1970 Mini Cooper S MK.III

This is one of the incredibly rare Mk. III Mini Cooper S 1275's. It was sold new in November 1970 to its one and only owner from new. a Mr. Brian Constable of Upton. Chester. It was specified in Bronze Yellow and he covered an enjoyable 86. 00 miles until it came into our possession recently. The Mk. III Cooper S is one of the rarest variants with only 1572 rolling off the production line. 792 UK RHD cars. and only about 400 accounted for today. That it sold as many cars as it did was a testament to the Cooper name as BL never advertised the car and even the sales brochure was only a retouched version of the Mk II S brochure.

The Mini had already turned the motor industry upside down and by 1963 was set to take on the world on the race track. For this purpose John Cooper developed the Mini Cooper S. which was equipped with a slightly larger engine than the Cooper. The 'S' engine was derived from the modified BMC A-series units used in Cooper's Formula Junior single seat racers. Both bore and stroke were slightly decreased to make the engine more suitable for road-use. In competition trim these engines would easily produce up to 100 bhp. with road going examples being rated at 70 bhp.

Offered here is a 1970 example of the 1275 Cooper S. which has been in single ownership from new and is in outstanding condition. The car is equipped with a Weathershield sunroof. a custom grille with twin spots. Minilite alloy road wheels. Rokee wood veneer dash. door cappings. Motolita steering wheel and Corbeau seats. All of these period accessories and easily revertable to absolutely Standard spec if necessary.

Finished in Bronze Yellow. this Cooper S is offered complete with a comprehensive history file of service and repair invoices. MoT certificates and photographs. The indicated 86. 00 miles is also warranted as being correct and the car comes complete with the originial purchase invoice from Wheatsheaf Garage. Mollington. Chester. dated the 16th November 1970.

A very rare opportunity to acquire one of these iconic Minis.

This is a copy of an article on the car. which was published some 12 years ago:
"A phone call from Steve Roberts introduced me to Brian Constable and his 1970 Mini Cooper ‘S' MK3. ULG 579J in Bronze Yellow. This car has a fascinating history. as Brian has owned it from new. yes. over 32 years.

As you would expect. with a car in one person's ownership from new. it has been extremely well maintained and has always been in use.

It is fitted with a number of the period accessories we all aspired to in the 60's and 70‘s (well those of us who are old enough to have owned cars in those days!). full length folding vinyl roof by Weathershields. 5 GB Alloys. Arches. Benelite Grille with inset Lucas Spotlights and low back bucket seats.

Brian related to me how he had run a Cooper for a few years and then realised that the ‘S' was going to be withdrawn and decided to buy a new ‘S'.

The MK3 ‘S's were always in short supply. as only 792 were made for the UK market in 1970 and 1971. with production ceasing in June 1971. Brian's dealer could only locate this Bronze Yellow car. which was not Brian's first choice of colour but he has grown to like it; but only just! Bronze Yellow is an evocative 1970s' colour. which always reminds me of Austin 1300GTs.

Brian has the original bill of sale from The Wheatsheaf Garage. Mollington (now a kitchen showroom). which interestingly refers to it as an Austin Cooper ‘S'. as by then British Leyland had dropped the Austin and Morris names and just badged the cars as Mini.

The log book also refers to the car as Austin and John Parnell mentions in his book on Mini Coopers that this was a regular occurrence. Brian paid 1. 85 pounds. 15 shillings and 11 pence for the car and managed to negotiate a £50 discount. a sizeable sum at that time. when discounts were not all that prevalent. The car was fitted with rake adjusting seats. safety belts. and a wing mirror and undersealed at extra cost to the list price.

I'm sure that when Brian bought the car he never expected to be still driving it 32 years later and for there to be so much interest in the classic Coopers in the 21st Century. As I have persuaded Brian to join the club. I hope that he will be able to bring his car to one of our shows this summer. so more of you can see this lovely car. "

The car drives perfectly and is ready to show and use. Please have a quick search. you will not find many. if any. on sale today. This is the holy grail of Cooper ownership. guaranteed miles. 1 Owner. nice history. With prices of all Cooper S going through the roof this may be your last chance in this price bracket. A very sound purchase and a great place to park some money and have fun for the next few years!

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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