1967 Austin Mini Cooper

The first Mini Cooper was launched in July 1961 and is still revered today as the second most important car in history after the Ford Model T. It had been developed by the designer of the original Mini, Sir Alec Issigonis, with racing driver and engineer, John Cooper who in 1959 had driven a prototype Mini to the Italian Grand Prix and had been greatly impressed by the car. It was initially produced with a 997cc version of the BMC A series engine and fitted with twin SU carburettors, a revised cylinder head and an improved exhaust system. The car was also fitted with a close ratio gearbox, a higher axle ratio than the standard Mini and front disc brakes. These Coopers were easily distinguishable from the standard models by the different front grill, two tone paintwork, and on the Mk. 1, two tone upholstery. All Coopers were fitted with a 100mph speedometer as op-posed to the 90mph units on standard cars. The Mini Cooper and Cooper 'S' were successful as rally cars, fa-mously winning the Monte Carlo Rally four times from 1964 through to 1967, under the stewardship of famous drivers such as the legendary Paddy Hopkirk, Rauno Aaltonen and Timo Mäkinen.

We are huge fans of Minis here at Silverstone Auctions, and offered here is an Austin Mini Cooper that was first registered on 28th July 1967, bearing registration "OML 276E'. In the ownership of our vendor since 1991, this was his first car upon passing his driving test at 17 years old, and was used as a daily runner for 8 months, before it was decided that a full rebuild was necessary. The ensuing restoration was to take 5 years to complete and during the cars' first evolution it ran a 1293cc Swiftune engine, in respect of which there is a bill in the history file for £1,818! In this guise, our vendor entered the car into the BARC Speed Championship and regularly competed with "OML 276E' at sprint and hill climb events all over the UK until the early 2000s.

For the next chapter of this Mini Cooper's life, it was garaged and used very sparingly until 2008, when it was again taken on track, this time though, to be used on track days. On one such day at Brands Hatch in 2009, avoiding another stricken car, our vendor spun and ended up putting his pride and joy on its roof! Having built the car once before, he decided to take the plunge again, and put "OML 276E' through its second restoration, the result of which is truly outstanding.

The bodyshell was restored in 2011 by respected Mini specialists, Somerford Mini, at a cost of an eye-watering £12,578. The repair work was extensive and included new inner sills, new windscreen apertures, new rear wings and a re-skin of the driver's door. The roll cage was fabricated by Andy Robinson Race Cars to full FIA / MSA specification, before the car was finished in the period colours of Fiesta Yellow with an Old English White roof.

Engine technical specs:

•1380cc•Twin 1.5" HS4 SU Carburettors•MED Ram intake •Stage 3 Swiftune cylinder head•Swiftune SW10 camshaft•Lightened & polished conrods•Cross - drilled crankshaft•Mini Superlight flywheel & steel back plate•AP racing clutch plate & cover•Cooper S 4 synchro gearbox with Hardy Spicer output shafts•Straight cut transfer gears by MED•3.9 Final Drive•Large capacity bespoke aluminium radiator•Maniflow RCM exhaust system with LCB manifold•High-torque starter motor•122bhp on Peter Baldwin's rolling road

Sitting on Mini Spares 10" Rose Petal wheels clad with Dunlop CR65 tyres, the braking system also received a lot of attention with the fitting of Tarox discs and Mini Spares 4-pot callipers, adjustable suspension and a Kent Auto Developments rear anti roll bar complete the package. The fuel tank is a 20 litre foam filled tank by Jaz.

Open the driver's door of this little pocket rocket clearly states its intent with its Sparco steering wheel, single Cobra bucket seat and 4-point safety harness. Potential buyers should satisfy themselves as to the legality and currency of all the safety equipment in this car. Weighing in at only 600kgs (wet) this car has Lexan windows and a laminated front screen - all in the name of keeping the weight to a minimum.

Since its completion in 2013, "OML 276E' has only been used on 2 full track days at Silverstone GP and Rockingham, and 2 evening track sessions at Snetterton and Cadwell Park. Our vendor is now ready to pass on the reins of this fabulous car to a new owner who will have various options as to what to do with it and where to go. The car could continue to turn heads on track days, at sprints or hill climbs, return to the circuits or simply be enjoyed as a fast road car and weekend toy. If the new owners do plan to take it racing they would be well advised to make sure that the car complies with current MSA and FIA regulations.

Currently on a SORN, this road legal Mini Cooper will need minor fettling to pass an MoT test. "OML 276E' comes with a thick history file, documenting virtually every penny spent on the car by our vendor during his 24 years of ownership. A truly outstanding creation, Minis of this quality rarely come to market, making this an extra special opportunity for a new purchaser.