Vehicle Description
Designed by Alex Issigonis in 1959, a new concept in car design was
born. With a monocoque shell, transversely mounted engine and front
wheel drive, the new 'Mini', soon became popular across a broad
spectrum of the population. The potential for competition use was
soon seen by John Cooper; BMC were finally persuaded by John Cooper
and the two worked together in culminating the birth of the Austin
Mini Cooper and the Morris Mini Cooper in 1961. This 1974 Mini was
recently discovered by one of our team members, having been owned
and held within the same family since it was built to order in
1974. A fan of the Cooper S, the vendors wife wanted something a
little more special and with a brother trained as a mechanical
engineer, they together decided to create, what in their mind would
be, the ultimate Mini. The project to build this car began in
earnest in July 1972 when �85 was spent to purchase a rolling
Austin Mini shell (chassis number 918077a) next to purchase was a
Morespeed modified 1293cc Cooper �S' rally engine, Supplied by
Morespeed Conversions Ltd., Birmingham. This was twinned to an �S'
all synchro gearbox No. 5277, a 510 Camshaft, lightened cam
followers, Cooper Oil Pump, 1275 �S' cylinder head, two 1�" SU
carburettors and an inlet manifold to suit. Other upgrades included
a lightweight �S' H.C. water pump all of which was supplied by Mike
Coombe Racing in Rugby, Warwickshire.The upgrades did not stop
under the bonnet, an electrically heated rear screen was fitted
along with a rear wiper arm, SU AAB needles and AUC 4578 springs
were coupled to 5x10 Cosmic wheels with the rear wheels at a
negative camber obviating the need for spats. It has a
front-mounted oil-cooler just below the front grill and all brake
pipework is made from 'CUNIFER 10' and runs inside the passenger
compartment where possible. The Interior is in fabulous condition.
There are additional bespoke gauges and switches mounted in the
roof and the vacuum reservoir for the brake servo is located under
the rear seat squab.Built to order, receipts are present for
virtually every item used, in a lovely history file. Unfortunately
the car has been stored for many years now and thus needs some
light cosmetic/structural work in order to be considered roadworthy
but the engine is running well having been recently
re-commissioned. We encourage viewing for what is truly a unique
car. For sale by auction on Saturday 23 September 2017 with
Historics at Brooklands, Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit,
Weybridge, Surrey, Call 01753 639170
