A beautifully and accurately restored Mini Cooper S with a rare Works 1275 engine which was originally ordered new by Appleyards Ltd of Leeds. There is a widely accepted figure in the Mini world that just circa 700 blocks were cast with the necessary internal strengthening that were then used exclusively by the Works. The restoration has just finished having been set-up by Slark Racing prior to being offered for sale.
Julien's Perspective
SOME THOUGHTS ON THIS MODEL
The 1275cc Mk 1 Cooper S was officially launched on the 11th March 1964 and Abingdon almost from day one supported rally teams that would compete in the "up to 1300cc" classes from spring 1964 to 1970.
Early major international rallies in 1964 for the new 1273cc Cooper S included the Acropolis Rally in Greece, the 1000 lakes in Finland, Alpine Rally and the British RAC Rally. The Cooper S most famous, outright win was in the 1965 Monte Carlo rally, driven by Paddy Hopkirk and Henry Widdon followed up by their star appearance along with Bruce Forsyth onstage at the Sunday Night at the London Palladium on TV.
The Mini Cooper S continued to be winners on both rally stages and racetracks in the UK, Europe and beyond. The BMC Cooper S competed against the likes of Ford, BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Volkswagen and Volvo throughout the 1960s.
Key Elements of the Rebuild Programme freom 2015 to 2023
* The body shell was first completely stripped and then chemically treated with etch primer before the fitting of all necessary new panels, including a complete floor, 4 flute sills, front panel etc. The restored shell was then retreated with etch primer before being prepared for painting.
* New subframes were also chemically treated, primed and powder coated. Both subframes were then assembled with new bolts, updated bushes, competition upper shock absorber mounts, fitting kits etc.
* The rubber suspension cones were fitted with Tom Airey developed struts. A new steering rack was fitted along with extended competition track rod ends
* Both the front and rear suspension is fully adjustable including front bottom arms, tie bars and rear negative camber and tracking rear brackets.
* Automec supplied a compete copper nickel brake pipe set along with new servo and flexible brake hoses, new front brake callipers, EBC pads, rear alloy superfin brake drums, competition brake linings. New handbrake system with period correct, “fly off”, handbrake.
* The completed shell was fully prepared and painted in the original Tartan Red and Old English White (OEW)colour scheme used by the BMC Abingdon team (as detailed in the EDS 665B Log Book)
* 5 original Cooper S 4.5 inch steel wheels (OEW) were fitted with new Dunlop Aquajet165/70SR10 tyres.
* New complete Mk 1 S wiring harness set was supplied by Auto Sparks and fitted along with additional modifications for alternator, radio, electric radiator fan, reverse light and fog and spot lights connections etc.
* New 2 piece headlining
* New front and rear heated windscreens and rebuilt Mk 1 heater unit.
* New Mk 1 S type front only static seat belts.
* Complete engine stripped and rebuilt by Avonbar Racing including new clutch and 3.76final drive in correct Cooper S gearbox along with new remote and competition rear mount, new starter motor and 50 amp alternator.
* Newton Commercial supplied a new trim set installed with original powder coated frames. BAS supplied 1964 spec Mk 1copper S carpets in Tartan Red for both the interior and boot board.
* A Moto-Lita steering wheel was prepared along with a new indicator switch, bushes and horn button. 1.5 inch twin SU HS4carbs were refurbished by Coln engineering matched to a Maniflow competition inlet manifold and LCB exhaust system (a copy of the 1960s works side exit setup)
* Both the engine and suspension/tracking set was developed by Slark Racing using their rolling road equipment during late January 2023.
In short a stunning restored example with a rarely available "Works" engine.
