1963 Austin Mini Cooper S 1071

• Short-lived production run, the 1071 was built between April 1963 and the end of August 1964
• Manufactured on the 22/10/1963 and supplied new via Vincents of Reading
• Purchased in November 1963 by Dessie McCartney, the well-known Irish rally driver
• Driven with much success in many well-known events, including the 1967 Circuit of Ireland Rally
• Dessie owned the car right up until 1999 before selling it to another Mini enthusiast, who owned it until 2019, spending the last years restoring it, with less than 100 miles covered since
• Original colours of Almond Green and Old English White roof, as per accompanying Heritage Certificate
• Believed matching numbers and original shell, correct engine with just 33,093 miles (believed genuine)
• Twin tanks and genuine Cooper S 4.5J wheels

To many, its designer Alec Issigonis included, the notion that the Mini might have a future as anything other than basic transport was an anathema, and the idea of a high-performance version was laughable. One man, though, saw it quite differently. Racing car manufacturer John Cooper already knew quite a bit about tuning BMC's A-Series engine - he was running the company's Formula Junior effort at the time - and a test drive in a prototype Mini convinced him of its competition potential. John Cooper appealed to BMC Management, with Issigonis' concerns being disregarded and the two good friends eventually cooperated in creating what rapidly became, and still remains, a legendary little motor car - the Mini Cooper. The more powerful Mini Cooper 'S' appeared in 1963 and quickly established itself as the basis for competition-focused models. Larger disc brakes, more luxurious upholstery and discrete 'S' badges on the bonnet and boot were subtle upgrades with the real changes made to the adaptable A-series engine.

The 1071cc Cooper S was the first Cooper S produced by BMC, and the first of the Minis to succeed at the Monte Carlo Rally. Visits to the winners' circle became a regular event as Mini chalked up numerous international race wins - including three at the prestigious Monte Carlo rally from 1964 to 1967. The definitive 'Giant Killer', only 4,000 or so 1071cc-engined Mini Cooper S cars were made between April 1963 and August 1964.

The car presented here is a 1963 Austin Mini Cooper 1071cc 'S' manufactured on the 22nd October 1963 and supplied new via Vincents of Reading. It was subsequently purchased in November 1963 by Dessie McCartney, the well-known Irish rally driver and automotive personality. Dessie drove the car with much success in many prestigious events, including the 1967 Circuit of Ireland Rally, coming 8th, with a certain Paddy Hopkirk coming 1st. There are lots of photos in the owner's file of the Mini in action in period. Obviously attached to the car, Dessie owned it right up until 1999 before selling it to another Mini enthusiast, who in turn owned it until 2019, spending the last four years restoring it, with less than 100 miles covered since. Now resplendent in its original colours of Almond Green and Old English White, as per its accompanying Heritage Certificate, this is a super little car with an interesting provenance. It is believed still matching numbers and we understand retains its original shell, with the correct engine and just 33,093 miles indicated (believed genuine), its purposeful demeanour is finished off with twin tanks and genuine Cooper S 4.5J wheels. With only a few miles covered since restoration, this 1071 Cooper S will make a useful and fun purchase, safe in the knowledge that all the hard work has been done and the