We are pleased to present this 1965 Austin Mini Cooper S. This right-hand drive Mk 1 example was modified to Group 1/A rally specifications by the renowned Pip Carrotte of Gainsborough, England, before participating in multiple WRC events. The car eventually retired from motorsport in 2008 and was subsequently displayed at the Cayman Motor Museum in the Cayman Islands. This Mini was later imported to the United States in 2015 where it received an engine rebuild by Mini Coopers of Miami, as well as service of the transmission, suspension, steering, braking systems, and refinishing of the undercarriage and engine bay. Rally racing modifications include a roof rack, driving lights, a racing clutch with a lightweight flywheel and heavy-duty pressure plate, a high-flow oil cooler, a Ken Lowe electric cooling fan, a Myler’s SuperCool twin-core radiator, Koni shock absorbers, dual fuel tanks, and fuel pumps, and straight-cut gears. This FIA-registered Cooper S is now being offered at auction by its seller out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
This Mini is finished in red with a white-painted roof and #26 racing livery. Equipment includes a Monte Carlo-style removable roof rack with two roof-mounted full-size spares, chrome trim, mudflaps, a Dural front skid plate, front and rear tie-downs, Lucas rally lights, and front and rear fog lights. The seller notes various blemishes and spots of corrosion on the bodywork preserved during the restoration. When originally prepared for rally racing, the underside was reinforced with double steel sheet metal and strengthened and gusseted sub-frames to protect the underside from rocks, dirt, and debris. The bronze-finished 10” Mini-lite wheels are mounted with 145/10 Dunlop Rally S44 Weathermaster tires. Additional images can be found in the gallery.
The rally-spec cockpit features two ] racing seats upholstered in red and gray cloth with matching door panels and carpets. Racing accessories include a roll cage, dual fire extinguishers, a three-spoke leather-wrapped Moto-Lita steering wheel, six-point Simpson racing harnesses, and a passenger-side map light. Instrumentation consists of a 10,500-RPM tachometer, an auxiliary gauge, and a TAG-Heuer lap timer, in addition to a center-mounted 100-MPH speedometer and gauges for fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The passenger-side dashboard is mounted with additional timers, a trip computer, and toggle switches. The seller notes only some of the instruments work correctly.
This Cooper S is equipped with a 1,275cc inline-four, which was built by Osborne Automotive Preparation of Surrey, England, and produces a claimed 95 HP at 5,800 RPM. Power is sent to the front wheels through a close-ratio four-speed manual transaxle featuring straight-cut gears with baulk-ring synchromesh, a racing clutch with a heavy-duty pressure plate, lightweight flywheel, and a standard differential with 4:1:1 gearing. The motor was rebuilt by Mini Coopers of Miami to the original OAP specs and fitted with dual SU carburetors, a Magnaflow LCB exhaust header connected to an RC40 PECO large bore single chrome upswept rear exit muffler, a high-flow 13-row oil cooler, a Ken Low high-output electric cooling fan, a two-core Myer’s SuperCool radiator with a 13lb shallow cap, a high-output alternator, and an Austin Mini Aldon distributor. The motor has 40 miles on the rebuild and maintains its original "A-series" block and 1,275cc displacement according to Appendix K of the FIA international sporting code.
The braking and suspension systems have been overhauled as well, and include a five-diaphragm brake booster, 7” competition brake rotors, Kevlar EBC brake pads, Goodridge stainless steel brake lines, ½” wide rear drums with bottom protection plates, Koni shock absorbers, Hi-Lo adjustable struts, negative camber lower arms, and a polyurethane tie rod and subframe bushing kit.
This sale will include British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certification, rally records, service documentation, and a hardback photo album containing the vehicle’s history and photos of the restoration process. A historic rally car with a true racing pedigree, this rally-spec Mini Cooper S provides an excellent opportunity for any vintage motorsport enthusiast.
Comments (8)
Bid in the amount of $42,000
Bid in the amount of $40,000
Bid in the amount of $21,000
Clearly this little gem isn't for everyone. It's a beautiful museum piece that's headed for someone's collection.
Neat car !
Went for it on BAT, and I'll go for it again...but I'm hoping this reserve isn't as insane as their asking price when I emailed them...
Bid in the amount of $20,000
This car was JUST on BaT. No sale at 55. GL