1967 Morris Cooper 1275 S Mark 2

This exemplar is the last year of the classic Mini Cooper 1275 S with the real Cooper engine and the classic mini body with outside hinges and sliding door windows—the car model that became World Rally Champion, won the Monte Carlo rally and made the Mini world renowned. This car left the BMC factory that made all Cooper S Minis wearing the Morris Badge and journeyed the English roads with Right hand drive and british plates which it still sports. All real Cooper S Minis were badged as either Austin or Morris but only the Austin badged cars were exported to America; the factory raced an equal mix of both marques. This car has its 1981 English registration sticker so it left for America some time afterwards. I found the car with odometer showing 17,000+ miles but with substantial rust to the floor pan and rockers. Driving the car before restoration and checking compression and oil pressure strongly suggested that the odometer reading was correct so the engine was not opened up during restoration. 147 miles since restoration. No effort was spared in the restoration of this historical vehicle to produce the best example of this classic. Some of the features of this restoration are:

· Replacement of the floor panel, rockers, bonnet, boot and small front fenders. The body panels were both spot welded and sealed with body epoxy before coating with anticorrosive.

· The factory colors were retained along with the leather covered front recliner seats (after verifying that they were a factory option in 1967). New upholstery rear seats were necessary because of deteoriated factory rears.

· The 2 subframes were sandblasted before coating with POR 15.

· The drivetrain received new drive seals and sealing of the transmission housing to minimize oil ooze (all classic minis have some case oil ooze). New radiator, fan, water pump, hoses, heater valve etc. The correct green BMC paint coats the drive train with correct Morris valve cover and stickers.

· The subframes received all new bushings, fasteners, joints and tie rod ends along with all new bearings and cv joints. The car arrived in my shop with the hydrolastic suspension which sadly was too corroded to use and could not be replaced. Mini Mania supplied springs with adjustable shocks and ride height now support the car. This Mini Mania spring substitution kit has a design defect in that the rear springs have no good bedding which I corrected with custom machined aluminum spring beds to center and quiet spring action.

· The brake system features rebuilt calibers, DOT5 fluids and Teflon brake and clutch hoses along with new English copper alloy piping for brakes and fuel. New clutch cylinders and new brake master. All new pads, shoes, rotors,springs etc. The original brake booster(see pre restoration photo) was unrepairable but not replaced because of owner preference. Replacements are still available for the restoration purist.

· A competition oil cooler replaces the factory design. Stainless exhaust headers/ exhaust along with stainless bumpers. 2 fog and 2 driving lights sit on new front bar. New wide minilite style wheels sport new rally wide tires covered by new factory style black flares. New Morris grill in SS.

· Petronix electronic ignition sits inside the distributor. I relocated the new sports coil to the body frame per the BMC race practice to move it outside the water coming thru the front grill

· One of the original fuel tanks had corrosion and was replaced. The other cleaned and sealed.

· New carpeting and window and door seals. Removal of the aftermarket wood dash revealed the original shelf and bezel in good condition. The original speedometer/odometer functioned but the speedo needle wabbles thus signaling a rebuild; I replaced it with a new Cooper S speedo but the original one comes with the car for the purist. See both speedo pictures.

Future changes to the car might include replacing the rear shelf which has some fading but this is a choice of originality or replacement. I have found it easy to maneuver this RHD car on the American roads but I always go to the wrong side of the car. This car restoration was done for my personal collection which I am liquidating since my move to Florida. I chose to use a downdraft Weber kit from Mini Mania but this is an owner's personal choice on this car. Please note small headbolt near thermostat which is ONLY on the true Cooper S engine. Photos available of frame and engine number tags to show authenticity.

This car is sold "As is" and "Where is" without any warranty, representation or promise of condition or performance; all statements herein are based on personal impression and do not constitute warranty or representation or any other basis for legal claims. Bidders are advised to inspect the vehicle before bidding as no adjustments or reductions of any successful bid price will be made for any problems, defects, or bad conditions. Payment must be made by wire transfer. A $500 initial non refundable payment must be made within 1 business day of auction close and full payment must be made with 1 week of auction close. The buyer must pick up the vehicle within 2 weeks. Title will be transferred after full payment. Seller reserves the right to terminate the auction and cancel all bids at any time prior to official auction close.