Lot 205: 1965 Mini Cooper S

Few cars in competition have fuelled the imagination like the giant-killing Mini Cooper, the combination of diminutive size, outstanding road holding and punchy power often running rings around the opposition. Following the original 997cc Mini Cooper's launch in July 1961, Pat Moss gave due warning of the car's potential by winning the 1961 Tulip Rally on only the car's second outing, and the following year John Love won the British Saloon Car Championship; it was successes like these that prompted BMC to build a much more radical car, an homologation special to take on the world's best in competition. Launched in March 1963, the 1,071cc Mini Cooper S was the ultimate Mini, at its heart a much higher specification engine than the plain Cooper's unit, and slightly larger but much more efficient front disc brakes. The increased potential of the S was quickly demonstrated by Rauno Aaltonen's outright win on the 1963 Alpine Rally, followed by Paddy Hopkirk's 1st place overall on the Monte Carlo, 3rd on the Tour de France and 4th on the RAC. A few months later, in January 1964, the 997cc Cooper was replaced by the 998cc model, and by March 1964 its big brother became available with two new engines, the 1,071cc Cooper S being discontinued in August the same year. The limited production 970cc S was aimed purely at the 1,000cc class in race and rallies, an area in which it was to excel. It is the larger 1,275cc model, however, that is best remembered and with it Timo Makinen won the 1964 Tulip Rally as soon as the 1,275 had been homologated. This historic rally specification Cooper S was raced competitively in the Channel Islands from the 1970s onwards, taking part in hillclimbs, sprints, rallying and racing. While still undergoing restoration with its long term owner, this Mini Cooper was purchased by a well-known motor sport enthusiast who completed the work in time for the 2006 Jersey Rally. Retaining a nice patina, the car's specification includes a rebuilt, highly tuned and correct Cooper S engine with fresh competition flywheel, a straight-cut gearbox, a new wiring harness, Spax shock absorbers, plus uprated brakes and handbrake. Eligible for many events including HRCR rallies and the St Mary's Trophy race for pre-1966 touring cars at the Goodwood Circuit Revival, this splendid Mini Cooper S is offered for sale with MSA competition logbook, a current MoT test certificate and a Heritage Certificate. A superb, race-ready example of this triumph of British engineering.