Fantasy Junction

Description

1966 Austin Mini Cooper 1275 S

VIN – C-A2S7-L/799371
Exterior Color – Red
Interior Color – Red and Grey
Engine – 1275 cc in-line
Transmission – 4-Speed
Current Miles – 31,251 (TMU)

Highlights of This Car

-British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate
-Factory Tartan Red and Black 1275 S

General Overview

The Mini was one of the most important and revolutionary designs of the 20th century. A marvel of simplicity and economical value, the mini endeared itself to thrifty Brits and Europeans as a worthy steed capable of hauling four people in relative comfort. Initially created to deal with rising fuel costs, the cheap and lovable Mini became the ideal host for performance trim by eager youth, proving that even mild modifications would elevate the car to a capable sport level. With its low stance and wide footing, the Mini proved to be a worthy vehicle in both handling and performance. The 1275 cc Mini Cooper S answered this calling from the factory, delivering a boosted performance package to those who wanted a bit more sport in their Mini. Rare today, as so many were often used up in racing, original early series Cooper S cars are sought after today by collectors and enthusiasts for the same reasons they were loved when new.

History and Build Details of This Car

This example has been under current ownership since 2001. The car has benefited from both mechanical and cosmetic restoration under previous ownership, backed by a Heritage Certificate verifying that this is a factory 1275 cc Mini Cooper S. The car has all the hallmarks of a 1275 cc factory S example including the larger port head, vertical oil cooler, and hydroelastic suspension. Mechanical work performed on the car in 2018 included a new master cylinder, new solid brake lines to the rear, new rear brake shoes and soft lines, rear brake wheel cylinders, a new brake servo, new master cylinder, and minor wiring repair. At this time the clutch release arm and alternator were also replaced. In 2019 a new set of plugs and plug wires were installed, along with points, rotor, and distributor cap. In 2020 a new set of four Yokohama tires were installed and a water pump was purchased. In 2022 an electrical wire issue was corrected. Receipts for various cosmetic parts are also included in the records with this car.

At some point in the history of the car, the front end was damaged and repaired using a later series driver’s side front fender which has a later series inner fender outfitted for an auxiliary fan (though not fitted at this time). The later series front fender and front apron also appear to have been replaced at time of these repairs. Records with the car indicate the purchase of a reproduction chassis tag and engine tag, both of which match the heritage certificate.

Condition Overview

Today this Mini Cooper presents in excellent condition offering a handsome stock appearance in original colors. The red and black paint is glossy and properly prepared with excellent coverage throughout the body and very nice workmanship in the body panels. The hood, doors, and rear compartment show very good panel gaps and proper fitting to the body, opening and closing with ease. The door and trunk hinges, typically worn or rusted through from decades of use, remain in excellent condition. The exterior brightwork and various trim, emblems, and badges appear to be a combination of nicely restored pieces and original ones which vary from very nice to good condition. The distinctive black trim encircling the wheels and rocker panels is in excellent condition. The glass, lenses, and lighting have very good rubber and gasket material which appears to have been correctly installed during the repaint. The sliding side glass appears to be original, retaining the factory brand marks, while the windshield and possibly the rear glass has been replaced. The rear pop out glass is in excellent condition including the chrome surrounds. The period-correct Minilite performance wheels are in good condition, correctly finished but showing signs of edge wear and scuff marks. A fitting touch to the sporting heritage of the S model, the car is outfitted with fog lamps which are in excellent condition.

The interior has been very nicely restored using correct components, proper materials, and attention to detail throughout including very nicely finished seats and door panels. The seats are outfitted with an older pair of competition seat belts. The dash pad features a few nameplates for previously attended vintage events and houses a center binnacle with excellent instrumentation and generally nice finishes to the surrounding dash material. The red carpets are in good condition with some minor soiling on the driver’s footwell area. The interior features properly detailed trim offering a stock appearance to the sporty cockpit. All chrome interior features are in very good condition though a knob is missing from the lower control console. The two-tone interior delivers a very nice impression in all respects. The trunk appears to be original and unrestored showing the original red paint on the rear steel wall and satin black sides with removable floor deck.

Under the hood, the 1275cc engine has been tended to with attention to detail favoring a combination of original finishes and a few modern upgrades. The painted finishes have been applied correctly to match the original appearance, but include updated hardware, battery, wires, and other enhancements to improve reliability and performance. Twin SU carburetors are fitted with chrome air cleaners. The finish overall is crisp, nicely detailed, and tastefully refined without significantly altering the spirit of the original design. The driver’s side fender is a later series unit which has provisions for an electric fan, wired but not installed. The right inner fender and firewall appear original to the car. The underside is in generally good condition showing the recently replaced solid brake lines. The original finishes appear dry and free of structural corrosion. There is no visual evidence of structural compromise to the chassis or suspension mounting points, though there is evidence of typical use often found in 50 year old vintage cars.

The car starts easily and indicates good oil pressure, however the slow idle will require some adjustment. The tachometer and the odometer are not functional, there is a worn bushing in the steering rack, and the steering wheel is not centered. The headlights and wipers function properly. The four-speed gearbox operates in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear, however 1st gear (non-synchro in this series gearbox) pops out of gear in higher revs.

Items Included with the Car

This Mini Cooper is offered with a set of workshop and service parts list manuals, various specialty repair literature, a car cover, and a few miscellaneous spare parts.

Let's take a closer look: https://youtu.be/BNMQgNfvJc8

Let's take it for a drive: https://youtu.be/zLCCbfPt608

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608