Registration - JWE 399C

Chassis No. - CA257386451

M.O.T. - Exempt

Odometer - 0

Mini mania shows no sign of abating and good original Cooper Ss are particularly keenly sought by enthusiasts of Issigonis’ mould-breaking baby. ‘JWE 399C’ is understood to be a 1071cc-engined example, and therefore one of the first c.4,000 Minis to wear the Cooper S badge. It was recently imported from South Africa and the vendor notes that the dry climate means ‘the body and underneath are in outstanding condition’. Indeed, he not only considers the bodywork but also the white over dark green paintwork, black interior trim, A Series engine and four-speed manual gearbox to all be in ‘excellent’ order, and classes the headlining, glass and brightwork as ‘good’. The car features the front disc brakes, sliding windows and external hinges redolent of the standard car and lacks the optional brake booster and second fuel tank. However, instead of the normal pair of SU carburettors it sports a downdraft twin-choke Weber. Other extras include a Landar alloy rocker cover, more-supportive seats, leather–rimmed steering wheel and Exacton alloy road wheels shod with ‘good’ tyres, while the original kph speedometer has been replaced with a 130mph one. The Mini comes complete with South African Police form confirming that it ‘has not been stolen or written off’, proof of import duties paid, plus a DataDot security system and new Lucas battery. An altogether interesting car that’s certainly worthy of further investigation.

When Paddy Hopkirk and Henry Liddon won the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally in their 1071cc Mini-Cooper S, both car and crew starred on Sunday Night At The London Palladium and were front page news in the national newspapers – it was one of the greatest British motorsport stories of all time.

In summary:

• A smartly-presented example
• Benefits from having lived in the dry climate of South Africa
• Comes with Exacton alloy wheels and other upgrades