1965 Mini Cooper Mk1

Designed as project ADO15 (Austin Drawing Office project number 15), the Mini came about because of the fuel shortage caused by the 1956 Suez Crisis. Petrol was once again rationed in the UK, sales of large cars slumped but the market for German 'bubble' cars boomed. Leonard Lord, the somewhat autocratic head of BMC, reportedly detested these cars so much that he vowed to rid the streets of them and design a 'proper miniature car'.Alec Issigonis, had been working for Alvis, but had now been recruited back to BMC in 1955. So with his skills in designing small cars he was a natural for the task. The team that designed the Mini was remarkably small: along with Alec Issigonis, there was Jack Daniels (who had worked with him on the Morris Minor), Chris Kingham (who had been with him at Alvis), two engineering students and four draughtsmen. Together, by October 1957, they had designed and built the original prototype, which was affectionately named "The Orange Box" because of its colour.

Issigonis' friend John Cooper, owner of the Cooper Car Company and designer and builder of various Formula One and rally cars, quickly saw the potential of the Mini for competition use. However Issigonis was initially reluctant to see the Mini in the role of a performance car, but after John Cooper appealed to BMC management, the two men collaborated to create the Mini Cooper. It was a nimble, economical and inexpensive car. The Austin Mini Cooper and Morris Mini Cooper debuted in 1961

Built on the 4th of May 1965, finished in Tweed Grey with an Old English White Roof, FPX 389C was supplied by Wadhams Limited of Chichester and was issued with a West Sussex registration mark. Prior to restoration the car was last issued with a valid MOT certificate on the 16th of March 2006. This particular car has had £3700.00 of brand new parts alone fitted there are invoices available to support this in the history file. Many hundreds of hours of dedicated time have been devoted to recreating the original magical appeal that this car represented when new.

The vendor informs us of a full photographically documented record of the removal of all the parts, this was painstakingly done over a period of two years. The attention to detail in the rebuild of this car is truly staggering. The restoration was to original factory specification, a full description of this restoration is available in an album that has been put together by the vendor (available to view at the auction and included with the Lot). 'FPX 389C' was subject to a ground up restoration retaining the original body shell and body number, but with almost all the other panels being renewed with new parts. (Bonnet; wings; front panels; A - panels; inner and outer sills; boot lid; door skins, full floor replacement). The bodywork was completely re worked to very highest standard including the trial fitting of all the panels prior to painting. The underside of this Mini Cooper is every bit as good as on the top being fully painted and detailed throughout, the interior has been completely retrimmed to the very highest standard.

The engine has been fully rebuilt with a re bor and new pistons, it has been lightened and balanced and its specification includes new piston rings and oil pump, plus a 997 camshaft with double timing chain. Likewise the transmission has also been overhauled and now runs with a 3.1 differential for maximum speed at lower revs. The cylinder head has been upgraded using a Janspeed unit along with the fitting of bigger valves and the car will run on unleaded fuel. The head has also been ported and gas flowed for increased performance. A performance three branch manifold custom exhaust has been fitted to aid engine breathing so the engine runs beautifully.Many new parts have gone into this restoration including a new rear sub-frame, the front sub-frame has been stripped rebuilt and painted. The braking system has been completely upgraded to Cooper S spec with larger discs and callipers to the front and bigger drums to the rear; the list really does go on. From our past experience show winning Mini Coopers do not remain unsold for very long, so if you are looking for a stunning example with great investment prospects - then this is the one for you. Sold with a current MOT until Feb 2014 this really is a turn-key completed project. So there is nothing to do other than enjoy this 'Mini Adventure' and admire the attention to detail that has been put into this beautiful restoration.