Abstract Art: 1967 Austin Mini Cooper S
Art appreciation is a subjective thing. Some people will look at the Mona Lisa and see a magnificent portrait produced by an artist at the height of his powers. Others will see it as little more than a picture of an unknown woman with a sly smile on her face. That brings us to the subject of this 1967 Austin Mini Cooper S. Its previous owner was an abstract artist, and he has left his mark on this classic. The buyer will need to decide whether to retain it as a piece of art or return it to a factory-fresh state. Located in Kissimmee, Florida, you will find the Mini listed for sale here on eBay. Eighteen bids have pushed the price to $3,716, but this figure remains short of the reserve.
There’s a bit to consider with this little Mini. It now sports so many different paint colors that it is impossible to determine what it wore when it rolled off the production line. There is every color of the rainbow, along with a few extras that people probably have never even thought of. However, when we delve below that paint, we find a car that appears to be remarkably solid. It would still be worth performing an in-person inspection to determine whether there is any hidden rust, but it looks encouraging. The panels are pretty straight for a vehicle of this type and age, with only a few minor blemishes and issues. Most of the trim and chrome is also present, and it all appears restorable. If an underside inspection reveals this classic to be rust-free, returning it to its former glory will not be a difficult undertaking.
Do you hear that noise? It is the sound of Mini enthusiasts hyperventilating as they see the paint finish under the hood of this classic. You have to say that the appearance is, er, distinctive. The Mini Cooper S was a giant-killer of the 1960s. Its 1,275cc four-cylinder engine produced 78hp that found its way to the road via the front wheels and a four-speed manual transmission. Tipping the scales at mere 1,400lbs, it is no surprise that it managed to demolish the ¼ mile in a respectable 18.4 seconds. These little gems achieved enormous success in many fields of motorsport, including victories in the grueling Monte Carlo Rally. Unfortunately, this vehicle is not numbers-matching. Its original engine and twin carburetors have disappeared, and there is a standard Mini engine occupying the space under the hood. Its size is unclear and will require investigation. However, it does start, run, and drive. That means that returning it to the road in the short term may not be difficult. Sourcing a replacement engine is also possible, and thanks to high production numbers, they are relatively easy to find. It would be worth pursuing this further because a Cooper S with its original 1,275 under the hood provides an entertaining driving experience. There are no definitive interior shots, but apart from a lack of carpet, it appears to be complete and suitable for restoration.
While there will undoubtedly be a few readers who will advocate for retaining this 1967 Mini Cooper S in its current form, I suspect that the majority will want to return it to something close to its factory specifications and color. The loss of the original engine is a blow in a case like this, but it isn’t the end of the world. Thanks to high production numbers, locating a period-correct 1275cc engine and matching carburetors is not a difficult assignment. The car will never be numbers-matching, but if restored to a high standard, it could still achieve a potential value beyond $30,000. It is the type of project that would suit somebody who wants to undertake a hands-on restoration but has limited space. The bidding history to date demonstrates how desirable this classic is, and I suspect that it will be headed to a new home very soon.
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Comments
Love the way the engine wiring matches the paint….
Takes Lucas wiring to new heights,,
The wiring job is the kind that gave Lucas the Prince of Darkness name:-)
Loose
Unsoldered
Connections
And
Splices.
Better paint than the V dub yesterday.
If I am reading the ebay listing correctly this Mini does not have a proper VIN. The FE number listed for the VIN really has nothing to do with the serial/production number of the car (more like a sub assembly part number). While some of the features point to a genuine Cooper S without a correct VIN plate the value is minimal. Just taking a quick look at the photos of the listing … the engine is a small bore (998 or smaller), the suspension is “Dry” rather then the “Wet” style a 1967 Cooper S would have left the factory with, outside door handles are earlier than 1967, twin filler gas tank necks are positioned wonky (not even from side to side). That odd seam around the roof (reskinned maybe?). Did you see the sheet metal patch work inside the r/frt wheel well and r/frt door opening? Yikes. Anyhow is a Cooper S a Cooper S without its factory assigned VIN?
The trunk lid with the Cooper S script, doesn’t appear to be original to the car. There is no brake booster. I’ve rebuilt a Mini 1000 as bad as this. It started at holes beneath the windshield, By the time I was finished every floor was replaced, even the trunk, as well as complete rocker panels, inside and out, along with all four mounting points for the rear sub frame.
Car’s not pretty but it looks to be solid. Lot of welding went on with this one. Clean it, paint it, drive it.
A switched VIN is the huge problem, just wonder how people can try to get away with stuff like this.
the hot model so
“mini…power wagon…mini…power wagon…mini…”
(2 on the ‘front page’ here.)
Cooper S? Wishful thinking, but it may add to the sale price. No wonder there’s a bunch of fake Cooper S cars out there. Oh, and that under hood mess surely can’t be traced back to Lucas.
Aw, Cooper S was an awesome little car. They corner like a go-kart, ( ever see them lift the inside rear wheel on hard cornering?) and fast. Not much can beat it through at least 3rd gear. When I had my MGB, I met a guy with a Cooper S,, I asked if he’d trade even up, he said no way. Again, as big as that ’34 Packard is, unless you’ve actually seen one of these, they are incredibly small, and unless you have a problem sharing the road with some ultimate behemoth dually, a Mini may not be for you. Very cool cars,,,
https://sfcitizen.com/blog/2012/08/29/aint-that-america-usa-by-sloan-schang-old-school-mini-cooper-vs-big-old-american-pickup/
Well, folks, it appears that no one has taken a close look at this nightmare. The so-called “art” looks to have been inspired by a combination of tendrils of something drifting through the air and a fervent desire to hide what is laughingly called “the wiring”. A close examination of the pics seems to show holes and cavities in places where no one ever thought to place them, until recently. The fuel tanks are wonky, the rust under the “art” can be seen without too much effort, the gauges are like my feelings, mixed, and who, in their right mind, ever thinks to cut out the switch panel? The pic of the RH door opening is priceless, but why is there a key ring hanging from the bottom door hinge? I feel sorry for the owner, because I think he got sucked into a bad deal, and is trying to dump it, while still trying to be somewhat honest about what is for sale, as evidenced by the number of close photos. It seems to me that someone (the “artist”?) has pieced together a sort-of body (and it looks like the car may have originally be an “S”, judging by the hydrolastic cover plate over the driver’s side tower hole) using bits from 2 or 3 other rust-buckets, and the seller got caught. The hood is not closed because it appears that there in not a hope in Hades that it will ever fit the opening. This thing is looking for a well-heeled, and skilled, buyer with a lot of love for “S”s.