Description
This is lot number 181 in the Bonhams Goodwood Revival Auction on September 7th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Successfully raced in period by Anita Taylor
Known ownership history
Extensively restored in 2019/ 2020
Original Aurora Gears Racing livery
1, 293cc engine
Thoroughly researched provenance
This Austin Cooper 1071 S ('110 NNM', affectionately known as Minty) was manufactured on 6th February 1964 in Tartan Red with a black roof and with the factory optional extras of an extra fuel tank and close-ratio gearbox. Minty was delivered via H A Saunders of Finchley to Douglas Wilson Spratt's Delta Garage at Leighton Buzzard, famous for the WSM racing Sprites, on 23rd March 1964.
'110 NNM' was purchased from Spratt and prepared with a Downton Engineering racing engine for Anita Taylor, sister of Trevor Taylor, one-time team-mate of Jim Clark at Team Lotus. Anita's was one of two 1071 S Minis the Taylors raced under the Aurora Gears Racing banner, Trevor's being un-registered. Both Minis were painted in the team colours of turquoise with a crimson stripe, and both were fitted with long-range fabricated aluminium fuel tanks with endurance events in mind.
Anita's first race of the '64 season in Minty was at Goodwood in the St Mary's Trophy, managing a solid finish. More races followed at Oulton Park, Aintree (twice), Mallory Park, Crystal Palace and at the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch, which was captured on several films of the event. Upgraded with the new and more powerful 1275 Cooper S engine, Minty returned to Oulton Park for the Gold Cup where Anita beat her brother Trevor for the first time.
At the end of the 1964 season both team cars were sold, Minty being purchased by Robbie Gordon, who took the Mini to Alexander Engineering in Haddenham for a much needed rebuild, after which it was repainted in the Newtune (of Cambridge) team colours of grey with maroon roof. Robbie raced the Mini on-and-off for the next two years but more often than not invited his good friend David Wansborough to race the car, as was the case for the St Mary's Trophy at Goodwood in April 1965. In August 1965 Wansborough shared Minty with future tin-top racing legend Gerry Marshall at the Snetterton 500 where the pair took a surprise class win. Gerry's own winner's trophy for the race may be found in the comprehensive history file together with many race programmes, photographs, and race reports of the period.
By the end of 1966 Minty had passed to Mini racing aficionado, John Aley, who subsequently sold the car to Terence Cole of Leicester, the last owner listed in the original logbook (on file). In the 1970s Minty's racing career took yet another twist as the car was modified to Special Saloon regulations and raced in the Forward Trust series.
By the mid-1980s Minty had been laid up and partially dismantled, albeit still retaining its original bodyshell and steel doors. Crucially, the car's original paperwork, logbook and invoices had travelled with it, so re-registration was a formality. In the early 2000s an extensive restoration was undertaken for then owner Steve Hughes by the widely respected Mini Cooper specialist, the late John Kelly, who had the original bodyshell blasted; surprisingly little corrosion was found.
The original doors were not restored as new items were preferred, but later served as crucial reference points as several layers of history were sanded down by the current owner (and Mini historian) Pete Flanagan to reveal the original Aurora Gears Racing livery. In 2019, body and paint specialist Nick Wardley repainted Minty in correct Aurora Gears turquoise. At the same time the 1275 S engine was rebuilt to Group 2 racing specification (and 1, 293cc) by renowned engine builder Phil Anning. Other modifications notified are as follows: period roll cage; race seat; Spriingall steering wheel; Irvin harness; Cooper racing wheels; straight-cut gearbox; SU H4 carburettors; race exhaust; Speedwell anti-roll bar; and Dunlop CR65 racing tyres.
Since then Pete Flanagan has competed in numerous Historic hill climb and sprint events as well as reuniting the car with Anita Taylor herself on several occasions, including the Cheshire Concours at Oulton Park where she happily signed the roof headliner. Gerry Marshall's son Gregor also drove the car at Shelsley Walsh in 2022.
Minty (so named by the race marshals) remains one of the very few genuine 1960s racing Mini Coopers to survive today. This unique car boasts Goodwood racing history and participation in two British Grand Prix meetings. Raced by Gerry Marshall and trailblazing lady driver Anita Taylor (81 this year) it comes with thoroughly researched provenance and an extensive history file.
