Mini Cooper S Mk III

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Born as the result of a collaboration between Alec Issigonis and John Cooper, designer and builder of Formula 1 and rally cars, the legendary Mini Cooper was launched in 1961.

The car featured a race-tuned engine, twin SU carburettors, a close-ratio gearbox and front disc brakes, uncommon at the time in a small car. In line with the rest of the Mini range the Cooper models received the Mk II updates in 1967 consisting of a squarer grille, larger rear window and bigger rear lamps, the Mk III arriving in 1969 with its concealed door hinges and swanky wind-up windows.

The more powerful Cooper S was launched in 1963 with a 1071cc or twin carb 1275cc engine which produced a healthy 76bhp and was good for 96mph – although the car was so nippy and alive you always felt you were going twice as fast as you really were! Other improvements included larger servo-assisted disc brakes, twin fuel tanks, an oil cooler and modified drive shafts.

The Cooper S immortalised itself by winning the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967, and of course for its starring role in the blockbuster film ‘The Italian Job’. The Cooper S lasted until 1971 when it was discontinued – much to the disappointment Cooper fans everywhere.

According to a letter from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, this Cooper S MkIII left the Longbridge factory on 7th September 1970. First registered on 14th January 1971, three previous keepers are shown in the logbook, its most recent winning the car in a competition run by Tyrells Crisps (lucky chap). With no storage space and arriving at the wrong time in his life, he has reluctantly decided to offer it for sale.

As far as we can make out, its first owner kept the car until 2010, the history file including a number of invoices dating back to 1978 when the engine was completely rebuilt. New main bearings and cam bearings were fitted, although we are unable to confirm what mileage the car had covered at this time.

A note on file states that it was ‘de-seamed’ sometime in the 1970s and from an old MOT it would appear to have covered only 12,000 miles since 1993. More recent invoices show work to the suspension and brakes and include a new set of four ventilated steel wheels supplied through Somerford Mini Ltd.

MOTd until May 2015, this nicely presented MkIII Cooper S is now looking for a new home - but alas is not being given away this time!