Estimated Price: £12,000 - £15,000

To many, its designer Alec Issigonis included, the notion that the Mini might have a future as anything other than basic transport was anathema, and the idea of a high-performance version was laughable. One man though saw it quite differently. Racing car manufacturer John Cooper already knew quite a bit about tuning BMC's A-Series engine - he was running the company's Formula Junior effort at the time - and a test drive in a prototype Mini convinced him of the car's competition potential. The result, launched in September 1961, was the Mini Cooper, a car that offered a size/price/performance package that was nothing short of miraculous. The Mini Cooper soon established its credentials as a rally and race winner, and the stage was set for even faster versions. The first of these - the 1,071cc Mini Cooper S (late 1963 until August 1964) - took engine development a stage further and provided the basis for the 970 S and 1275 S of 1964.

Primarily intended for competition use, the 1071 S is probably the best driving of all the 'S' derivatives being more tractable than the 1275 S and 970 S, partially due to its Formula Junior race unit developed by Morris Engines. They were originally supplied with an oil cooler, 4.5" wheels and 3.44:1 final drive, they really were impressive in period and still amaze today.

Finished in Tartan Red, 700 UTU was first registered in 1964 and is accompanied by its Heritage Certificate and current V5C. It was purchased as a project from JonSpeed Racing in 1992 by the late Stuart Rolt (renowned engineer, ex-BRDC Chairman and son of former Formula 1 driver and Le Mans winner, Tony Rolt). Some 18 years later in 2010 it appears the project was complete and the Cooper was granted an MOT. Unfortunately we have no information about the cars rebuild other than some memories from Stuart's sister, Phoebe, who recalls that it was re-shelled and rebuilt with a 'Rolt' engine. It has obviously been retrimmed in the correct fabrics, fitted with Corbeau-style bucket seats with TRS harnesses, a Moto-Lita wheel and a brake servo appears to stick out under the heater.

We understand that it was entered for Phoebe in a sprint at Curborough in 2010 where it ran well but she doesn't believe it has been used since. From our images it does appear to still look well but will obviously need an element of recommissioning before returning to the road. On offer without reserve, this could make a super little classic Cooper S and offer lots of fun and possibly some club motorsport.