1961 Morris Mini Cooper (S)

First introduced in 1959, the Mini is the most famous small car in the world. The inventor, Sir Alec Issigonis, and friend, John Cooper, could both see the potential of the car in competition and their joint vision lead to the Morris Mini Cooper first appearing in 1961. Their development efforts and innovative approach eventually led to the Austin Mini Cooper S appearing in 1963, and they went on to claim worldwide success in both rallying and racing with the versatile and nimble Mini. The Cooper S's iconic appeal as a sportier version of the Mini was specifically underlined by its success at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967, as well as its appearance in the 1967 British film, 'The Italian Job', in which Minis and played a key role in a bank heist.

This lovely Mini Cooper, modified to "S' specification, shows just two previous owners on the log book. Interestingly, the car was delivered new in 1961 to Peter Swatman, the managing director of SU Carburetors, a company that had been supplying BMC with carburettors for many years and had been instrumental in helping John Cooper extract 54bhp from the 997cc engine in the first Mini Coopers.We understand from information in the history file that the original engine (997cc) was exchanged for a 1071cc 'S' engine in 1965, and the rest of the car was upgraded to "S' specification.

Unfortunately, due to rust and wiring harness problems, the car was re-shelled in 1967.

The car was continuously used up until the 1980s when it was retired, residing at the Swatman family home until 2010.It was then that the family chose to have the Mini fully restored over the course of two years to a good standard, documented in the car's excellent history file which details the work undertaken. It now looks every inch the hot little 1071S from late 1963.

In 2013, it was time for a new journey and the car was purchased by our vendor who has continued to enjoy and maintain this lovely evocative Mini Cooper. Presented with a substantial history file which even includes receipts from the mid to late 1970s, this Mini Cooper to "S' specification has great ownership history and is now ready for a new custodian to use and enjoy.