1967 MORRIS MINI

The Collection has examples of all the Mini Cooper S derivatives and this delightful Morris Mini Cooper S 1,275cc completed the set. It was dispatched to the dealer Stewart & Arden Ltd in Ilford on 23rd February 1967 and the Heritage Certificate confirms that it was originally finished in Old English White with the options listed as an oil-cooler, fresh air heater and the extra fuel tank that was nearly always selected on the 1275 S.

We believe that the car may have been a demonstrator or a Dealer Principal's car as the next owner (the first private owner) was a Mr Hart of Southend-on-Sea who purchased it on 1st April 1968. In 1973, he moved to Cornwall taking his beloved Mini Cooper with him where it remained until purchased by dealers, Wheel Garage of Ashton, in 1977. They subsequently retailed the Mini to a Mr Lloyd of Porthleven who enjoyed it for a few years before storing it in his garage awaiting a bit of work.

By 1991, it was obvious that the little Cooper wasn’t going to get the attention it deserved so, in December of that year, it was sold to Mike Wright who had known the car for around ten years and was looking for a project after recently finishing another restoration. By this time, ‘UMM’ was looking a little sad and Mike commenced a full nut and bolt restoration (photos on file).

By 2000, he still hadn’t finished the project and agreed to sell it to a Mr Southcott of Fareham who continued the process until finished to a very good standard in 2004 (there is a full photographic record of this work in the history file). Mr Southcott used the car very lightly and carefully until 2009 when it was spotted by avid collector, Mr Brooker of Stratford-upon-Avon, who was attracted by its wonderful condition. Mr Brooker sadly passed away a few years later and the Cooper joined the Anthony Hamilton Collection.

Now in Island Blue, this stunning little Cooper remains in outstanding show condition. The huge history folder contains copies of all the V5 documents, its Heritage Certificate, lots of bills, invoices and old MOT Certificates dating back to the early seventies. The most recent expenditure was in 2018 when it had a full engine and gearbox rebuild by Paul Preston Classic Restoration of Market Harborough at a cost of £5,427 and we understand that the car has covered very few miles since.

A super example of a sixties 1275 S with documented ownership history from new.