1964 Morris Mini Cooper S £46,000
This South African-assembled ‘S’ has withstood the ravages of time well and is ready to enjoy right away, says Paul Hardiman
This 1071cc Mini Cooper S – the same model that took Paddy Hopkirk to his 1964 Monte Carlo Rally win – remained with its original owner until 2013. The car was exported as a kit to South Africa in 1964, assembled at the Leykor plant and sold to its first owner in July 1965. The massive history file includes the original bill of sale, warranty, finance agreement, insurance schedule, driver’s handbook, Passport to Service booklet and even a period Special Tuning catalogue. There’s also some correspondence from the selling dealer, Connocks of Johannesburg, urging the owner to bring the car in for service because the garage had not seen it for three months...
Three small black and white photographs show it wearing race numbers, indicating a minor competition career, and there’s still an AA South Africa sticker in the rear window.
The car was restored and repainted in 1994-95. This involved much mechanical work, but judging from the notes it didn’t require much bodywork or sheet metal repairs. Photographs show it was rot-free and, judging by small dings underneath which match the floors, the sills could be original – almost unheard of for any Mini. Certainly the floorpans have not been replaced because the original jig brackets remain, albeit flattened.
The brightwork is all original and mostly good, the ‘moustache’ above the grille is lightly polished through. Period Minilitestyle wheels are shod in rather aged 165/70 Dunlops which have lots of tread, confirming it has covered few miles since the refurbishment work. Outside are a pair of period Lucas spot/fog lamps up front and a matching Lucas reversing light under the back bumper.
It’s all original inside apart from newer carpets, probably fitted 23 years ago, and a pair of rare glassfibre-framed South African-produced bucket seats, plus an add-on tachometer and switches for the extra lights. Being a South African-built car incorporating some local content, the seat vinyl is plain instead of the usual brocade pattern, but all of it plus the headlining is good and not significantly worn or soiled, further supporting that mileage.
The standard motor is clean, tidy and starts instantly with no nasty timing chain or tappet noises. The car drives really nicely, with an excellent gearchange and nice, firm brakes. Hands-off it veers very gently to the left, but we hadn’t checked the tyre pressures. The 1071 is the nicest and smoothest of all the A-series motors, and this one revs as freely as it should, showing 75psi oil pressure at any revs and 80psi at 4500rpm. The temperature gauge needle sits just off the cold segment. Overall the condition seems consistent with the 49,727 miles on the odometer.
Rarity, collectability and a retailer’s dream history put this one on the money in the mid-£40ks. It’s sold with its original steel wheels, refinished in gold, plus original fob with spare key and an MOT valid until February.