1963 Austin Mini Cooper MkI 997cc

Registration No: CML 756A
Chassis No: CA2S7453083
MOT: Exempt

• Home market RHD example finished in its original shade of Smoke Grey
• Matching chassis and engine numbers
• Offered with BMIHT certificate and a collection of invoices
• Subject to an interior re-trim and unleaded head conversion

The Mini was actually de-tuned before launch in 1959. The prototype's 948cc engine made it embarrassingly rapid compared with other more expensive cars in the BMC group, and it was downgraded to 848cc and 34bhp. A collaboration between racing car builder John Cooper and the Mini’s creator Alec Issigonis, the Mini Cooper debuted in September 1961 with the ultimate 1275cc S variant arriving three years later. Famously winning the Monte Carlo Rally for the third time in 1967, that same year saw the Mini updated to MkII specification complete with redesigned radiator grille, revamped interior, larger rear windscreen and a host of other minor changes.

Offered here is an example of the Austin Mini Cooper MkI (997cc), finished in its original shade of Smoke Grey with an Old English White roof. A right-hand drive home market car, it was built on the 26^th August of 1963 and despatched the next day to Car Mart Ltd, London NW1. Interestingly, ‘CML’ spent some time in the USA until 2013, when it entered into family ownership when it was repatriated to the UK.

The original interior was a complementing Dove Grey, which has been replicated with Newton Commercial supplied seats and carpets in Grey and Dove Grey (invoice on file for c.£1,795.00 from 2015), the vendor using the opportunity to replace the seats with the high-back versions of the originals. The exterior specification now features Cooper S spec. reverse steel rims. With matching chassis and engine numbers, in 2018, the Mini benefitted from an overhaul of the engine and the gearbox (rebuilt by John Guess at Guess Works), with the carburettors being rebuilt by SU. There is a 2018 invoice from Mini Spares, for engine and gearbox parts relating to the aforementioned overhaul. The overhaul included an ‘unleaded’ head conversion. Additionally, BMC branded Kangol seatbelts are fitted, a free-flow exhaust and a new battery in 2020, with the radiator re-cored in 2014. ‘CML’ was last MOT’d in January of 2018.

With a credible mileage of c.89,000 miles, this Cooper is offered with a BMIHT certificate, a V5C and a collection of invoices.

For more information, please contact:
James McWilliam
james.mcwilliam@handh.co.uk
07943 584760