1964 Mini Cooper 970 S
A 1964 BMC Mini Cooper 970S homologation special, one of only 963 built during its brief ten-month production run, constructed on 14 August 1964 and finished in Tartan Red with a black roof. Originally campaigned on circuits throughout Britain and abroad during the 1960s, it was subsequently stored for nearly three decades before a comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic restoration in the early 2000s. Registered with the Ex-Works and Competition Car Register, it retains its original matching-numbers engine and gearbox.
Ownership
- 2024-02-24Auction saleSold £30,000 (≈ $38K)
- 1964 → 1964Factory deliveryHaslemere Motor Companyfull documentation
First dealership recipient of the car, based in Guildford, Surrey; supplying agent for the first retail owner.
- 1964 → 1971Private saleMr John Whittonfull documentation
Used the car both on public roads and for circuit racing throughout the 1960s; a BARC member who worked for a national newspaper, giving him broad connections in motorsport circles.
- 2000 → 2000Acquisition unknownUnknown owner post-storage salenone documentation
Car was retrieved from approximately 29 years of dry storage and sold in 2000 ahead of restoration.
- 2000 →Acquisition unknownUK-based owner post-restorationpartial documentation
Commissioned the 2000–2003 full restoration; kept the car in the UK for a few years afterwards before it moved to Portugal.
- → 2018Acquisition unknownPortuguese ownerpartial documentation
Car resided in Portugal during this period before being sourced for the Twin Sparks Collection in 2018.
- 2018 →Private saleTwin Sparks Collectionpartial documentation
Acquired this car as the last addition to the collection; it was retained as the owner's personal favourite and is now being offered for sale.
Competition
- —Group One/Two saloon car racingUK circuit racing (various circuits)Driver: Mr John Whitton
Car raced on almost every UK circuit during the 1960s, with Silverstone noted as a regular venue; also raced abroad on at least three occasions.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1971Maintenance
Rather than being scrapped when values were very low, the car was placed into dry storage, where it remained for approximately 29 years.
- 2000Restoration
Comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic restoration carried out over roughly three years. The original 970cc engine was bored out to 999cc with a new lightened and balanced crankshaft, Cooper S connecting rods, race pistons, a lightened flywheel, duplex timing gears, a hardened and balanced camshaft, and a five-port race cylinder head ported and polished with race valves. The gearbox was fitted with a new straight-cut gear set and bearings. Underbody and suspension components were bead-blasted, powder-coated or replaced, including new brake discs, reconditioned calipers, hubs, driveshafts and new Armstrong adjustable racing dampers. Interior fitted with period-style instrumentation, new carpets, roof lining, and a wood-rim steering wheel using as much new-old-stock material as possible.
Completed by 2003; matching-numbers engine and gearbox retained throughout.
- 2018Mechanical
Following re-import to the UK by the Twin Sparks Collection, the final drive ratio was changed to a more road-friendly specification.
- 2018Bodywork
Interior retrimmed in the original colour scheme; period-correct bucket seats professionally fitted.
- —Engine rebuildBMC Competition Department, Abingdon
Engine sent to BMC's Competition Department at Abingdon for a rebuild during the car's active racing years in the 1960s.
- —InspectionSpeedwell, London
Car attended Speedwell of London for rolling-road testing and tuning, achieving a recorded output of 108bhp.
Achieved in-period and considered a notable output figure.
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