"These fabulous and popular little cars were designed in 1959 and were heralded as a new concept in car design. Little did they know or envisage what would become of these great models. With a monocoque shell, transversely mounted engine and front wheel drive, the new 'Mini' soon became popular across the world and to all types of individual well healed or not! The potential for competition use was soon seen by John Cooper; he eventually persuaded BMC and the two worked together culminating in the birth of the Austin Mini Cooper and the Morris Mini Cooper in 1961. Victories in the 1964, 1965 and 1967 Monte-Carlo Rallies set the Mini on the road to fame but probably the greatest publicity was gained from their, somewhat unfair, disqualification for lighting irregularities in the 1966 event after coming in 1st, 2nd and 3rd. A more powerful Mini Cooper, dubbed the 'S', was developed in tandem and released in 1963. 
Offered here is a truly exceptional Mk. I Austin Cooper restored to its original specification. Such high quality restorations are usually reserved for only the very best Cooper S models, making this probably the best condition Cooper on the road. Restored from the ground up in its original colours of Tweed Grey with Old English White roof, this car wants for nothing. Such was the obsessive nature of the restoration, that there are an abundance of period correct details not often found on many Minis, that will surely please any Mini aficionado. A good example of this is the period correct, crimped exhaust silencer, fabricated because these items are no longer available. Indeed, throughout the extensive photographic record of the restoration, you can see that no stone has been left unturned in the pursuit of perfection and it is a pleasure to see such effort going into something other than an ‘S’. The history file shows that since its restoration in 2013 the engine was rebuilt in 2017 and has hardly done any work since. Such pride was taken in the restoration of this car that a full photo gallery of it can still be seen on the restorer’s website. The Heritage Certificate shows this car to have been originally completed on 10th February 1966 and despatched to Solihull Motor Company on 26th February 1966 with the only option added being a fresh-air heater.
Supplied with the Heritage Certificate, history file, driver’s handbook, photographic record of its restoration and MoT test certificate valid until September 2021. This unique and correct Cooper is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when heart rules over head.

 
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