATE:

**I should change the title and not even mention the "1969 Italian Job". there's a lot of haters not liking this thread. Oh well I know I cant please everyone.