Description
The finest example of a period Mini Cooper Club racer in original condition.
This is an investment grade, museum or collectors choice with an important and impressive history.
Having covered less than 6000 miles the body shell is un-welded and the original carpet set wiring loom and early features are retained. Built on 16th October 1961 this is from the beginning of the production, body-shell number 60 (as confirmed by the BMIHT certificate).
The body colour is Surf Blue and the roof is Old English White. The car was ordered by Iain Fraser, director of the A&D Fraser group of garages in Scotland.
Iain and Ken Fraser were well known within motor racing circles and been heavily involved in the formulate years of saloon car racing. The intention was for the car to introduce the Mini Cooper to the motor clubs scene in Scotland and promote the brand.
Dispatched directly from the factory to The Downton Engineering Works a full Engine, transmission and tuning modification was performed resulting in a significant increase in power and traction (invoice on file). This was the second of the Legendary ‘Ton Bomb’ conversions performed by Downton Engineering Works who had perfected the upgrade using their own Mini Cooper 997 ‘Works Car’ and achieving critical acclaim.
First registered as FGE222 the Mini Cooper was Homologated on 31st October 1961, original FIA/ RAC documents within file. The car became the first Mini Cooper to compete in Scotland on Boxing Day 1961 and in the following 1962 season made an instant impact achieving a good degree of success in saloon car races, hill climbs and sprints mainly in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
A real Landmark came in June 1962 when the registration V997 was added to coincide with the fitment of an all new power unit based on the BMC 'Formula Junior’ racing unit. This was later to become the ‘S ‘ type engine when fitted to production cars in 1963.
The unit was again prepared and built by Downton Engineering and this time featured the editions of straight cut gears and a limited-slip differential.
The upgrade was an instant success and very quickly V997 became one of the leading and most well know club cars on the Scottish motorsport scene. The car had become a kind of working test bed for tuning and development parts and at the end of June 1962 a set of 7. 5“ S larger disc brakes were obtained from the Cooper Car Co (invoice on file). A prototype 120 MPH speedo was also fitted along with a growing list of fittings accessories and additions that continued throughout 1963. In this specification V997 achieved the most success of its career and a few outright wins were snatched earning the car some notoriety. Then V997 was upgraded again for the 1964 season and an all new Downton Works 1293cc power unit with 45 DCOE Weber Carburettor was fitted and V997 achieved continued success over the following years. V997 remained in this specification and began to see less use ending with the car being mothballed and placed into dry storage in 1967. The car remained in its’ time capsule ‘ until May 1985 when the Fraser Racing stable was dismantled and sold off. V997 was obtained with a huge cache of spares, NOS components and several engines relating to the car. The acquisition can only be described as a once in a lifetime discovery.
V997 was carefully recommissioned in 1986 and the 1095cc Formula Junior 'S' Type power unit from the most successful period of competition reinstated.
Following a number of track days and shows starting in 1986, V997 kick started the club racer look accessory boom for a second time around and its styling has since been widely copied.
V997 was last seen in the public eye in 1996 and from then was stored again up until 2020 when the car was stripped, cleaned and refreshed. Replacement components were drawn again from the stock obtained with the car and a full photographic record has been made of the process.
The power unit was also completely dismantled, blueprinted and re-built with all new reciprocating components. A lead free conversion was performed and a slight re-working of timing and compression softened the power band slightly and has made the engine far more tractable with road use not an issue.
A full photographic record and technical breakdown of all components is within the file.
Following several rolling road sessions and suspension setting trials V997 is fully sorted and straight off the button. V997 is a very quick car with the power and handling perfectly balanced without issue.
V997 has been described as Scottish national treasure and is the benchmark in detail accuracy concerning the equipment of the period.
V997 is still a two owner car and now in current ownership for 40 years.
Included with the sale is a full and comprehensive history file including photographs, invoices and correspondence from Cooper Car Co., Bruce McLaren, Downton Eng. Works & British Motor Corporation.
