1966 Mini Cooper FIA/HTP Race/Rally

An original UK, 998cc Mini Cooper presented as a full race/rally spec 1293S impressively rebuilt by Snetterton Speedshop in 2021 with little or no use since. The chassis number for the Cooper – KA2S4-896682 – indicates that it started life as a UK-home market, right-hand drive Morris Cooper 998cc Mk1 that was subsequently prepared to Cooper S competition-specification and fitted with a full race 1,293cc power unit.

The car spent some time in Belgium from 1990 until purchased by its present owner in 2019, at which point it returned to the UK and commenced a schedule of works which brought the Mini up to its current condition and specification. This included a full strip to a bare shell which was totally reworked as required, subframes repaired and updated, a full engine rebuild utilising correct 1,293cc parts including new valves, piston rings, mild KAD rally cam and the correct rocker gear.

A straight-cut gear kit in a period S gearbox was sourced and fitted with straight-cut drop gears, a Cooper S remote gearchange and an ultra-light flywheel were also pressed into action. Other additions include twin SU carburettors and a Cooper S manifold, a new oil cooler, radiator, water pump, race/rally dynamo, and a fully-legal stainless steel exhaust system, rally skidded and all FIA-compliant.

Internally, this little Mini is currently prepared as a rally car with a Works-style dash, footplate and competition seats. A full breakdown of the rebuild and technical info is available upon request. Previously a very competitive little racer, winning its class in the European FIA Historic Touring Car Championship amongst other notable results, it is now prepared to  FIA/HTP rally-specification, opening out the future possibilities for this quick little Mini, very sensibly guided at a fraction of the build costs and accompanied by its recently-issued FIA/HTP papers.