Details
1971 MINI COOPER 'S'
Registration No. JLX 923K
Chassis No. XAD1412857A
Engine No. 12H397F1470
Silver with grey cloth interior.
Engine: four cylinder, overhead valve, 1,275cc, Downton No.5 Touring conversion; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: disc front, drum rear; Suspension: independent. Right hand drive.
From the moment that the Mini arrived in 1959 it was obvious that Alec Issigonis' brilliant concept of putting an independently sprung wheel at each corner, with a transverse engine in unit with gearbox, and front wheel drive, was an ideal recipe for superlative handling. All that was needed was more power, which was forthcoming in 1961 coupled to the name of racing car maker John Cooper. Various engine sizes were offered in Mini Coopers over the years, this one being with the largest 1,275cc unit.
The car offered here was first registered in December 1971 having been purchased new by Mr. J.E. Bowyer of London SW9. There are invoices on file from the first service until March 1973 when the present owner purchased the car. Looking for extra performance, he then entrusted the car to respected Mini specialists, Downton of Salisbury, who implemented their No.5 conversion which involved fitting a modified cylinder head with improved combustion chamber shape and modified porting and valves. The compression ratio was raised to 10.5:1 and a long centre branch extractor exhaust manifold fitted together with twin 1½in SU carburettors. Back in 1973 this conversion amounted to £418 which included balancing the pistons, lightening the flywheel and balancing the complete crankshaft assembly! Invoices on file confirm all this work and further invoices through the 1980s make up its mechanical history. In March 1985 the engine was again removed and sent away for specialist machining with lapped-in valves and a polished and rebuilt cylinder head. The engine was fully balanced and a new gearbox fitted with special clutch. This time the work came to £1,600 and the decision was taken to fit a new body shell as the existing body, at that time, had seen better days. Thus the Mini now looks to be a standard road version, albeit with twin petrol fillers and alloy wheels. A special exhaust system is also incorporated and the car also has a wheel arch set. The interior trim is also from the more modern example.
In conclusion, this example retains its sporting abilites with "breathed on" engine and yet appears outwardly to be nothing more than a humble road-going example. The Downton specification sheet claimed 100mph in third gear, making this Mini probably the ultimate Q car.
Registration No. JLX 923K
Chassis No. XAD1412857A
Engine No. 12H397F1470
Silver with grey cloth interior.
Engine: four cylinder, overhead valve, 1,275cc, Downton No.5 Touring conversion; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: disc front, drum rear; Suspension: independent. Right hand drive.
From the moment that the Mini arrived in 1959 it was obvious that Alec Issigonis' brilliant concept of putting an independently sprung wheel at each corner, with a transverse engine in unit with gearbox, and front wheel drive, was an ideal recipe for superlative handling. All that was needed was more power, which was forthcoming in 1961 coupled to the name of racing car maker John Cooper. Various engine sizes were offered in Mini Coopers over the years, this one being with the largest 1,275cc unit.
The car offered here was first registered in December 1971 having been purchased new by Mr. J.E. Bowyer of London SW9. There are invoices on file from the first service until March 1973 when the present owner purchased the car. Looking for extra performance, he then entrusted the car to respected Mini specialists, Downton of Salisbury, who implemented their No.5 conversion which involved fitting a modified cylinder head with improved combustion chamber shape and modified porting and valves. The compression ratio was raised to 10.5:1 and a long centre branch extractor exhaust manifold fitted together with twin 1½in SU carburettors. Back in 1973 this conversion amounted to £418 which included balancing the pistons, lightening the flywheel and balancing the complete crankshaft assembly! Invoices on file confirm all this work and further invoices through the 1980s make up its mechanical history. In March 1985 the engine was again removed and sent away for specialist machining with lapped-in valves and a polished and rebuilt cylinder head. The engine was fully balanced and a new gearbox fitted with special clutch. This time the work came to £1,600 and the decision was taken to fit a new body shell as the existing body, at that time, had seen better days. Thus the Mini now looks to be a standard road version, albeit with twin petrol fillers and alloy wheels. A special exhaust system is also incorporated and the car also has a wheel arch set. The interior trim is also from the more modern example.
In conclusion, this example retains its sporting abilites with "breathed on" engine and yet appears outwardly to be nothing more than a humble road-going example. The Downton specification sheet claimed 100mph in third gear, making this Mini probably the ultimate Q car.