Description

  • Replacement 1056cc engine
  • Upgraded mechanicals
  • Heritage Certificate
  • Resprayed/refreshed bodywork

Everybody knows and loves the classic Mini Cooper. They are pure undiluted joy. To many, including Issigonis, the Mini was affordable motoring for the masses. It worked perfectly.

John Cooper saw things differently. He already had vast expertise tuning the A-Series engine with his business, the Cooper Car Company. He spotted the potential of the Mini. After some experimentation and testing, the two friends collaborated. The Austin Mini Cooper was unveiled to the world. The rest is history.

Background

The Mk1 Mini Cooper arrived in July 1961. It was badged as either Austin or Morris Cooper. Aside from the front grille and badge, they were identical. Chassis prefixes for the Austin began C-A2S7 and Morris K-A2S4.

Except for a few very early models, Coopers had duo tone paintwork. Trim was dependent on body colour.

  • The Heritage Certificate states;
  • First registered 8 June 1966
  • Despatched 21 June 1966
  • To a BMC Main Dealer in Colchester, Car Mart Ltd
  • Our vendor has owned this Mini Cooper since 2022
  • He thinks it was a stalled project
  • A great deal of work was previously undertaken
  • Our vendor has a small, eclectic collection of cars
  • This one isn’t getting a great deal of use

Outside

  • Tweed Grey body
  • Old English White roof
  • A recent cosmetic respray/refresh
  • Dunlop Cosmic wheels
  • The distinctive front grille and Austin badges mark it out as a Cooper
  • The brightwork is in good condition

When our vendor purchased this Cooper, the doors, bonnet and boot lid were a slightly different shade. He understands the previous owner had the Mini in with a professional restorer. Here the picture gets a little unclear; the owner either ran of money, or the restorer ran out of puff. The bodyshell was stripped and painted. Then, we believe, some time later, the Mini was hurriedly assembled, and the doors, bonnet and boot were painted.

Our vendor has rectified all of that and it now looks smashing. It does have the usual age-related marks, but that is obvious.

Inside

The interior carries on where the exterior left off:

  • The Dove Grey dual tone seats are in good condition
  • They look as if they were renewed or refreshed prior to our vendor’s ownership
  • The headlining is in good condition and possibly original
  • The carpets have been replaced at some stage
  • The carpet is in good condition
  • The spare wheel has no tyre
  • Spare keys also included

As you drop down into the classic Cooper, your eye is drawn to that simple central instrument binnacle with 100mph. You’ll just want to fire it up and get going.

Mechanicals

The mechanicals are legendary as is the go-kart like handling that allows you take “every corner at full speed, flat out” according to Paddy Hopkirk. Don’t try it though.

There is a comprehensive breakdown of work the previous vendor had carried in the Gallery. We’ll list a few items for you:

  • Brake system overhauled
  • New pistons and seal kits
  • Replacement cones fitted
  • An extensive list of maintenance items

Our vendor has carried out additional work:

  • He has carried some work on the mechanicals
  • He has fitted a new SU carb with new heated manifold
  • The SU is the larger 1.5inch unit
  • We understand it has been ‘fully serviced’
  • Oils, plugs, distributor cap, plug leads

We asked how it runs now – “It runs lovely” was the retort.

When our vendor purchased this Cooper, the description that came with it said, “a new engine was fitted/purchased from Southam Mini”.

Our vendor tracked down some information on this Cooper. That is in the Gallery as well. Here is a flavour of that.

  • Replacement 998cc unit sourced
  • With running-in mileage only
  • Rebored to 1056cc
  • Recon cylinder head fitted
  • Converted to unleaded fuel
  • LCB exhaust fitted
  • Replacement flywheel fitted.

Since doing all the work on the body and engine, the Cooper has seen very little use. Our vendor has advised us that the new owner should give the Mini a quick once over, just to be on the safe side.

To be clear –just to be on the safe side, please do not jump in and drive this Mini Cooper 300 hundred miles on your first journey.

Vehicle Location: Brighton, East Sussex BN41 – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendors.

Would like to arrange a viewing or have a question about this Austin Mini Cooper Mk1? Please contact us at team@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

Guide Prices?

We’re different. But you know that and, in a sector, where no two classics are same, how does anyone put a ‘guide’ on a vehicle.

Let’s be honest, everyone knows the broad value of a classic and the ‘market’ decides – the old cliché that ‘it’s worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

But, if you’d like us to provide an estimate that’s fine, just email us and we’ll get back to you.

Tedious but it’s vital you read this, please

We will always strive to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available. However, we can’t claim to be perfect, and your own analysis is very important, and we are here to help and answer any and all queries you may have prior to purchase.

We offer and positively encourage buyers to view or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding.

If we do take a physical, as opposed to a remote look at any of the vehicles on our platform, they are not those of a qualified vehicle inspector or other professional. Nor do they include a test drive unless expressly stated.

As with all vehicles of a certain age, localised paint repairs are common. This specifically applies with classics. So, unless we state explicitly to the contrary, assume that the vehicles on our platform could have had remedial bodywork of any kind at some point in their life.

Two final comments on images and photos. 

The vast majority are supplied by vendors. Camera technology continues to improve, but please understand that image and sound quality varies. If you would like more images, please ask us and we will contact our vendor for you.

Finally, please note that vehicles are sold as seen and a returns policy is not applicable. This is the norm for used items acquired via an auction site. If you are at all unsure, just ask us. It is what we are here for.

Our Terms and Conditions are here and our FAQS can be found here 

Got one you’d like to sell? Please feel free to get in touch to have a no obligation chat with us: Contact The Evoke Team