Highlights

Very high specification and detailed 1,380cc Works Replica
Same family owned for the last 35-40 years
Bare shell rebuild in 2003 with extensive modifications
Tartan Red with Old English White roof in BMC Works Competition colours
Always garaged and in very good condition

The Appeal

We’re fans of a classic labour of love, and they don’t come better than this remarkable Mk1 Mini. It’s been in the same family for the last four decades and, during that time, has been continuously and extensively improved to deliver the high-specification Works Replica you see today.

The current transformation began in 2003 when the car received a bare shell rebuild and was repainted in correct BMC Works Competition colours of Tartan Red with Old English White roof. That is merely the start of a lengthy list of careful detailing to replicate those originals, including leather bonnet straps, Minilite-style alloys, twin tanks and a trio of spotlights.

Beyond the cosmetics, this is a very high specification Mini. The work reflects the builder’s deep knowledge of these cars and is centred around a 1,380cc engine. This car is likely much quicker than those Works motors. The upgrades cover every area of the car’s mechanicals, drivetrain and running gear. You can read the full specification below.

The joy of a classic Mini is the scope to modify it. This car takes that idea and firmly runs with it. It is surely one of the best modified classic Mini Mk1s available today.

The vendor says:

“It is in perfect working order, it starts perfectly & has just had a new battery fitted. It is a complete one off! Drives like a dream, very fast! Very authentically modified. A very special car.”

History and Paperwork

First registered 15th January 1963
Two registered keepers recorded by DVLA
Vendor reports that car has been in seller's family for approximately 35-40 years
Details of car’s evolution provided below
Comprehensive bare shell rebuild in 2023
Returned to the road on 26th April 2006 with a modified 1250cc 'A plus' engine
Upgraded to current 1,380cc specification during winter 2008/2009
BMIHT certificate provided and shown in photos
Always garaged we are told
Build photographs as shown
Spare driver’s seat
Few miles covered since last advisory-free MOT in December 2019

The vendor says:

“This car has been in my family's possession for approximately thirty-five/40 years. Initially fitted with a lightened/balanced 850cc engine, which finally broke its crank. Then fitted with a 998cc Cooper engine in which guise it did many local rallies, sprints and hill climbs in the Birmingham area. I then progressed to company cars and eventually moved North. I converted the car to 850cc 'cooking spec' for my parents to use until my father's death. The car was then left dormant in my mother's garage until her death in 2003, when the car was then brought North and a bare shell rebuild commenced.

“The shell was stripped and fitted with new front wings and A panels, new front panel, inner and outer sills, heel board, boot rear floor, battery box and rear lower panel, both front floors. Seam sealant and 'stone chip' paint were liberally applied to the bare underside and two coats of body colour. Seven litres of wax oil were sprayed on the rebuilt bare shell. Both sub frames were stripped, shot blasted and powder coated in black. Both doors and the boot lid were rebuilt at 'The Mini Door Company'. It was then fitted with a modified and balanced 1250cc 'A plus' engine and gearbox box putting it back on the road on 26th April 2006. Over the winter of 2008/2009, I built and fitted the following spec engine and gearbox [provided below].”

The Condition

The vendor states that the car is in immaculate condition both inside and out
Finished in Tartan Red with Old English White roof in BMC Works Competition colours
Shell was stripped and fitted with new front wings and A panels during the 2003 rebuild
New components included front panel, inner and outer sills, heal board, boot rear floor, battery box, rear lower panel, and both front floors
Both subframes were stripped, shot blown and powder-coated in black
Both doors and boot lid were rebuilt at 'The Mini Door Company'
Seam sealant and stone chip paint applied to the bare underside with two coats of body colour
Seven litres of wax oil was sprayed in and on the rebuilt bare shell
Features period-correct details, including leather bonnet retaining strap
Fitted with 12" Minilite type wheels with Falken 165/60 R12 71H tyres
Formed plastic under front wing protective shields fitted

Specification provided by seller:

Twin petrol tanks
'John Aley' rear cage
'Rokee' wood dash (period)
Re-calibrated 130mph 'S' speedo
Rev counter
Dual oil pressure/capillary water temp gauge
Volt meter
22 P.S.I. additional large oil pressure warning light
Passenger door bin switch panel
Butler flexible map light and sat nav phone charge socket
Heated rear window
Black half leather seats
Repro 'speedwell' driver's bucket seat
Works type passenger grab handle
Both front and rear screens are laminated
Period boot-mounted 'Lucas 567' reversing light
2 x period 'Lucas 700' fog lights
1 x 'Lucas 567' driving light
All lights on Works type brackets
Leather bonnet retaining strap
2 x Bullet door mirrors mounted on chrome window catches
Period 'Lucas 494' rear fog light mounted on rear parcel shelf as a high-level-brake-light
Formed plastic under front wing protective shields fitted

The Mechanics

1,380cc A Series engine
Four-speed manual transmission
High specification summarised by seller below
Starts well and has recently been fitted with a new battery
The vendor informs us that it drives exceptionally well with very fast performance

Specification provided by seller:

Brakes:

Metro turbo vented discs and 4 pot callipers on mini hubs
Metro drive flanges (no calliper spaces)
Minifin' rear drums
Rebuilt remote servo
Cooper 'S' master cylinder
Rear pressure limiting valve
3/4 rear cylinders
Fly off hand brake conversion
Goodrich braided hoses throughout (including servo)

Suspension:

High-lows and 'gaz' adjustable shocks x 4
11/20 negative camber bottom arms
Both sub frames rebuilt with new bearings polybushes
Taper roller bearing rear hub conversion
Longer track rod ends
12" minilite type wheels
Falken 165/60 R 12 71H tyres

Electrics:

New bespoke 'auto sparks' loom fitted
Negative earth
Pre engaged starter
Alternator
Solid state petrol pump
Electronic dizzy
Re-calibrated by 'H and H'
Two speed wiper motor (right hand parking)
Headlamp flasher
Electronic screen wash
Floor mounted isolator switch (ex. floor starter push)
Air horns
Filterking set at 2.5 PS.i.

Engine:

1380cc offset bored 'A plus' block
STD sized 'A plus' crank
Piper 285 camshaft
New cam followers with oil drain hole
Light weight vernier duplex chain set with tensioner, set at 1050
New steel backed oil pump
Turbo verto clutch
Lightened flywheel
Con rods balanced end to end
Pistons, rods, crank, flywheel, clutch and pulley all balanced
Ball bearing oil pressure relief valve
Thirteen row oil cooler.

Head:

Mini sport stage 4
10.31 C.R. 35/31 valves
Big ports
Heated inlet manifold extensively ported and matched to head and HIF 44 S.U carburettor
K and N type stub stack air filter

Gearbox:

'A plus'
Rod change
4 syncro
3.11 final drive
Cross pin differential.
Central oil pick up
All new bearings, baulk rings, oil seals and thrust washers

Cooling:

'Mini Spares' high-performance 2-core radiator (with drain tap)
High flow pump
Large diameter pulley
74-degree thermostat
11 blade plastic fan
New hoses throughout
Expansion tank

Exhaust:

L.C.B. ported to head
Twin box R.C. 40

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