1969 AUSTIN MINI COOPER S MKII

This 1969 Austin Mini Cooper S MkII is an excellent example of the beloved British icon. It has been fitted with a Bill Richards Racing 1293cc fast road engine, coupled with a four-speed manual transmission.

First registered in the UK in August 1969, this Mini Cooper S has been in the hands of its current keeper for one year, and has been professionally stored and maintained. This car spent some time overseas but returned to the UK in March 2010 where it was re-registered with the DVLA and has had three previous keepers since arriving back in the UK.

The bodywork of this Mini is reported to be impressive, and the condition of its blue finish paintwork has been described as very good. It features white racing decals and a white roof, and while the vendor has pointed out some early signs of very minor corrosion on the offside rear wing, the paint presents very well overall. A small dent has also been pointed out on the roof, but this is only visible under close inspection. The vehicle rides on a set of smart black wheels, which are in excellent condition on all four corners.

Inside, the original black vinyl upholstery presents well with some light creasing, while a small tear can be seen on the rear seat. The vendor indicates that the dashboard surround has some surface wear in places, while the three-spoke steering wheel also presents with some minor cracking and discolouration. However, the door cards, gear knob and gauges present very well, and no electrical faults have been detected.

The current owner undertook a major mechanical restoration of the running gear in April 2020 at the hands of Classic and Sports Car Essex, which consisted of a complete subframe restoration, fitting new front and rear suspension, shock absorbers, poly bush rubbers, door rubbers, a new rocker cover gasket and a new fuel tank. In addition, a routine service was undertaken, including the usual engine oil and filter change in September 2020, at an indicated 15,013 miles at Classic and Sports Cars Essex. Prior to this, in February 2013, the car was stripped down and cleaned, with new fuel hoses and an in-line fuel filter fitted.

The most recent MOT test was on 28 October 2013 at 13,880 miles, which resulted in a clean pass with no advisories or defects. The tyres are reported to be in excellent condition, with very little wear.

Accompanying the vehicle are its British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate, along with an engine specification book and various 1970s insurance and MOT documents. It also includes a large history file of invoices and work completed.

This Austin Mini Cooper S MkII is an excellent example of the breed, which features a high-performance Bill Richards Racing engine, and drew admiring comments and attention when shown at the Hampton Court Concours of Elegance in 2020. A fun track day toy or entertaining weekend drive, this Cooper S would make a strong choice for any Mini enthusiast. It is available for full inspection at the vendor’s premises in Braintree, Essex.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.