Morris & Austin Mini Cooper Mk 1 & 2

This first Mini Cooper was launched in July 1961. It had been developed by the designer of the original Mini Sir Alec Issigonis, with racing driver and engineer John Cooper, who in 1959 had driven a prototype Mini to the Italian Grand Prix and had been greatly impressed by the car. It was initially produced with a 997cc version of the BMC A series engine which was fitted with twin SU carburettors, revised cylinder head, and an improved exhaust system. The car was also fitted with a close ratio gearbox, which had a remote gearshift, a higher axle ratio than the standard Mini and was fitted with front disc brakes. These Coopers were easily distinguishable from the standard models by the different front grille, two-tone paintwork, and on the Mk 1, two-tone upholstery - most of the Mk 2 cars featured black vinyl. All Coopers were fitted with 100mph speedometers as opposed to the 90mph units on standard cars. In January 1964 the 997cc engine was swapped to a BMC 998cc unit, and later the same year the rubber cone suspension was replaced by BMC's Hydrolastic system. The Mk 2 version of the Austin & Morris Mini Cooper arrived in October 1967, featuring among other cosmetic changes, a wider rear windscreen, and in 1968 an all synchromesh gearbox. Production of the Mk 2 Cooper ended in 1969.