Vendor supplied images
Highlights
- One of the last factory Mk1 Coopers built
- Homage to the Monte Carlo-winning Coopers
- Restored and uprated to 'S' specification by specialist
- Only 9,000 miles since rebuild
- Rally-inspired trim with buckets and dials
- Large history file with detailed and handwritten records
- Finished in Island Blue with Old English White roof
The Appeal
It began as a spacious shopping runabout, but it found its true calling as a tiny road rocket. Whether battling much bigger V8s at Goodwood or scrabbling along the Monte Carlo rally, the original Cooper was a mesmerising giant-slayer.
It is hard to over-estimate the Cooper’s influence. It all began with cars like this, an original ‘67 Cooper. It was one of the last Mk1s built and likely entertained its keepers before arriving with well regarded restorer Anchor Autos of Bristol in 1998. The brief to Anchor was to create a grin-inducing, hugely entertaining homage to those Monte-winning Coopers. There began an extensive restoration across the mechanicals and bodywork that included an upgrade to ‘S’ brakes and suspension. The engine was bored out to 1,340cc, a host of rally features were added to the interior and a fast road cam fitted. There is also a straight cut and rebuilt gearbox.
It has covered just 9,000 miles since, the ensuing years carefully documented in a large history file of invoices and handwritten notes, right down to petrol purchases.
This pretty Island Blue Cooper would be perfect for regulatory events or classic car tours. Or simply find some local B roads and have a blast. It comes with MOT to August 2025.
History and Paperwork
- First registered 3rd July 1967
- Built in June 1967
- Despatched by the factory to Kennings Ltd, Sheffield
- Eight registered keepers
- Current registered keeper since November 2005
- This corresponds with the full body and mechanical restoration by Anchor Autos Bristol in 1998
- Purchased by the current keeper’s husband in November 2005
- Car had covered 7,000 miles when purchased by current keeper's husband
- Barely used between 2005 and 2017 when it was put into storage
- Large history file including old MoTs and invoices for works
- There is also a detailed restoration report from 1998
- Detailed handwritten owner's record of subsequent service works, MoT’s, and petrol purchases
- Heritage Certificate and handbooks
- Odometer zero’d during completion and has covered 9,000 miles since
- No advisories on any MOT test since 2006 to 2018
- MOT history verifies sparing use between 2006 and 2018
- V5 in current keeper’s name
- Recent light recommissioning detailed below
- Supplied with MOT to 2nd August 2025 with one minor advisory
Summary of 1998 restoration work:
- Bodywork fully restored and resprayed in the correct original Island Blue with Old English White roof
- Mechanicals restored and upgraded to ‘S’ specification
- Twin Cooper S tanks
- Heated front and rear screens
- Engine rebuilt and bored out to 1,340cc
- Fast road camshaft installed
- Rebuilt straight cut manual gearbox
- Suspension and brakes rebuilt with Cooper S parts
- Cooper S brakes and suspension
- Rally bucket seats with harnesses
- Rally instrumentation
- Odometer zero’d
Recent recommissioning:
- New clutch slave cylinder
- Timing adjustment
- Carburettor cleaned
- New battery
The vendor writes:
"Designed by Alex Issigonis in 1959, a new concept in car design was born. With a monocoque shell, transversely mounted engine and front-wheel drive, the new 'Mini', soon became popular across a broad spectrum of the population. The potential for competition use was soon seen by many.
"BMC were finally persuaded by John Cooper and the two worked together in culminating 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.
"It is in the spirit of this remarkable sporting achievement that this Mini Cooper was upgraded as an authentic and realistic homage to the cars driven by Timo Makinen, Rauno Aaltonen and Paddy Hopkirk, who took their Mini Coopers to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place before this outrageous French decision to disqualify them all."
"Designed by Alex Issigonis in 1959, a new concept in car design was born. With a monocoque shell, transversely mounted engine and front-wheel drive, the new 'Mini', soon became popular across a broad spectrum of the population. The potential for competition use was soon seen by many.
"BMC were finally persuaded by John Cooper and the two worked together in culminating 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.
"It is in the spirit of this remarkable sporting achievement that this Mini Cooper was upgraded as an authentic and realistic homage to the cars driven by Timo Makinen, Rauno Aaltonen and Paddy Hopkirk, who took their Mini Coopers to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place before this outrageous French decision to disqualify them all."
The Condition
- Older restoration in Island Blue with OEW roof in good order
- Good condition with some light marks to be anticipated due to age
- Chrome front and rear bumpers with rear corner nudge guards
- Mk1 factory aesthetics
- Four auxiliary driving lights
- Genuine Minilite alloy wheels with Yokohama tyres
- Rally bucket seats installed in the front with Britax harnesses
- Rally instruments fitted to the dashboard
- Heated screens front and rear
- Interior is functional and usable reflecting the car’s purpose
The Mechanics
- Engine rebuilt in 1998 and bored out to 1,340cc
- 'Fast road' camshaft installed
- Gearbox rebuilt with straight cut gears
- Suspension and brakes rebuilt using Cooper S parts
- Recent light recommissioning as detailed above
- MOT to 2nd August 2024
The vendor has experienced the car so over to him to describe the experience:
"The car drives as expected with lively performance and is simply a thrill to experience with higher gearing than standard, allowing more comfortable road use and excellent gear ratios. In every respect, this feels like a true tribute to the Monte Carlo Rally winners that should have been in 1966 with this 1967 registered Mini Cooper, complete with Heritage Certificate confirming it as Island Blue with Old English White roof.
"It is nuts to drive! Ear-to-ear grin factor all round and be prepared to be photographed and filmed by passers-by. This takes you back to the 1966 Monte Carlo Rally like nothing else can. Nothing this small should be able to give as much fun but it does.
"It celebrates the pinnacle of Britain's best-loved motor car with the recognition of its total domination in motorsport. A passing similarity to the cast of 'The Italian Job' is also noteworthy!"
"The car drives as expected with lively performance and is simply a thrill to experience with higher gearing than standard, allowing more comfortable road use and excellent gear ratios. In every respect, this feels like a true tribute to the Monte Carlo Rally winners that should have been in 1966 with this 1967 registered Mini Cooper, complete with Heritage Certificate confirming it as Island Blue with Old English White roof.
"It is nuts to drive! Ear-to-ear grin factor all round and be prepared to be photographed and filmed by passers-by. This takes you back to the 1966 Monte Carlo Rally like nothing else can. Nothing this small should be able to give as much fun but it does.
"It celebrates the pinnacle of Britain's best-loved motor car with the recognition of its total domination in motorsport. A passing similarity to the cast of 'The Italian Job' is also noteworthy!"
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