1967 Morris Mini Cooper – Classified of the Week

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Dale Vinten

Who doesn’t love a Mini? You have to be pretty jaded to not appreciate these loveable, chuck-able legends. And for us, none is more loveable, nor more chuck-able, than the Morris Mini Cooper. The names Mini and Cooper go together like gin and tonic. Not only that but they give comparable feelings of joy. They are just as appealing now as they ever have been and with their rallying pedigree they still evoke a sense of fun and adventure that most modern cars today can only dream of.

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Racing legend John Cooper saw the Mini’s potential and set to work developing a fast version that he could take to the track. After BMC boss George Harriman drove Cooper’s prototype he immediately agreed to build 1000 of them for homologation purposes. Following immediate success in competition the Mini Cooper was put into full production in 1961 with a newly developed 997cc engine. Featuring myriad improvements over the previous Mini’s A-Series power plant, including a hotter camshaft and twin SU carburettors, the Cooper could reach a top speed of 85mph and get to 60 from parked in around 18 seconds.

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While that may not sound particularly fast nowadays, back in the early ’60s it was pretty rapid for a 1-litre engine and combined with the Cooper’s light weight and excellent handling made for quite the driving experience. It wasn’t just performance upgrades that ignited the passions of the public and motoring press, however. The car was more refined than its predecessor too with a more comfortable interior along with improved gear changes and better brakes.

Following the Cooper’s success the MkII arrived in ’67 with updates largely being confined to exterior styling amendments. The MkII did feature the later 998cc A-Series engine but this had already been offered in the MkI as far back as 1963. This 1967 Morris Mini MkII is the focus of our Classified of the Week feature today and boy is it a beauty. Not only that but we’ve actually had the pleasure of driving it and so can give a first-hand account of its characteristics.

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We can confirm, you’ll be pleased to know, that this particular MkII Cooper drives jut as good as it looks. And doesn’t it look fantastic? Largely an original car the Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate confirms that the car was indeed built in 1967. Fully restored the Tartan Red paintwork with contrasting black roof really does pop, especially when the sun is shining and the entire body, including all chrome trim is in cracking condition. The factory wheels have been replaced with Minilite alloys which not only augment the overall aesthetic but the slightly wider track also improves the handling on an already brilliantly planted and poised little car.

Behind the wheel and out on the road the car is everything you would want and expect a good Mini Cooper to be. It’s sharp, nippy and responsive and handles like an absolute dream. Hurling the thing into corners with no regard for the brakes will never get old. It’s like a dog on a leash raring for that first run of the day and it just wants to go. This is thanks in part to having received some engine fettling last year to include head skimming, port polishing and valve work.

Mechanically it’s spot on and the only minor niggles we could find were a small tear to the corner of the passenger seat and a rather oddly-shaped ‘Paddy Hopkirk’ after market accelerator pedal. The problem here is that it’s way too wide and so a lot of care and attention was required to not mash both the throttle and brake pedal at the same time, especially when driving enthusiastically. If you’ve got small feet however, you’ll probably be OK and if not, well, it’s a cheap and easy fix.

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Overall this is a truly excellent example of a Morris Mini Cooper MkII. It’s a clichéd trope but the go-kart comparisons that get thrown about are all founded in fact, it’s as simple as that. We challenge anyone not to have the biggest smile on their face after thrashing this Cooper around some good B-roads. Hell, even a trip to the shops for some fruity garnish for that G&T we mentioned earlier will be sure to have you grinning from ear to ear like an absolute idiot.

If you missed out on this one but are in the market for your very own loveable, chuckable mini, here’s where to find a Morris Mini Cooper for sale.

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