First Cooper S ??
Discussion
It's listed on the DVLA data base as an Austin Mini Cooper 'S' 1275.
It's unlikely that the number relates to a vehicle which was originally a 1275 'S' as the 1275 didn't appear until 1964, but it could have been a 1963 Cooper 'S' 1071 as not all licencing authorities used the 'A' suffix in 1963 and had an engine change to 1275 at some later time, which would still make it a genuine original Cooper 'S'.
It's unlikely that the number relates to a vehicle which was originally a 1275 'S' as the 1275 didn't appear until 1964, but it could have been a 1963 Cooper 'S' 1071 as not all licencing authorities used the 'A' suffix in 1963 and had an engine change to 1275 at some later time, which would still make it a genuine original Cooper 'S'.
The 1071 Cooper 'S' was introduced in, I think, March or April 1963. It won its first International Rally in January 1964 when Barrie Williams won the Welsh International in 120MNP, followed by Paddy Hopkirk's win on the Monte Carlo a couple of weeks later in 33EJB.
The 1275 was introduced in Spring 1964 together with the 970 version intended to win in the 'up to 1000 cc' class.
Ah, those were the days.
The original Mini Cooper was the 997 introduced in Sept 1961, that being changed for the better 998 engine from Jan 1964.
I'm just restoring a 1961 997 cc engine today. What a strange little engine it is with a smaller bore than even the 850 and a stroke of 3.2". No wonder it burnt oil.
The 1275 was introduced in Spring 1964 together with the 970 version intended to win in the 'up to 1000 cc' class.
Ah, those were the days.
The original Mini Cooper was the 997 introduced in Sept 1961, that being changed for the better 998 engine from Jan 1964.
I'm just restoring a 1961 997 cc engine today. What a strange little engine it is with a smaller bore than even the 850 and a stroke of 3.2". No wonder it burnt oil.
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