Descrição
1965 Mini Cooper S Cafe Racer... what is that? In the past few years the classic mini world has recycled the 'cafe racer' moniker to describe highly modified, period correct Minis which embody the ethos of what boy racers did with their Mini's in the 1960s.
My car started life as a 1965 Mini deluxe and by the late 1990s was rather worse for wear. At this time a mini enthusiast found the car and commenced a full restoration. With his father working at Longbridge he rebuilt the car with all new parts where possible. This included a brand new Rover shell, Metro engine and pretty much everything else. The car was sparsely used until I acquired it in 2012. By then the second gear was starting to catch so I decided to pull the engine for a gearbox rebuild... the rest, as they as, is history. over the next year and a bit I went nuts, modifying and improving ever part of the car. The result is a car which you can't help but enjoy every step of your journey.
Starting with the engine I had Matt Smith from Mathwells build a super engine:
- MED 7 port head, ported and polished
- Twin Webber DCOE 40 carbs
- Kent Cam
- Arden Distributor
- 3 Branch Manifold
- Roller high lift Rockers
Gearbox:
- Fully Rebuilt
- Quaife ATB Automatic Torque Biasing differential
We then moved onto the suspension:
- Powdercoated front subframe
- Coil over adjustable springs/ shocks all 'round
- Rose jointed front suspension
- Cooper S front discs and callipers
- Rear KAD alloy beam, (subframe delete)
- Rear KAD Alloy arms
- Rear KAD anti sway bar
- Minifin rear drums
Other period go fast goodies:
- Genuine Cosmic wheel arch extensions
- Newton Commercial Cooper S high back seats
- Genuine period GB mini lights
- Twin fuel tanks with electric fuel pump
- Alloy radiator, (not needed but eye candy)
- Front heated screen
- other stuff I've forgotten about
The interior is something to behold, All custom fabricated engine turned pods housing period instruments. switches and a genuine Cooper S 130 mph mk1 speedometer. the passenger dash pod has period stop watches and a clock and features red aircraft periscope lighting. I could go on and on but coming to view is the only true way to experience this car.
Driving it is remarkable, it starts on the button and idles very smooth, not too loud utilising an RC40 exhaust. Honestly, when at full chat the intake roar far outstrips the exhaust burble. It truly handles as crisp as a single seat open wheeled car and accelerates wickedly fast. Torque steer? Oh yeah, but it has been tamed by the rear anti roll bar... don't ask me how but it works. If you can drive this car to the shops and not feel like Paddy Hopkirk there is something wrong with you... and it's probably not the car for you.
I've had the car down to Goodwood several times where it is well known as a feature of the Autosolo events and we have won overall once and had several class wins. A pleasure to drive and to compete in.
Overall a very well prepared cafe racer mini that you can drive every day... and always put's a smile on your face. Massive history file included
