Vehicle Description
In Europe and England in the 1950s, skyrocketing fuel prices
brought on by the Suez Crisis were driving sales of microcars and
so-called "bubble cars". BMC chief Leonard Lord considered these
motorbike-powered cars dangerous and uncivilized, so he charged his
team to develop a compact car capable of carrying a family of four
with a level of refinement not found in micro cars. Alex Issigonis
was lured away from Alvis to spearhead the engineering team and his
only limitations were that the car should fit in a 10 x 4 x 4 foot
box, and be powered by an existing engine to keep costs low.
Issigonis' resulting front-drive, transverse-engine Mini would soon
prove to be one of the most influential cars of all time. More than
5 million were built between 1959 and 2000, along the way becoming
a cultural icon and symbol of British pride. The Austin Mini is a
truly classless automobile that was embraced by everyone from the
working man to the Royal Family. Despite its pragmatic purpose, the
Mini's innovative hydrolastic suspension and "square" stance gave
it tremendous kart-like cornering ability. This captured the
attention of Issigonis' friend, racing car builder John Cooper.
Together the pair persuaded reluctant BMC management to allow them
to develop a hot version of the Mini for homologation purposes. The
resulting Mini-Cooper featured a larger engine, front disc brakes,
twin SU carbs and a close ratio gearbox. The Cooper was followed by
the Cooper S, with 1,071 cc or 1,275 cc engines to homologate the
car for the Under-1100 and Under-1300 classes, respectively. The
Cooper and Cooper S took the rallying world by storm, and could
also be seen handily whipping much larger competition in the
British Saloon Car championship. In the same way the standard Mini
was a British pop-culture Icon, the Cooper S became an icon in the
world of motorsports. This fabulous 1965 Austin Mini Mk1 is one of
just 2,384 originally built to the hottest 1275 cc Cooper S
specification. The accompanying British Motor Industry Heritage
Certificate shows this car was special-ordered via Wimbledon Motor
Works, Ltd of London with a build date of September 22, 1964 and
that it is one of just 1,060 of its type built for the home market.
It was finished as it is today in Tweed Gray with an Old English
White roof and despatched on October 5th 1964, registered "FLO
979C". The first owner was an advertising executive named Roger
John Paterson, who registered the car through his company, S.P.M.
Advertising, Ltd. Mr. Paterson specified his Mini in the same
configuration as the Works racers, and it is clear that he was
quite fond it, retaining the car for nearly four decades. Unlike so
many examples of the Cooper S, Mr. Paterson kept his car in road
trim and never raced it, so it has survived the years remarkably
intact, down to the correct original engine and body shell. It was
used regularly before being taken off the road between 1976 and
1981, when it was treated to a light restoration and returned to
duty with the Patersons. The Cooper S would stay in the family
until Mr. Paterson's death in 2003. At that time, Mrs. Paterson
consigned the car with UK specialist Sussex Sports Cars. Following
the sale, the second owner returned "FLO" to Sussex Sports Cars for
a more comprehensive restoration. Part way through the project, he
sold the car and the new Italian owner had it converted to left
hand drive and the interior updated with red highlights, though he
never took delivery. Now fully restored, FLO 979C would pass
through the hands of respected dealer Duncan Hamilton before
crossing the pond to join the personal collection of noted dealer
and enthusiast Bill Noon in 2006. Mr. Noon would have the Cooper S
sympathetically prepped for historic rallying. It was issued an FIA
passport and in 2008, Noon and his co-driver would compete in the
legendary Tour Auto in France. The car performed very well, even
winning one of the hillclimb stages outright. Mr. Noon parted with
"FLO" in 2011, when it joined a large collection of English and
European sports cars. Recently refreshed and presented in fast-road
specification, this Mini Cooper S remains in excellent condition,
wearing its original livery of Tweed Gray with Old English White
roof. The paint is in excellent condition, and the body is straight
and tidy. Chrome and bright fittings are in fine order, and the car
rides on correct original steel wheels wrapped in sticky 165/70R-10
Avon CR6 ZZ tires that are equally suited for road or rally duty.
The interior remains in excellent condition, in left drive and with
red and gray trim using correct type materials and patterns. It
presents in fine fettle throughout, with very good detailing.
Should the next owner want to participate in more serious events, a
pair of color-keyed racing bucket seats will be included, as will
the Safety Devices roll bar and a discreetly installed on-board
fire system. The 1,275 cc Austin A-Series engine presents in
beautiful condition in factory correct dark green paint and topped
by twin S.U. carburetors complete with original air cleaner intact.
The engine runs well and delivers a healthy punch, propelling the
tiny Cooper along the road at surprising speed. The car has been
updated to fully adjustable suspension front and rear, with Spax
shocks, that combined with the grippy Avon rubber, ensures the
driving experience is an absolute thrill. This is rare opportunity
to acquire a genuine, documented Mk1 1275 S with matching numbers
and excellent history from new. Discreet modifications make it
ready for the road or for use in any number of driving events
worldwide. A sheer delight to experience, this is a wonderful
example John Cooper's legendary giant-slayer.
