Description
Something quite different for RPS… The vendor of this car is a great friend of our directors. He has a wealth of motorsport under his belt from competing to organising, so we are delighted to offer his cracking little Mini race car for sale.
The Mini revolutionised the motoring world when it was launched in 1959. Despite being only 10ft long, it featured room inside for four people, thanks to the fact that the four-cylinder engine was mounted transversely and drove the front wheels – a simple but effective layout that would set the template for all small cars to come.
Although it was intended to offer economy and practicality rather than entertainment, enthusiastic drivers quickly realised it handled superbly and could easily cope with more power. The standard car was launched with an 848cc engine, which would be enlarged to 998cc, 1098cc and then 1275cc. From 1961 onwards, there was also the option of the Mini Cooper, which was conceived by racing-car constructor John Cooper and introduced with a tuned 997cc engine plus front disc brakes.
Two years later, the 1071cc Cooper S came along, and ‘hot’ Minis enjoyed enormous success in international motorsport. John Whitmore, John Love and Alec Poole all won the British Saloon Car Championship in them, and a Cooper S won the Monte Carlo Rally three times in four years between 1964 and 1967.
The immaculate Mini being offered for sale here was initially built to compete in the CSCC’s hugely popular Swinging Sixties series. Constructed and maintained regardless of expense, its vast specification – too much to list in full here – includes a 1380cc engine with an MED drilled, wedged and tuftrided crankshaft, 73. 5mm Omega forged pistons, steel rods and a 45 DCOE Weber carburettor. The ‘12G940’ cylinder head has been fully ported to race specification and features 36. 5mm inlet valves and 30mm exhaust valves. The engine develops 140 bhp and is very driveable.
A Swiftune race-spec flywheel and clutch are fitted, plus a Swiftune dog gear kit, 3. 7 final drive, and plated limited-slip diff. Braking is via bespoke Willwood rotary mount four-pot calipers, and custom-made AVO dampers have been installed. The forged split-rim wheels are shod with Yokohama tyres.
Inside, there’s a full bolt-in roll cage, plus a Cobra race seat and TRS harnesses. A foam-filled Classic Mini fuel tank has been installed in the centre of the boot floor.
Great fun to drive and extremely competitive even against bigger-engined opposition, it’s little wonder that Minis remain such a popular choice for historic racing. This superbly prepared example is still registered with the DVLA and comes with its log book, plus its original boot and bonnet panels. Ideally suited for a return to the track, but easily converted to a fast road/ track day/ Hillclimb/ sprint or tarmac rally car.
The car is currently with Rally Preparation Services sister Company, the RPS storage facility and available for inspection.
All viewings and test drives welcomed by appointment at Rally Preparation Services.
All enquiries please contact us on using the button below or telephone +44(0)the details below
