1980 Vortz Formula ‘R’ Mini Cooper

Description

• UNSOLD at auction December 2023
• Please contact Evoke for more information / to arrange a viewing : team@evoke-classics.com
• Chassis No.1
• Un-registered
• 976 miles
• 1293cc big bore engine
• Almond Green/Old English White
• Magazine featured – Read what the experts have to say about Car Number 1 in the latest issue of Mini World

Jaw dropping. Chassis #1. Yes, the very first Mini ‘Cooper’ Formula ‘R’ built by the legendary Nick Vrotsos, owner of Vortz Racing. Never registered. A truly unique classic. The saying goes: ‘try and find another’. Don’t bother. There isn’t one.

To see lots of additional images, check out our image gallery HERE

Background

Nick Vrotsos is the stuff of myth, legend and great renown. Nick’s company, Vortz, began in the Sixties. His early successes were providing performance upgrades to Jaguars and Spridgets. Minis came onto their radar in the early to mid-seventies. Things got really interesting then.

Production of the Mini Cooper S ended in 1971. That left a hole. Nick took the decision to fill that hole by building his own.

Nick bought new cars, totally stripped them, repainted and retrimmed, and crucially, re-engineered them into road racers.

As much as 80% of the Vortz Coopers were unique Vortz parts, manufactured in house. That was important in many ways, not least because these were new, Vortz own model type, and could be registered as such on the V5.

That initial decision saw twenty years of hugely successful production of some the best Minis ever produced. Nick and the legendary John Cooper had a good relationship. Following the success of Nick’s cars, Rover probably looked on with envy, kicking themselves. We say ‘probably’ because no-one knows for sure. One thing is clear though, it gave Rover a kick up the bum. They stopped Nick buying new Minis and wanted the exclusivity on the Cooper badge. Wisely, Nick wasn’t getting into an expensive litigation with a huge multinational. The effect of Rover’s decision was to make Vortz Mini Coopers even more desirable. Nick had the last laugh.

The flagship model arrived in1980. The Cooper Formula ‘R’, it took the whole enterprise to another level.

The genesis of the Cooper Formula R

Throughout all the Vortz Cooper Minis there are common themes; hand-built, quality and exclusivity.

Bear in mind, there was no tinter-web or even basic BBC Acorn Computers. Old school tool making came into play or kit was adapted or tracked down from the original BMC suppliers. The same coarse-grain rollers that had been used to make the original Cooper S trim for BMC, which was found slowly decaying and salvaged from an ICI Paint warehouse.

The Vortz Rose Petal wheels, cylinder heads, camshafts, air boxes, manifolds, exhaust systems – you name it – even the rear lights were made by Vortz. It is reported that at one stage Nick considered making his own tyres, he was that much of a perfectionist. He probably even thought about planting some rubber trees too. We did make that up, of course we did.

This Cooper Formula R Chassis No #1

Nick is a man who values his privacy. We are over the moon that he chose us to bring this car to market.

The Cooper Formula R is unregistered, but it hasn’t been ‘idle’. It was the centre piece display in a Rover dealership around 20 years ago. It was used sparingly, on trade plates. Currently it has 976 miles under its belt. It is settled and ready to go.

Here is an overview of the engineering. A detailed spec sheet is below.

• 1293cc engine
• Numerous upgrades
• A balanced EN40B crank
• Lightened rods
• Vortz’s own steel centre main cap
• A balanced Cooper S pre-Verto clutch assembly
• Duplex timing gear
• Gas-flowed head
• Featuring 35.6/31 valves
• And Nick’s own design of round exhaust ports
• A matching Vortz round-port exhaust manifold is also fitted
• A custom Vortz exhaust.
• The inlet manifold was also made in-house
• The manifold joins two HS4 carbs
• Completed with the legendary Vortz airbox.
• The gearbox has also been built with great care and attention
• The unit runs a 3.44 final drive

Outside the Formula R is spectacular.

The design is a nod in the direction of 60s racers.

• Almond Green paint
• White roof
• Hand cut Cooper Car Co decal
• An in-house manufactured right-hand fuel tank
• Those unique 10-inch CR wheels
• Goodyear tyres
• The rear light units are made by Vortz
• As is the grille featuring cut-outs to allow air to the oil cooler.
• Nick made his own grilles at first, but then managed to get original manufacturer Piano Forte to make them again

Then you jump in. Take a deep breath. It is special.

• An in-house dash pod
• Vortz instruments
• That coarse-grain Cooper-style interior trim makes an appearance to the top-level Formula R
• The rear seat still has its factory protection on
• The front recliners adapted to provide more room in the cabin
• Bespoke steering wheel – unique to chassis No.1 – later Formula ‘R’ were leather rimmed Mota-Lita
• Chassis #1 gave birth to the Formula ‘R’. It would continue for the next 16 years

The cars and also the business gained a global following, especially in Japan. Nichioh Trade Services became the Japanese agent for the cars, which were sold under the newly created Cooper Car Co 84 Ltd brand.

Summary

Where would we be without the brilliance of people like Nick Vrotsos. Much diminished in our view. Vortz cars have an amazing following with mythical status. Mini fans around the world have only dared to whisper about the existence and whereabouts of chassis #1. It’s here, along with your chance to own it.

Un-registered. With only 976 miles on the clock. Even we are lost for words.

Technical Spec

Engine 

• Big-bore A-Series block bored to 1293cc, uprated 6.6cc dish pistons, lightened and corrected rods, EN40B crank, steel centre main cap, R-648 camshaft, balanced Cooper S pre-Vetro clutch assembly, Duplex timing gear, modified distributor, gas-flowed cylinder head with round exhaust ports and 35.6/31 valves, 10.4:2 compression ratio, Cooper S rockers, oil cooler, Vortz catch tank, Twin 1.5-inch HS4 SU carbs, Vortz aluminium inlet manifold, Vortz airbox, Vortz round-port LCB, Vortz R458 exhaust, three-core radiator, 88-degree thermostat. Power 100bhp.

Transmission 

• Four-speed manual with Jack Knight close-ratio gearset, helical drop gears, 3.4:1 final drive ratio.

Suspension

• Dry set-up with adjustable trumpets all round, Koni dampers.

Brakes

• Vortz modified AP four-pot calipers with custom hubs and discs to suit 10-inch wheels, (front), spacer drums (rear), no servo.

Wheels and Tyres 

• 4.75×10 Vortz CR ‘Rose Petal’ wheels with 165/70R10 Goodyear Rally Special tyres

Interior 

• Vortz coarse-grain trim with modified front reclining seats, Vortz instruments in Vortz centre dash binnacle housing rev counter, bespoke wood-rim steering wheel, trimmed top dash rail, flip-top ashtray.

Exterior

• 1980 Vortz Formula ‘R’ Mini saloon, Formula ‘R’ bonnet and boot-lid badges, hand-made Formula ‘R’ stripes, Vortz Cooper grille with oil cooler cut-outs, Vortz flip-top fuel filler cap, Cooper S door frame trim, fluted sill trim, Vortz Mk2 rear lights. Paint: Almond Green GN37 with Old English White WT3 roof.

Vehicle Location: Aberystwyth, Wales – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor.

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