Austin Mini Cooper Mk1 998cc

10 April 2014

Sir Leonard Lord, then President of the British Motor Corporation, decided to manufacture a ‘proper’ motor car in miniature to take on this threat and realised his brilliant free thinking engineer (later Sir) Alec Issigonis had unconventional but promising ideas.

Issigonis and his team produced the Mini; a 10ft long miracle of packaging launched as the Austin Se7en in 1959. Its transverse engine, sump mounted gearbox and external seams meant it genuinely seated four people but was only slightly larger than a Bubble car. F1 World Champion constructor John Cooper realised its competition potential, pitched the Mini Cooper idea to BMC, and created a legend; a string of international competition victories in racing and rallying followed.

This MK 1 Mini Cooper is a very exciting prospect indeed because Ant Anstead at Evanta Motors and Mini expert Keith Calver have managed to retain the authenticity which makes this car so special whilst building a stunning Mini Cooper, which could be used for shows or motor sport. The car had been standing in a barn in Ireland since the late nineties but was complete, structurally sound and had an interesting history backed up by its accompanying paperwork.

When 539 KYI was 2 years old then owner Mr John Hughes of Ambleside instructed local BMC Agents R.Smith of Bowness, Cumbria, to modify the car using components purchased from Downton Engineering. Daniel Richmond's firm were BMC's most famous tuning agents and Richmond himself was responsible for the engine specification of the Mini Cooper S. The period modifications to 339 KYI included an internally polished Downton cylinder head with larger valves, a Downton manifold, twin SU H.4 carburettors, a Kenlowe cast  aluminium radiator bracket, Dunlop D1 alloy wheels (now with new Dunlop tyres) and wonderful Knighton seats, which have been given the minor repairs they needed but still wear their original covers. The interior also features a fabulous period Les Leston wooden steering wheel and matching gear knob.

All have been preserved during a restoration which has encompassed every single area of the car. The original bodyshell needed a small number of replacement panels but was in fundamentally sound condition (It probably has been in an accident according to Ant Antstead). It has been restored to perfect as-new condition at Evanta and totally re-sprayed, inside and out, in its original Almond Green and Snowberry White. The engine and running gear have been rebuilt by Keith Calver, the ‘dry’ suspension features AVO shock absorbers and SuperPro bushes to enhance still further the Mini’s legendary handling as well as Goodridge brake lines and many new components from Mini Spares.

Statistics:
Production date: 21/01/1964
Production: BMC – ‘Austin’, Longbridge, Birmingham
Colour: Almond Green and Old English White
Specification: RHD, home market
Supplied to: Dias and Company Limited Carlisle
Engine: 998cc 4IL OHV
Power: 55bhp@5,800rpm (standard car)
Torque: 57lb.ft@3,000rpm (standard car)
Body: Steel monocoque
Maximum speed: 90mph (standard car)

0-60mph: 16.8secs (standard car)

Production: 1964-1967

Production vol: 39,364 (Cooper Mk1 998cc)