Mini Cooper MkI Historic Rally Car

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Alec Issigonis’ iconic Mini was launched in 1959 and was to have a profound effect on the future design of the car. Brilliant packaging of engine and gearbox allowed 80% of the vehicle’s footprint to be used for passengers and luggage.

It soon became apparent that the Mini was also huge fun to drive and its go-kart like handling was very effective in competition. John Cooper, a friend of Issigonis, persuaded him to allow development of a competition version, the Mini Cooper making its debut in 1961 with a 997cc long stroke engine.

This was supplanted in 1964 with the 998cc unit. The standard car's output of 34bhp increased to 55bhp, and the twin SUs and close ratio gearbox made for a very successful formula. A shorter stroke higher power 'S' version was added, primarily for circuit racing.

A real giant-slayer, the Mini Cooper dominated rallying in the Sixties with Monte Carlo Rally wins from 1964-1967. Having won in 1966, they were infamously disqualified because of an irregularity in the lighting system. However the ensuing rumpus produced more positive publicity than the company could have hoped for and the moral victory was theirs.

BMC’s Abingdon Competition Department prepared a Mini Cooper registered ‘11 NYB’ for the 1962 Monte Carlo Rally. Works driver Rauno Aaltonen was assigned to drive the car (competitor number 100) which was co-driven by the car’s owner, Geoff Mabbs, a factory-supported private entrant from the West Country. During the event, with Aaltonen at the wheel, 11 NYB rolled out of contention, the Flying Finn having to be extricated by Mabbs from the upturned car, which then caught fire at the roadside.

Almost certainly requiring a new bodyshell during what would have been a major rebuild, neither the car nor its 11 NYB registration appeared on any more international or national rally entry lists in period. Only in recent years has a Mini Cooper registered 11 NYB been rallied on historic events, raising the possibility that it may have been rebuilt around a replacement bodyshell.

Indeed, this car’s accompanying Heritage Certificate records that Austin Mini Cooper, chassis number C-A2S7/194262, was supplied new to Arthur Alsop Ltd of Newport, Monmouthshire in December 1961. How much, if any, of the original 11 NYB remains is impossible to say.

Purchased by well-known motor sport TV film maker and producer David Winstanley in 1994, it was then totally restored between 1997 and 2000 with a large file of invoices to document the process. In November 2000 it was bought by noted amateur rally driver, Lady Pauline Harris, who promptly sent it to Orchard Restorations of East Sussex for a money-no-object makeover in order to prepare it for the 2001 Monte Carlo Winter Challenge.

During the race preparation the 997cc Downton engine fitted to the car was deemed too far gone to be repaired so a replacement 998cc engine was fitted, fully rebuilt to competition spec with a Rally 260 camshaft, Stage 4 modified head and numerous other upgrades. A rod-change gearbox with quick-shift was also fitted along with a huge number of other modifications all amply documented by many bills on file.

After the Winter Challenge the car was developed yet further by Orchard Restorations, a cursory tot up of the bills showing that at least £20,000 was spent on the car between 2000 and 2003, excluding all the expensive stop watches, trip meters and other navigation instruments which are still fitted and are included in the sale. Scrutineer stickers on the car attest to various competitive outings during this period including the Classic Malts Rally and Le Jog in 2002 and the Scottish Malts in 2003.

The vendor acquired the car from Lady Harris in 2009 and has used it only sparingly, including a tarmac event at Curborough in 2011. He reports that it remains a very competitive machine and is in excellent mechanical order throughout with an MOT until June 2016. Some 13 old MOTs from 1999 to 2016 show that the car has covered less than 2,600 miles throughout this period.

In addition to the aforementioned invoices and Heritage Certificate, 11 NYB comes with an original handbook; copies of Autosport’s articles about the 1962 Monte Carlo Rally; a copy photograph of the crashed Mini at the ’62 Monte; a copy photograph of Aaltonen and Mabbs with 11 NYB; assorted old tax discs; original and copies of the old V5 and a current V5C.

Altogether a thoroughly sorted Cooper with an intriguing link to a period works-supported car that is sure to open many doors for the fortunate new owner and will be warmly welcomed at any number of shows and historic events.