7th Dec, 2024 10:00

The December 2024 Auction

1970 Mini Cooper S MKIII
Exciting restoration opportunity

 Estimate
£8,000 - £9,000

 Lot details

Registration: TRU399J
Chassis: XAD1598060 *See Text*
Odometer: 00455
Transmission: Manual
MOT: Exempt

• Rare Mk3 Cooper S project
• Comes with many parts (see listing below)
• Family owned for the last 40 years

Here we have a great opportunity to rebuild a Mk3 Mini Cooper S which has been tucked away in a barn since, we believe, the late 80s / early 90s. Given only 1,570 Mk3 Cooper S models were built between 1970 and 1971, this is a very rare version of the Mini and they were virtually indistinguishable from a standard Mini 1000 of the same era, save for the twin tanks, wheels, 130mph speedo and badging.

This example was owned by Mr Egerton who purchased the car from the first owner, Mr Brian Aylen, in the 80s. It appears the Mini was subsequently put into the name of Mrs Suzanne Egerton (wife) following the death of Mr Egerton.

Mr / Mrs Egerton ran the Mini until the late 1980s when it was stripped for restoration.

It appears from the file that new panels were purchased (receipts available) and that they were used to repair the original shell, which is now in super condition. It is believed that the original colour of the car was Antelope - although at some stage it was repainted blue and the repaired shell is also now blue. There is evidence of the original antelope colour inside the doors and on the cover for the hole in the rear seat back. There is a copy of the old buff logbook in the file showing that the colour of the Mini as Antelope.

The shell would appear to be the correct Mk3 shell although we cannot be 100% certain it is the original shell.

As well as the shell, we have the following parts that come as part of the Lot:

• Front subframe with steering rack, brake set up, displacers, hoses and arms
• Rear subframe with displacers and hoses
• Twin tanks
• Rear radius arms with drums and Minifins
• Wiper mechanism
• Heater
• Front and rear seat - front driver’s seat is an aftermarket item
• Glass set plus spare front screen
• 3 into 1 manifold
• Steering wheel (Formula) plus column, plus rev counter wired to column
• Remote gearchange
• Servo
• 2 x 10 inch wheels with tyres
• 4 x 10 inch wheels
• Rear seat back hole cover
• Boot board
• Battery cover
• Front and rear cards
• 2 x bumpers
• Rear carpet and bulkhead carpet
• Radiator
• Twin carbs
• Rear bin liners
• Lower dash rail
• Speedo and wiring (mileage showing as 00455 miles)
• 12G940 cylinder head (11 stud)
• Oil cooler
• Block - stamped as AEG512 / AEG634 with removable tappet chest covers and crank - no gearbox present
• Webasto roof with Perspex wind deflector
• 4 x boxes of various other bits and bobs

In addition to the shell and parts, we also have the Heritage Certificate, old style V5 plus photocopies of the previous V5, previous MOT certificates, invoices back to the 1970s for work including the supply of a replacement engine in 1976, Panel Parts Guide, and Kent Cams manual.

The VIN number for the Mini is showing as X-AD1/159806-A on the Heritage Certificate, XAD1598060 on the latest V5, and XAD1 159806A on the VIN tag.

There is no engine plate fitted to the block.

The HPi report is showing a VIC pass (identity check) in 2004 - which may have been when the Mini was inspected by DVLA. There is no Category registered on the HPi report indicating that it hasn’t been written off at any stage. We understand that this VIC check will appear on the new V5 to be issued to the new owner.

Overall - a fantastic opportunity for the new owner to rebuild a rare Mk3 Cooper S.