BY 1963 the BMC Competition department knew what they wanted to do with the Mini. Their efforts culminated in the 1963 Austin Cooper S and Morris Cooper S. Besides a host of upgrades, the primary difference was a specially cast engine block and cylinder head that was more suitable for racing.
The first Cooper S models used a 1071 cc engine with a special nitrided steel crankshaft. In 1964 a range of displacements was offered including 971 cc and a 1275 cc.
For extended trips and rally racing, a second fuel tank was fitted. Other factory upgrades included larger front disc brakes, a vacuum-assisted brake booster and offset steel wheels which were widened to 4½ inches by 1964.
Despite only having around 75 bhp on tap, the Minis were very successful in Group 2 Rally racing, winning the Monte Carlo Rally outright.
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| engine | Water-Cooled Inline-4 |
| position | Front Transverse |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | OHV, 2 Valves per Cyl |
| displacement | 997 cc / 60.8 in³ |
| bore | 62.4 mm / 2.46 in |
| stroke | 81.28 mm / 3.2 in |
| compression | 9.0:1 |
| power | 41.0 kw / 55 bhp @ 6000 rpm |
| specific output | 55.17 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 92.28 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 73.89 nm / 54.5 ft lbs @ 3600 rpm |
| body / frame | Unit Steel |
| driven wheels | FWD |
| front tires | 5.20×10 |
| rear tires | 5.20×10 |
| front brakes | Lockheed Discs w/Hydrualic Assist |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| front wheels | F 25.4 x 12.7 cm / 10.0 x 5.0 in |
| rear wheels | R 25.4 x 12.7 cm / 10.0 x 5.0 in |
| f suspension | Wishbones w/Rubber Cone Springs |
| r suspension | Trailing Arms w/Rubber Cone Springs |
| curb weight | 596 kg / 1314 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2030 mm / 79.9 in |
| length | 3050 mm / 120.1 in |
| width | 1390 mm / 54.7 in |
| height | 1350 mm / 53.1 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| final drive | 3.65:1 |
| top speed | ~144.8 kph / 90.0 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~16.0 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~19.6 seconds |
Auction Sales History
1968 Morris Australia Mini Cooper S YKG2S24814 – sold for $46,200 2012 Restoration to Factory Specifications. A Three-Owner Car From New. Recently Upgraded with Coil-Spring Suspension and Sway Bars Front and Rear.
Auction Source: 2014 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company
1968 Morris Australia Mini Cooper S – sold for $39,600
Due to its Australian origin, this Cooper S has several features that were not available on its British-built cousins. For example, this Mini has the factory-correct monotone light blue vinyl seats and a larger VIN tag that clearly denotes the color of the car as well as the engine number. The engine has the identification number stamped directly onto the block rather than on a removable tag, which identifies the motor as original. Australian Minis also had the preferred roll-up windows and an added vent in the door.
This particular example underwent a cosmetic restoration in 2006 by Dave Jacques of Inverness, Florida, a revered judge at many Southern automobile events. Mr. Jacques ensured that the Mini was repainted and finished exactly as it was at the factory in 1968–white with black roof. In 2012, an exacting restoration was completed including the engine, brakes, suspension, and every component down to the hose clamps – a result of painstaking research.
Auction Source: The 2013 Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company
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