Registration: UMB420E
Chassis: C-A2S7/967030
Odometer: 85,000
Transmission: Manual
MOT: Exempt
- Upgraded to largely ‘S’ specification
- 1310 cc engine with Downton head
- Dyno’d at 89 bhp at the crank
- Twin tanks
- Still on hydrolastic suspension
The Austin Mini Cooper Mk1 emerged in 1961 as the high-performance brainchild of racing legend John Cooper, who recognized the untapped competitive potential of Alec Issigonis’s revolutionary economy car. While Issigonis was initially sceptical about turning his "people's car" into a racer, the collaboration resulted in a machine that defied its diminutive stature. The Mk1 was fitted with a spirited 997cc (and later 998cc) engine, front disc brakes, and a remote-shift gearbox, but it was the 1963 introduction of the Cooper S that truly cemented its legacy. With its "wheels at each corner" stance and exceptional power-to-weight ratio, the Mk1 famously humiliated much larger, more powerful V8 competitors on the rally circuit, most notably securing a legendary victory at the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally. By the time production shifted to the Mk2 in 1967, the Mk1 had transformed the Mini from a budget commuter into a global cultural icon and a giant-killer on the track.
We are delighted to offer this 1967 Austin Mini Cooper in Almond Green with green/grey interior. The heritage certificate confirms that this was a right hand drive, home market car supplied by Lookers of Northwich, Cheshire in January 1967. Whilst there isn’t any paperwork from its early life, it is believed by our vendor to have been brought up to ‘Cooper S’ specification sometime in the Seventies. It was fitted with a 1310 cc A Series engine (either Mk3 ‘S’ or 1300 GT) fitted with a 12G1805 ‘S’ head, gas-flowed with race valves, balanced crankshaft and rods. It comes with twin HS4 1½” carbs, electric fan, oil cooler and Hardy Spicer drive shafts. The flywheel has been left standard. The gearbox was swapped out for a ‘Cooper S’ reconditioned 12G333 unit. It was further upgraded with twin tanks and a Facet fuel pump and stopping power is provided by 7½” ‘S’ disc brakes on the front and Minifin drums to the rear. Needless to say, all this work has resulted in a very lively little car, with a recent dyno session indicating 89 bhp at the crank.
Almond Green is a wonderful period hue for a Mini, especially with an Old English White roof, and we’re delighted that the original colour combination has been retained. It sits on original genuine Minilite alloys wrapped in matching Falken rubber. The chrome is nice and lovely details like a ‘bullet’ mirror and a leather bonnet strap finish off the look. The cabin has also been upgraded with factory reclining front seats, an original Dulles Washington dash binnacle, a 120 mph ‘S’ speedometer, a Mota Lita signed steering wheel, Willans seat harnesses and a ‘fly off’ handbrake. At some point it also had a full retrim by Newton Commercial and it really is a lovely place to sit.
The Mini comes with V5C, heritage certificate, some old MOTs, some old registration documents, two dyno prints and a Goodwood Race Meeting programme from 1966. There are a small number of invoices from recent years but please bear in mind that there is no paperwork for the significant modifications done to the car and we would always recommend you come and check out the car yourself at our purpose-made premises to make your mind up – we assure you it won’t be a wasted journey. Finally, the vendor has supplied a number of original parts in the event the new owner wants to take it back to standard Cooper spec – 998 cc engine, 12G295 cylinder head, 100 mph Cooper speedometer, original Cooper binnacle, boot board and original seatbelts.
Still bearing its original Cheshire registration mark, this little Mini has come home. It’s been a reluctant journey for our vendor, who has been custodian for almost 9 years, and we can see why. This Cooper gives you pretty much the ‘S’ experience but without the ‘S’ price premium and, for that reason, it’s hard to ignore.
