1964 Austin Mk1 Mini Cooper Evocation *Sold £11,500*

Description

• Estimated spend of £30,000
• Heritage body shell
• Rebuilt engine and gearbox
• Retrimmed interior
• Excellent condition

Has any classic car had such a profound impact as the original Mini? Introduced in 1959 in both Austin and Morris flavour, success came quickly. It wasn’t long before BMC teamed up with John Cooper to produce wizardry on wheels. Did any of us predict the status these cars would achieve? Today the Mk1 Mini takes the title as Britain’s finest automotive design.

Background

With a production run of just eight years but leading to a dynasty lasting for over fifty, many consider the Mk1 Mini as the best of the bunch.

• First registered 4th June 1964
• Deluxe model
• With our vendor since 2018
• Photos of work carried out in the Gallery

Our vendor knows a thing or two about Minis. He raced Sevens back in the day. Additionally, he tells us he was a good friend of the legendary Paddy Hopkirk.

This Mini was purchased with the intention of carrying out a full restoration. As you can see from the Gallery, that was undertaken with energy and professionalism. However, once the shell was taken back to basics, it was clear it wasn’t going to be good enough for what our vendor wanted. A new heritage shell was purchased at a cost of £12,000

Outside

Have a good look around and you’ll see loads of other lovely touches; we’ve just highlighted a few:

• In Almond Green with White Roof
• Classic overriders with corner bar bumpers
• One-piece grille
• External hinges
• Sliding windows
• Small rear lamps
• Austin Cooper badges
• Centrally mounted reversing lamp
• Period black & silver number plates
• Dunlop Aqua Flo tyres as per original spec
• Offside B-pillar mounted chrome rear view mirror

We all know the inclination for British cars to dissolve on continued exposure to British Summertime. The purchase of a heritage shell takes all those issues away.

The best part for us, is that there are no nasty non-standard items such as plastic wheel arches, etc. It is all factory standard.

Inside

The theme of quality and factory feel continues. It is clear a lot of money has been well spent here making the interior very good indeed.

• Gorgeously retrimmed interior
• Excellent condition
• Little obvious signs of use since the rebuild
• Seats and door cards trimmed
• New carpet
• Wood rimmed steering wheel
• The classic three dial instrument pod
• Chrome map reading light
• Original jack in the boot

Mechanicals

We are told by the vendor, the upgraded/updated mechanicals of this Mini “were built by Paddy Hopkirk’s own engineer”. In the Gallery are images of this special homage to the famous Cooper Minis with Mini 33 EJB. Very good company indeed.

• 998cc rebuilt engine
• One and a half inch single SU carb
• Chrome rocker cover
• Servo
• The gearbox has been rebuilt
• Original ‘magic wand’ gear stick retained

Another nice touch is the inclusion of Cooper disc brakes. Our vendor describes it as “Driving very well”. He tells us, “Having raced Sevens and driven a lot of Minis, including Coopers, I can say this one is very quick”.

Summary

A rare opportunity to own a very well sorted, very special Mini.

Just take a moment to think about this opportunity.

• A Mk1 Mini
• With the Heritage bodyshell
• Mechanical restoration by Paddy Hopkirk’s mechanic
• A spend of £30,000
• Now offered for sale with No Reserve

This special Mini must be bid on. Someone is going to get themselves a very special classic. Good luck.