Mini Cooper MkI

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OCH 97E rolled off the production line on 10th May 1967 and was registered for the road one week later. The Heritage Certificate accompanying this Mk1 Mini Cooper tells us that much. It cannot, however, tell us of the intervening years or the fact that the car was lovingly rebuilt in 2010.

The time and effort put into the restoration of this Cooper is evident in the condition of the car over eight years later. It still looks fabulous and, we are told, runs and drives very well. There is little documentary evidence of the rebuild, which was a bare-shell restoration done by the owner for his own pleasure, but there are photographs with the car which give some idea of the work involved.

The car is as it first came from the factory in most respects, but there are a few subtle upgrades: the engine is a later, twin-carb 1,275cc Metro engine with alternator, the suspension is adjustable, and the car is fitted with genuine Minilite 10x4.5 alloy wheels. The interior has been retrimmed with new upholstery and carpets following the original red and grey colour scheme. There is also a new headlining with the car, but it has not yet been fitted.

Since the restoration was completed in 2010 the car has covered only 3,100 miles (the odometer was re-set to zero) and has only done 500 miles since its last MOT (October 2016). OCH 97E is now MOT- and tax-exempt.

This Mk1 Cooper is in stunning condition and, although not absolutely original, is more like a two-year-old car than a 52-year-old one. This is a car that is ready to show and ready to go and is as practical and entertaining as it was when new.