Estimated Price: £30,000 - £35,000

Decades before the hot hatch became a “thing” the Mini Cooper and its variants paved the way, an attainable icon, yet motorsport legend, dominating 1960s rallying and touring car racing. By packing a punchy, highly tunable 1275cc engine into Alec Issigonis's revolutionary front-wheel-drive layout, the most powerful version of the Mark 1, the Cooper 1275 S, is now rightly considered the one to have.

According to the accompanying Heritage Certificate, this 1275 S was built on the 6th October 1965 leaving the factory in Tartan Red with a black roof, factory 4.5in wheels, and a red and gold interior which was to be warmed by the optional heater. Supplied by Carey and Lambert Ltd. of Southampton, it was registered to the first of just four keepers on the 1st January 1966.

Fast forward to 2019 when the Mini was treated to a no expense spared restoration costing over £40,000 carried out by marque specialist Country Classic Cars Ltd. The restoration included the bodywork, an engine and gearbox rebuild, an interior re-trim, and all suspension components were rebuilt including a new rear subframe. The odometer reading at the time of cataloguing was 12,099 miles, evidence that this fabulous little Mini has given over 100,000 miles worth of enjoyment. The history file not only includes the original green registration document but also the invoices evidencing the costly programme of works commissioned to ensure future generations get the chance to enjoy the car, or for some, to re-live their youth.