Sold for £10,125
(including buyers premium)
Registration No: K703 WRJ
Chassis No: SAXXNNAYCBD049714
MOT: T.B.C
The meeting between John Cooper and Aurelio Lampredi at the 1959 Italian GP is now an established part of Mini folklore. Having charmed a very early 848cc model from BMC and driven it to Monza, Cooper was accosted by the Fiat engineer (and former Ferrari F1 designer) Lampredi. Infected by his old enemy's enthusiasm, the Italian asked to borrow the new wonder. Returning several hours later, he heralded it as the future of automotive design before adding "if it weren't so ugly, I'd shoot myself". Suitably encouraged, Cooper harassed Issigonis and BMC until they agreed to build a 'hot' version. Initially conceived as a homologation special, the Mini Cooper was launched in July 1961. Powered by an enlarged 997cc engine, it gave way to a succession of ever quicker variants culminating in the 1275 'S' of 1964. Twice winner of the Monte Carlo rally, this uber-Mini became another casualty of British Leyland in 1971. Encouraged by the reaction to a limited edition RSP (Rover Special Products) version, Rover put the Mini Cooper back into full-time production during September 1990. Upgraded with mono-point fuel injection the following season, its 1275cc four-cylinder engine gained a multi-point feed and front-mounted radiator in 1997. Though, even these updates could not prevent the last Mini from rolling off the assembly line in October 2000.
Manufactured in 1992, this Mini Cooper was first registered in the United Kingdom (on the 30th of September that year), having been supplied new via Tom Berry Motors Rover in Leigh, Greater Manchester. Pleasingly retaining the original dealer sticker in the rear window and dealer number plates, the Mini is fitted with the 1275cc straight-four A-Series engine with the four-speed manual transmission. Finished in the iconic colour scheme of Flame Red with White racing stripes and a Black interior upholstery, the Cooper was purchased new by the late vendor, covering just mere 41,666 miles from new. Recently unearthed following a short period in dry storage (approximately four months) since the vendors passing, the Mini is presented in 'as found' condition, and started readily upon our photography session although will require a thorough check through and potentially some recommissioning before pressing into road use. ‘K703 WRJ’ is offered with a history file which contains the original book pack with the service book and owners handbook, as well as a collection of MOT certificates with almost every year present dating back to 1996, and a current V5C along with a previous logbook.
For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452
Auction: Imperial War Museum, Duxford, 16th Mar, 2022
AUCTION VENUE
Imperial War Museum
Duxford
Cambridgeshire
CB22 4QR
AUCTION VIEWING
Tuesday 15th March 2022 from 12pm to 6pm
Wednesday 16th March 2022 from 9am
BUYERS PREMIUM
12.5% (plus VAT @ 20%)
All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.
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