1966 Austin Cooper S MK1 | SOLD
- Jan 2, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 31
This 1966 Austin Cooper S, a small two-door, four-seat car, was the brainchild of race car builder John Cooper. Produced by British Motor Corporation (BMC), it was designed by Alec Issigonis was originally developed as a “people’s car” rather than a performance machine. Issigonis did not like the idea of a souped-up Mini, but John Cooper persuaded British Motor Corporation to do just that. BMC agreed to a trial run of just 1,000 cars in order to meet the homologation rules of Group 2 rally racing.
The car broke all the rules featuring a wheel at each corner, a low-mounted engine, and a lightweight body. The car was known for its superior handling and performance and was a popular choice for many racers. The first Cooper S, like this one, uses the 1071 cc engine with a special nitrided steel crankshaft. In 1964 a range of displacements was offered including 971 cc and a 1275 cc. The Austin Cooper S was very successful in the racing world, and was even raced and won rallies in the 1960s. Today, the 1966 Austin Mini Cooper S is a popular collector's item and it can often be found at classic car auctions.
BACKGROUND AND HISTORY:
The Mini Cooper was one of Britain’s great sports car legends that became the definitive rally car of the ’60s. Its small size, maneuverability, and front-wheel drive allowed it to dance around bigger, more unwieldy cars to gain victories.
The Mini was a perfect blend of pin-sharp steering and terrific handling balance. The Mini Cooper, a nimble, economical and inexpensive car has a low center of gravity and a wheel at each extreme corner – the perfect credentials for solid handling.
The Mini Cooper, dubbed the “S”, was developed in tandem and released in 1963. The Mini Cooper S earned acclaim with Monte Carlo Rally victories in 1964, 1965 and 1967.
Now we wonder how many MINI Cooper automobiles were sold thanks to the movie, the original “The Italian Job”. We saw Lamborghinis, Alfa Romeos, Jaguars, and Aston Martins being raced in the movie but the real stars were the three Mini Cooper S models used during the gold heist hauling three tons of gold in these tiny cars.
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