BMC Mini Cooper S MKII 1968 Model
BMC Mini Cooper S MKII 1968 Model
In September 1961, the Austin Mini Cooper and Morris Mini Cooper made their debuts, initially with a 997cc version of the BMC A-series engine. When it appeared in 1959, it not only made motoring affordable to so many, but in doing so set some trends that invigorated an industry that had only just got back on its feet after the war years. And, as with many ground-breaking designs, it did not take long for there to be a desire to make it go faster, a tendency that did not go unnoticed by one of Britain’s motor sport heroes, John Cooper.
John was co-founder, with his father Charles, of the Cooper Car Company. As a friend of the Mini’s creator, Alec Issigonis, Cooper saw the car’s potential for competition, but Issigonis was initially reluctant to see the Mini in the role of a performance car. So, Cooper appealed to the British Motor Corporation’s (BMC) management, and in 1961 an agreement was reached that led to the two men collaborating to create Cooper versions of both Austin and Morris versions of the Mini. (Austin and Morris badging was dropped in 1969 when Mini became a model line.)
# The example on offer is in fact one of the very last models ever produced as an individual model before all future produced cars were manufactured under the Leyland Badging.
The Mini Mk II model of the Austin and Morris Mini Cooper S was launched in October 1967. Some changes were made most notably a larger rear window and different rear lights. Both Austin and Morris guises were assembled from Completely Knocked Down (CKD) packs – as opposed to being manufactured – at the BMC (later Leykor, then Leyland) plant in Blackheath, Cape Town. Everything the assembly plant needed (or at least almost everything) was shipped as a kit from England and assembled into the final product. Sometimes some local changes were made. These changes could have been only a matter of changes for marketing reasons, but usually they were driven by “local content” laws which meant simply that Minis could be assembled in a country if a certain percentage of the total content of the car was produced in that country.
According to the UK Heritage records of CKD packs exported to South Africa, this car was listed as an Austin, so why it emerged as a Morris is a mystery.
Only 655 Cooper S Models (both 1071cc and 1275cc) were assembled in South Africa. If you have a South African Mini, you will find detailed differences from the English cars following a pattern similarly to the Australian cars. In fact, the South African Minis made use of the same roll-up, vent wing window doors for a while starting in early 1967.The SA versions also came with the option of bucket seats, they were however all fitted with twin fuel tanks and an oil cooler in front of the distributor along with an additional header tank to improving the cooling.
This genuine and original 1275cc Morris Cooper S Mk II is believed to be 1 of only 3 cars in South Africa. The car has an interesting history from new with only 2 previous registered owners from 18 September 1968 to 4 December 1989. It was de-registered by the second owner to be overhauled and resprayed. It remained partially disassembled until July 2019, when the current owner commenced a complete and detailed restoration of the car to the original color, body, and engine specification.
The body shell is recognized as genuine BMC Mini Cooper MK II, with the larger rear window and light clusters. According to the original registration document it has the original 1275 engine, with nitrated crankshaft, and fitted with later oil-cooler and radiator header tank for improved cooling in tropical climates.
It is fitted with 4 x 4,5J 9-hole original rims with new Dunlop SP Sport 165/70 tires and with a period correct 3,5J spare wheel and jack in the boot.
Interior- Simply perfect having been completely re-trimmed in the original black vinyl coated seat fabric, new black carpet set, matching door cards and restored flawless dash which all complement the exterior wonderfully. The boot area is impressive with gleaming gloss black painted twin tanks synonymous with the Cooper S and new carpeted boot floor.
Exterior- This Morris Mini Cooper S MK II finished in its original Almond Green with the roof in Old English White is seriously impressive with a deep glossy uniformed flawless finish. All the chrome detailing has a mirror finish and is immaculate throughout the underside of the car is equally immaculate, unmarked, the original matching numbers engine was fully rebuilt by Bob Osborne and has only covered a mere 285 km since completion.
The engine bay is completely detailed, and the drive train retains the original Hardy Spicer couplings and prop shaft.
This Cooper S only be described as a collectors / enthusiast’s dream. It wants for nothing and is ready to be used and enjoyed.
The cars is licensed and registered on the South African Natis system.
Model:1968
Transmission type: Manual.
Vehicle colour: Almond Green
Mileage: Restored
Interior colour: Black
Number of doors: Two Doors
Convertible: No
Driver side: Right Hand Side
Fuel: Petrol
Motor size (CC):1275cc
Owner's Manual: No
Restoration History: Yes
Price: R695000-00