Withdrawn
- Withdrawn
Lot details
Registration No: KMP776K
Chassis No: XAD13603382A
Mot Expiry: April 2011
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle is withdrawn from the 22nd October 2010 auction.
With a heritage that included three Monte Carlo Rally victories and countless saloon car racing trophies, the Cooper S MKIII was launched in March 1970. Phased out after fifteen months (in favour of the cheaper-to-build Clubman 1275GT), a production run of just 1,572 makes it the scarcest 1275cc S variant. Nigh on indistinguishable from the contemporary Mini 1000, the only external clues as to its potential were twin fuel fillers, funky wheels and a boot badge. Inside, the biggest hint was a 130mph speedometer. Sharing the same hydrolastic suspension layout as the 1000 (albeit that its 'silver' units were to quasi-competition specification), the Cooper S MKIII still retained a sizeable power advantage and front disc brakes. Judged by many to have the best ride and handling of any production Mini, its Q-car potential did not escape the Liverpool police who ordered twenty-seven. Never officially advertised by British Leyland (even the sales brochure was a thinly disguised MKII affair), the last of the original 'Cooper S' line has long enjoyed a cult following.
Though it retains a standard appearance, this particular example - a Surrey and Kent car until the present owner acquired it in 2001 - is reportedly powered by an extensively reworked engine built in 2003 by Howell Bros of Radstock, with torque and smoothness in mind. With a correct type but replacement block overbored by +0.60in to give 1310cc, it has been fully dynamically balanced, and features high (10:1) compression ratio, high-lift cam and 1.5-ratio high-lift roller rockers, plus hardened valve seats for unleaded fuel. The gearbox was overhauled and, after careful running-in, the powerplant gave 77bhp @ 5755rpm on Mech Repairs of Cheltenham's dyno, a definite improvement on the original. The Cooper S was restored around 10 years ago and repainted in tough two-pack isocyanate Glacier White. It rides on 'dry' suspension like the original Mini (and all those made after 1971) because "the original hydrolastic units are rust-prone and getting harder to come by", says the owner, and this trouble-free set-up is complemented by Spax adjustable dampers. Extended pedal pads allow for heel-and-toeing, and there's a rev-counter right in front of the driver. Understandably, the vendor describes this MKIII as being in "excellent" condition with regard to its engine, gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, bodywork and paintwork.
Registration No: KMP776K
Chassis No: XAD13603382A
Mot Expiry: April 2011
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle is withdrawn from the 22nd October 2010 auction.
With a heritage that included three Monte Carlo Rally victories and countless saloon car racing trophies, the Cooper S MKIII was launched in March 1970. Phased out after fifteen months (in favour of the cheaper-to-build Clubman 1275GT), a production run of just 1,572 makes it the scarcest 1275cc S variant. Nigh on indistinguishable from the contemporary Mini 1000, the only external clues as to its potential were twin fuel fillers, funky wheels and a boot badge. Inside, the biggest hint was a 130mph speedometer. Sharing the same hydrolastic suspension layout as the 1000 (albeit that its 'silver' units were to quasi-competition specification), the Cooper S MKIII still retained a sizeable power advantage and front disc brakes. Judged by many to have the best ride and handling of any production Mini, its Q-car potential did not escape the Liverpool police who ordered twenty-seven. Never officially advertised by British Leyland (even the sales brochure was a thinly disguised MKII affair), the last of the original 'Cooper S' line has long enjoyed a cult following.
Though it retains a standard appearance, this particular example - a Surrey and Kent car until the present owner acquired it in 2001 - is reportedly powered by an extensively reworked engine built in 2003 by Howell Bros of Radstock, with torque and smoothness in mind. With a correct type but replacement block overbored by +0.60in to give 1310cc, it has been fully dynamically balanced, and features high (10:1) compression ratio, high-lift cam and 1.5-ratio high-lift roller rockers, plus hardened valve seats for unleaded fuel. The gearbox was overhauled and, after careful running-in, the powerplant gave 77bhp @ 5755rpm on Mech Repairs of Cheltenham's dyno, a definite improvement on the original. The Cooper S was restored around 10 years ago and repainted in tough two-pack isocyanate Glacier White. It rides on 'dry' suspension like the original Mini (and all those made after 1971) because "the original hydrolastic units are rust-prone and getting harder to come by", says the owner, and this trouble-free set-up is complemented by Spax adjustable dampers. Extended pedal pads allow for heel-and-toeing, and there's a rev-counter right in front of the driver. Understandably, the vendor describes this MKIII as being in "excellent" condition with regard to its engine, gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, bodywork and paintwork.
