1963 Mini Mk I-III Cooper

This 1963 Austin Mini Cooper is a US-market example that is said to have been modified for racing in the 1960s. It is finished in Almond Green with an Old English White roof and features perspex sliding door windows, front disc brakes, and 10″ steel wheels. The cabin is fitted with Restall bucket seats and a wood-rimmed Cooper steering wheel. The rear bench has been removed, and an aluminum fuel tank is installed in the trunk. Power is supplied by a 997cc inline-four equipped with dual SU carburetors, while shifting is through a four-speed manual transaxle. Acquired by the selling dealer in 2012, this Mk I Cooper is now offered in Oregon with a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate, manufacturer’s literature, correspondence from previous owners, and a clean South Carolina title. The car left the factory finished in Almond Green with an Old English White roof. The rear fuel filler doors were removed and the body was repainted under previous ownership. A rear-view mirror is mounted to the driver-side A-pillar, and the hood is secured via an extended release catch as well as fasteners at the front corners. Further details include perspex sliding door windows pop-out rear quarter windows, and rear windshield, twin center-exit exhaust outlets, and chrome bumpers with overriders. Dents, scratches, and tarnished chrome are visible around the body. The majority of the selling dealer’s photos were taken in August 2023. White-finished 10″ steel wheels wear chrome hubcaps and are mounted with 165/70 Yokohama A-008 tires. Braking is handled by front discs and rear drums. Corrosion and missing finish is noted on the wheels. The Restall bucket seats are trimmed in black vinyl upholstery with patterned inserts and accompanied by Triumph-branded lap belts. The rear bench has been removed, and the floors are lined with black carpets. The padded dash cover is peeling on the left side. The wood-rimmed Cooper steering wheel is paired with a remote shifter with a wood knob. A Smiths tachometer is located to the left of the centrally mounted cluster, which houses a 100-mph speedometer with an inset fuel gauge flanked by water temperature and oil pressure readouts. The five-digit odometer shows 19k miles. A nine gallon aluminum fuel tank is installed in the trunk, and the battery has been relocated to a compartment fitted in place of the removed rear bench. The 997cc inline-four is equipped with dual SU carburetors topped by pancake air cleaners. Power is sent to the front wheels via a four-speed manual transaxle. Corrosion is visible on various underbody components. The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate lists a dispatch date of 14 September 1962, along with serial numbers and colors. Manufacturer’s literature and a copy of the June 1963 edition of Sports Car Graphic magazine will also accompany the car and can be viewed in the gallery. Car number CA2S7L269784 appears on the tag shown above, and the VIN on the South Carolina title transposes the fourth character “S” as a “5.”