1965 Austin Mini Cooper 1275S Competition Car

• A superbly presented and well prepared 1275S with an interesting history
• In 1991, it was fully rebuilt by Roger Tello and Bill Richards Racing and prepared for Historic European rallying
• Many years of success followed, in the hands of John Brigden, including 1st overall in the 1992 Imber Stages
• 1st Belgian Historic Rally '92/ '93, 6th '92 Britannia Rally, 3rd '93 Tulip and 1st in Class at the 1998 Ypres Rally
• Took part in the first three Goodwood Festival of Speeds, entered by John Cooper, John Brigden at the wheel, also featured on Top Gear
• Recently treated to a fresh coat of Almond Green. Proud possessor of an FIA HTP valid until the end of 2031
• The quintessential historic rally car and very sensibly guided for a car that would be welcome anywhere

According to its BMIHT Certificate, Austin Mini Cooper S, C-A2S7/675264 began life on 13/01/1965 finished in Tartan Red with a black roof and trimmed in the classic Red/Gold-Grey fabric. It was optioned from new with a heater, four and a half inch wheels, an oil cooler and a second fuel tank and was despatched on 24/03/1965 to dealer J.Gibbs Ltd. of Feltham prior to spending the next 25 years as a road car.

In 1991, it was fully rebuilt by Roger Tello and Bill Richards Racing and prepared for Historic European rallying. The car's FIA Historic Vehicle Identity Form is dated 20/11/1991 and shows the Cooper in Almond Green and OEW so we imagine that it had a change of colour from red and black at the time of the rebuild.

There followed many years of success, both here in the UK and in Europe, in the hands of John Brigden, often guided by Nick Wright, including first overall in the 1992 Imber Stages, first in class at the Belgian Historic Rally in 1992 and '93, 6th in class at the '92 Britannia Rally, 3rd in class at the '93 Tulip and 1st in Class at the 1998 Ypress Rally. There were numerous other wins and awards and many of the results sheets are in the car's history file. It also took part in the first three Goodwood Festival of Speed meetings, entered by John Cooper with John Brigden at the wheel, and has been featured on Top Gear. As with any successful competition car, the spec is substantial and full details are with the car but include a 'Swiftune' engine with a straight-cut box, Trans-X  LSD, heavy duty driveshafts, Maxi C-V joints, Rose-jointed lower arms, adjustable tie bars, Aluminium foam fuel tank, twin Facet fuel pumps, Corbeau GT rally seats with Sabelt 4-point harnesses and all the usual mods and safety equipment associated with International Rallying.

Recently treated to a fresh coat of Almond Green, EUO 868C is the proud possessor of an FIA 'Competition Touring Car Historic Technical Passport' , Class CT7 valid until the end of 2031 and renewable. The Passport relates to "Racing and Hill-Climb and Rally" offering the Mini's new owner real flexibility with a choice of disciplines. The car itself presents really well and just looks 'right'. Iconic is a word that is frequently incorrectly used, but an Almond Green Mini Cooper 1275S from 1965 when British rally cars were the best in the world is undoubtedly iconic. It's accompanied by its V5C, current HTP, the older Historic Vehicle Identity Form, the Heritage Certificate, various invoices, copies of period paperwork, correspondence and results, and magazines covering the car's eventful life. Your personal inspection is welcomed and encouraged and half an hour reading the history file would be time well spent.

Undoubtedly still competitive in the right hands but equally suitable as an entry into the world of motorsport for someone new who may want to start doing a few hill-climbs and stage rallies at club level. This is the quintessential historic rally car and very sensibly guided for a car that would be welcome anywhere.

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