Mini Cooper S MK III

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Our vendor bought his 1971 MkIII Cooper S in 1978, when the car was only seven years old and he were just a lad. Surprisingly, the car survived the enthusiasms of youth but – BL build quality being what it was – by the mid 1980s it needed a bit more than a major service and was put into the family barn to receive some attention.

Life – in the shape of work, raising a family, competitive dressage (the usual) – then intervened. The Cooper wasn’t totally neglected, it was sequestered in a warm, dry barn and, from time to time, received the rectification work it needed.

It wasn’t until 2010 that the Cooper hit the road again. The work was started when the car was old without being classic, our vendor never intended to sell it so kept few records and over the intervening 25 years, details and receipts have been lost.

During the 1990s the Cooper received new outer sills, wings, front panel and a repaint. A new rear sub-frame was fitted along with rebuilt brakes and suspension. The engine was also rebuilt. Other restoration work was carried out – new seat covers, new seat squabs, wheels, exhaust, etc – and, in 2010 the car finally made it to the MOT station: it passed (with no advisories).

The recorded mileage at that MOT was 56,851 which the vendor assures us was correct. The car has seen little use in the past eight years and today the recorded mileage is only 57,114. Which just goes to show that once competitive dressage gets hold, it takes over completely.

Our vendor has faced up to the inevitable and the Mini is being offered for sale for the first time in 40 years. The Cooper is sound, smart and ready to go. It is not immaculate, there is some detail work needed, yet the car represents an exciting opportunity for the Mini enthusiast to join the rarified world of Cooper S ownership with a genuine car.