Cooper (United Kingdom, 1961)

The Mini Cooper is the most desired and expensive Mini models. It’s a collector piece with clubs and events completely dedicated to it. Released in 1961, the Mini Cooper quickly became the “must have car” for all sorts of people, from the regular Joe to the rock superstar. The production of this version ended in 1964.

The racing potential of the Mini was spotted by John Cooper, specialized in Formula 1 and rally car design. First discarded by Min’s designer, Issigonis, the idea was then embraced by the British Motor Company, the Mini producer. It took 23 months for the racing version of the Mini to be completed.

The Mini Cooper was lighter, powerful and easier to drive than the original Mini. It had several improvements aside the upgraded engine: front disc brakes, remote gearchange and a close ratio gearbox.

Through the years different versions of the Mini Cooper have been produced with better motors and following the mechanical and technological innovations along with different aesthetics. However, this Mini Cooper never lost its charm and its motoring is still suits our everyday life.

The Mini Cooper is a a-series powered car with 997 cc. that used a smaller 62.43 mm bore and longer 81.28 mm stroke, 1 litre, developing 55bhp. It was later, in 1964, replaced by a 998 cc. The Cooper has a 4 speed manual transmission and twin SU carborators. The top speed rose to 85 mph.

It’s not easy to find two Mini Coopers alike. During the 1960s, everybody wanted a Cooper, The Beatles, Peter Sellers, Graham Hill and even Enzo Ferrari. To keep the Coopers different from the neighbors’, there were many available things, at an affordable price, that could be added to the Mini Cooper: wood, leather, more instruments, winding windows, etc. One of the most popular was probably painting the roof white. However, the Cooper version already included a contrasting roof color.

The large headlights are one of the most recognizable features of the Cooper. The Mini Cooper has 5 seats.

Built as a racing car, this version of the Mini Cooper did well on the tracks, although it was quickly replaced by the Mini Cooper S. In its short life, it finished the Monte Carlo Rally in third place in 1963 with the tram R Aaltonen / A Ambrose at the wheel.