1960 Austin Mini Cooper S Works Recreation
A 1960-shell Mini (first registered January 1961) built as a faithful recreation of the famous works Mini-Cooper S rally cars of the mid-1960s. Originally prepared by David Becket, a former Standard Triumph Vanguard rallyist, the car was subsequently exported to the United States, repatriated in 2015, and further developed by Mike Wilkinson to a high specification. Running a tuned 1275cc eleven-stud engine producing around 90bhp, it is road-registered and prepared for club and historic rally competition.
Ownership
- 2017-02-24Auction saleSold £16,500 (≈ $21K)
- → 2007Acquisition unknownDavid Becketpartial documentation
Original builder and preparer of the car; Becket was a former rally competitor who chose to base the build on a genuine early 1960 shell and develop it as a works Mini-Cooper S homage.
- 2007 → 2015Acquisition unknownUS ownerpartial documentation
Car was sold to the United States and is understood to have participated in regularity rallies and time-trials during this period.
- 2015 →Private saleMike Wilkinsonpartial documentation
Acquired after repatriation to the UK via Bob West of MGA Specialists. Wilkinson undertook further mechanical development to bring the car to its current specification, and later carried out additional servicing work.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Purchased with the intention of competing as a husband-and-wife rally team, but other commitments intervened and the car has seen little use in recent times.
Competition
- —Regularity rallies and time-trials (USA)
Car is believed to have been used in regularity rally and time-trial events during its period of US ownership between 2007 and 2015.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2015RestorationJohn Lamb
Car further developed and brought to its current specification by new owner, including full engine build to 1275cc eleven-stud specification with Weber carburettor, competition internals, and custom exhaust; rolling road setup achieved approximately 90bhp.
Rolling road tuning and setup performed by John Lamb following completion of the engine build.
- 2015Mechanical
Gearbox rebuilt with three-synchro straight-cut internals, 3.44:1 quick-shift, limited-slip differential, new gaskets and oil seals, plus a lightweight flywheel and competition clutch assembly.
Carried out around the time of repatriation and acquisition by Mike Wilkinson.
- —ServiceMike Wilkinson
Recent servicing covering engine and gearbox attention, fitment of a large-vane water pump, electronic flasher unit, steering gaiters, new coolant hoses, high-pressure oil feed hose, rear brake actuators, and maintenance to track-rod ends and ball joints.
Described as recent work carried out prior to the auction offering.
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