Lot Ended
Description
Fresh from a total nut-and-bolt resoration by a retired Mini
specialist and in super condition throughout; original engine rebuilt; one of
only 1,570 made; driven 20 miles to the sale; a gorgeous example of this
giant-slaying Sixties icon
The original
Mini Cooper was launched in 1961 when Alec Issigonis’ friend John Cooper, owner
of the Cooper Car Company and designer and builder of Formula One and rally
cars, saw the potential of the Mini for competition work.
Initially 1,000 cars were commissioned to meet the homologation rules
of Group 2 rallying, all fitted with a race-tuned 997cc engine producing 55bhp
with twin SU carburettors, a close-ratio gearbox and front disc brakes – all
uncommon at the time in a small car.
A more
powerful Cooper S Mk2 was developed in tandem and released in 1963. This
featured a 1,071cc engine with various modifications including a nitrided steel
crankshaft and strengthened bottom end to allow further tuning, plus
servo-assisted disc brakes. With go-kart handling and minimal weight, the Cooper
rewrote the rule books and proved virtually unbeatable on the race track,
humbling much larger-engined cars.
The final Mk3
variant came out in March 1970 with the 76bhp 1,275cc A-Series engine which
allowed it to continue its domination of saloon car racing and rallying. Only
1,570 were made before production came to an end in the summer
of 1971, making the Mk3 one of the rarest Coopers of all.
First
registered in Surrey in August 1971, this gorgeous Cooper S was acquired by our
vendor back in 2010 when he was still the owner of a well-known Mini restoration
workshop in the Midlands. At this point it was still in good roadworthy
condition, the MOT history online showing that it sailed through the MOT three
times from 2010 – 2012 with no advisories recorded, only covering 70 miles over
this period.
When he retired, our
vendor took the Cooper with him as a project to keep him busy in his
retirement. Over the last few years he has meticulously stripped the car to a
bare shell and restored it from the ground upwards. Although there are no
invoices to show exactly what was done, there are photos of the work in progress
(some of which are reproduced here), and the vendor has listed the main points
in notes on file.
The bodywork was fully restored
and repainted in Glacier White. All mechanical aspects were restored as
required, including the original 1,275cc engine which was stripped and rebuilt
with new piston rings, oil pump, crankshaft bearings etc. The gearbox
was rebuilt by Agency Transmissions of Worcester. It was completely retrimmed
inside using a kit supplied by Newton Commercials and retains its original
130mph speedo.
Since the restoration was
completed, it has only covered 100 or so ‘shake-down’ miles and will require a
careful running-in period before the performance is exploited to the full.
Driven 20 miles to the sale, it has been starting promptly and running
beautifully as we have moved it around on site, with good 80psi oil pressure and
a pleasingly rorty noise from the stainless steel
exhaust.
As you can see in the photos, this rare
Mk3 Cooper S is in fabulous condition throughout and now only needs an
enthusiastic new owner who can reap the rewards of all the hard work so expertly
carried out.
Consigned by James Dennison –
07970 309907 – [email protected]