1966 Morris Mini Cooper 1275S

The car has had a fresh MOT prior to the sale

It's amazing how many motoring images from three or four years in the mid-1960s have gone on to become almost iconic. Steve McQueen's Highland Green, Shelby 390GT with smoke pouring from the tortured rear tyres, Jim Clark's Lotus Cortina waving a wheel at the crowd, bespattered, orange and blue, Gulf GT40s crossing the finishing line at Le Mans, and anyone with even a passing interest in rallying can instantly recall those night-time pictures of the world-beating works Mini-Cooper S' of Aaltonen, Makinen and Hopkirk battling through heavy snow on the Col de Turini in 1965 and 1966.

It certainly was the sensation in the 1963/64 winter rally season. The tiny little car immediately became a legend. The saga of 1966 is well documented when the works Mini Coopers of Makinen, Aaltonen and Hopkirk left all the others far behind finishing first, second and third at the end of the Rally only for the French race commissioners, after an eight hour technical inspection, to establish that the external headlight brackets were illegal and disqualified the first three cars. Sacre Bleu!

This particular car is a genuine Mk1 Morris Mini Cooper 1275 S as confirmed by its Heritage Trust Certificate in the accompanying history file. It was originally supplied by Stewart and Arden Ltd of Acton, London in July 1966, having been built in May 1966, and was fitted from new with a fresh air heater, oil cooler and extra fuel tank. From the Certificate we can see that the car still retains its original chassis number, engine number and body number.

Owned, but not used in anger, by its private owner since 2015, the car is today effectively a 'Works replica' rally car that is really great fun to drive and is welcome at events and shows throughout the world. All the right period Mini competition parts, updates and legal modifications are present and the car could easily be prepared for historic competitive rallying or simply be enjoyed on the road and exhibited at events. It's fitted with a Jack Knight straight-cut gearbox, full roll-cage, magnesium Minilites, 3.7 Diff, 'Works' heated front screen, perspex side and rear windows and twin alloy fuel tanks (foam filled). According to our vendor, the floor is solid and appears original with no evidence of panel replacement. With fairly high-gearing, the Mini is still quick but is reasonably quiet at higher speeds.

Offered with a comprehensive history file containing the Heritage Certificate, the current V5C and many prior MOTs, bills and receipts. Viewing is highly recommended and the car is with us now and can be seen in Warwickshire prior to the Sale or at the Silverstone Classic on Friday 26th August before the sale on Saturday 27th.

'LLT 475D' is a fantastic example of a genuine 1966 1275S prepared as an homage to the works cars of the sixties and, is not only cosmetically delightful, but is mechanically well-developed and could be competitive at club and historic level. It's road registered, has lots of presence, and would be hard to beat in terms of sheer driving fun for the money.