THE RACE RETRO COLLECTORS’ & COMPETITION CAR SALE 23rd & 24th February 2024

+ buyers premium of 12.5% plus VAT (15% incl VAT) on the first £300,000 of the hammer and 10% plus VAT (12% incl VAT) thereafter 47 Registration: UXD 725G Chassis No.: CA2SB1187165A Estimate: £30,000 - £35,000 Specialist: Nick Whale Telephone No: 07831 440158 Lot 738 1969 Austin Mini Cooper 1275S ‘Works’ Replica This excellent and original 1275cc Mini Cooper ‘S’ was supplied new in October 1968 by H A Saunders of London as confirmed by its Heritage Certificate which remains in the car’s comprehensive history file. It’s first owner was Jerry Pyrke who went on to become the Service Manager at Oliver-Rix Ltd who were BMC/BLMC/ Austin-Rover dealers in Leagrave Road, Luton. He kept it until 1983 when he sold it to Peter Valentine. Correspondence in the file from Peter tells the story of the Marathon and their early exit (an unfortunate encounter with a FIAT pick-up truck) and also details the full build specification at the time. Peter continues “UXD was brought back to England on my trailer and taken to Bourne Brothers for a top-class rebuild. It went into a full vehicle alignment jig and a complete new front end was fitted which included both wings, front panel, inner wings, one A-panel and the screen scuttle panel. A new sub-frame was seam-welded and strengthened and brakes and drive shafts transferred from the original.” (There are some images of the car during its rallying days attached). UXD did several more rallies including the Mike Spence Longleat Stages Rally in 1990 and the 1990 Targa Rusticana before featuring, during early 1991 in Marshalls showroom as part of the launch of the new Mini Cooper. One day in March it was spotted there by Norman Grimshaw who was put in touch with Peter and shortly became the car’s third owner. ‘Stormin’ Norman was a well known historic racer and Bon Vivant, whose many escapades in various Minis and Morris Minors had to be seen to be believed. His frequent co-pilot was Barry “Whizzo” Williams and they were a regular and formidable winning pair at the Goodwood Revival St. Mary’s Trophy. The owner prior to our vendor, Graham Spratt, acquired the car in May 1999 and it was in regular road use until 2017 when the time came for a bit of a refresh. He was obviously an enthusiast of those legendary mid-sixties factory rally cars and, after some consideration, the decision was taken to completely strip and rebuild the car in to the stunning “Works replica” that it is today. No stone was left unturned, with the original engine fully rebuilt to competition spec with an output of 80bhp at 5,300rpm (documented in the history file), a competition straight-cut ONJ (Oliver Jeynes) gearbox, all-correct ‘Works’ spec switchgear and dashboard (including the TOK switch for the heated rear screen) the co-driver’s map light and the individual co-driver’s horn button. A ‘Works’ replica roll-cage has also been fitted along with period-correct Lucas fog and driving lamps, reversing light, boot and bonnet straps and clear headlight protectors. A complete new wiring loom was also fitted and adapted for electronic ignition and a correct Kenlowe fan. When the rebuild was complete, the car was correctly finished in Competition Department Tartan Red with a white roof and black interior) and has only covered a nominal mileage since. It is, today, a delightful and accurate period Works rally replica, matching numbers and original engine, but importantly based on an original 1968 Cooper 1275S, highly collectable in its own right. Complete with a comprehensive history file, old registration documents and a modern V5C, this fabulous little Cooper is ready to go historic rallying or just to enjoy on the road - sensibly priced and beautifully built. A delightful and accurate period ‘Works’ rally replica based on an original 1968 1275 Cooper S, matching numbers, superbly presented and finished with incredible attention to detail. More Details Lot 738 Bid On Lot 738