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BMC Austin Cooper S MK2 1275cc — 1968

Genuine Cooper S originally sold new in Sweden in 1968. The last model with external door hinges and sliding windows. Here with vibes from the 1980s Mini scene.

Mathias Casserlund
Besiktningsman
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Christoffer Ahlborg
Case manager
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"The test drive turned out to be a challenge. The undersigned's girth made it impossible to fit behind the wheel—several attempts were made, all in vain. After finally squeezing into the co-driver’s seat, the owner had to take the wheel for the inspection run. However, she had never driven the car before.

Given the circumstances—not to mention the wide tires and low air pressure—the result was still quite revealing. There’s real potential here! However, this is not a car for calm and leisurely trips to the grocery store; it puts the driver’s mechanical instincts to the test."

COUNTDOWN
CURRENT BID
26 JUNI 15:30
0SEK
LOT NUMBER
LOCATION
17928
KARLSTAD
ESTIMATED VALUE
RESERVE PRICE
140 - 160 000 SEK
Not reached
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Mathias Casserlund
Inspector
Send message
Christoffer Ahlborg
Case manager
Send message

"The test drive turned out to be a challenge. The undersigned's girth made it impossible to fit behind the wheel—several attempts were made, all in vain. After finally squeezing into the co-driver’s seat, the owner had to take the wheel for the inspection run. However, she had never driven the car before.

Given the circumstances—not to mention the wide tires and low air pressure—the result was still quite revealing. There’s real potential here! However, this is not a car for calm and leisurely trips to the grocery store; it puts the driver’s mechanical instincts to the test."

Description

A time capsule from the 1980s Mini craze, complete with a skyport, “falukorv” steering wheel, and welded body seams. According to the car’s first owner, it was imported directly from England in 1968 through contacts of Bosse Elmhorn. The current owner inherited the car from her father in 2024, and it has been in the family since 1979.

The late owner requested an extract from the National Archives in 1997 and managed to contact all previous owners he could find. He documented these interviews in a binder—it makes for fascinating reading. The binder also includes numerous old inspection reports from the Swedish vehicle inspection agency, the oldest dating back to 1973, along with a wealth of other documentation that comes with the car. See the photos for a selection of documents.

The car passed its last vehicle inspection in 2020 and, under current veteran car regulations, is exempt from periodic inspections.

Technical data

  • Year
    1968/1968 
  • Registration date
    1968-07-16 
  • Mileage
    13 486 km 
  • Registration Number
    ETL140 
  • Chassis Number
    1151018 
  • Kw / hp
    73 / 99 
  • Fuel Type
    Petrol 
  • Transmission
    Manual 
  • Interior finish
    Vinyl / Textile 
  • Colour
    Red 

Condition

  • Mechanical condition:

    1275 cc engine fitted with a Weber 45 carburetor. The choke cable is not connected and needs to be replaced with a longer one, which makes cold starts a bit stubborn. It’s clear that the engine has been tuned, although the exact modifications are unknown. According to the registration certificate, the car is approved for 73 kW, which corresponds to approximately 100 horsepower.

    This engine definitely prefers higher revs and runs rough at idle. The car hasn’t been driven since 2020 and will require a standard check-up and service. Adjustment of both the carburetor and ignition should be part of that. The gearbox required firm and deliberate handling to engage the gears properly.

    Converted to dry suspension. Equipped with an alternator and a negative-ground electrical system.

  • Interior condition:

    Strictly business—there’s nothing unnecessary or sound-deadening here. Roll cage, Corbeau GT rally seats, rally steering wheel, tachometer, steering drop kit, and a Paddy Hopkirk gas pedal. Also equipped with a range of VDO auxiliary gauges to monitor oil pressure, engine temperature, and more. The original Cooper S speedometer is still in place.

    A so-called Weber box has been fabricated to accommodate the carburetor and air filter. The horn and cabin fan are of uncertain functionality. The car currently lacks seat belts. The ignition switch is a bit stiff and should be looked over.

  • Exterior condition:

    At some point, a classic modification known as “deseaming” has been performed—meaning all the vertical seams in the car’s four corners have been welded together and the external seams cut away. The theory behind this is to reduce aerodynamic drag. This is a controversial modification among Mini enthusiasts.

    The paint finish is garage-level and gives the car a raw, racing character. In the 1980s, a skyport was installed, but the original roof panel was preserved in case someone wants to weld the opening shut again (see photo).

    The floor has been replaced with smooth metal panels, and the sills have also been replaced at some point. The driver’s door hinge has loosened slightly where it mounts to the front wing, causing the door to sag and require lifting to close properly.

    The grille has been replaced with a standard Mini 1000 version. Minilite wheels and tires were purchased new in 2017. The original Cooper S steel wheels are included separately.

  • General condition:

    A raw and unpolished machine that feels completely in tune with the times. This is all about going back to basics. There are plenty of meticulously restored BMC Minis out there, rebuilt down to the last nut and bolt. This car, however, should be improved with care and preserved in its current rough-edged, authentic condition.

MOT (tech. insp.)

Fordonsstatus: Avst 2020-07-10
Ursprungsbesiktning: 1968-07-16 (regbes) (Ombes:19860902)
Datum i trafik första gången: 1968-07-16
Senast godkända besiktning: 2020-05-06
Besiktnignsbefriad: Ja
Skattebefriad: Ja
Körförbud: Nej
Antal ägare: 8

Facts about the model

They were produced under the BMC umbrella under the names Austin and Morris, as well as the more luxurious versions Wolseley and Riley. This practice was known as “badge engineering,” since the cars were essentially the same apart from some nameplates and grille designs.

The first “Hundkoja” — or Mini, as it was known in the rest of the world — was introduced in 1959. It was revolutionary thanks to its smart, space-saving design developed by Alec Issigonis. His vision was to create a simple and affordable car with excellent road manners — and that’s exactly what it became.

One person who truly appreciated the Mini was John Cooper, who at the time ran a top-level Formula racing team. He was already using BMC engines in his race cars and knew their potential. An idea was born. John Cooper approached Alec Issigonis with a proposal to create a sportier version of the Mini. Issigonis was initially not interested at all — he saw the Mini as a car for the people, not as a racing tool.

Nevertheless, in 1961, John Cooper finally got his way, and an enlarged 997cc (57 hp) version of the original 850cc (37 hp) engine was developed. The new Mini Cooper was born. It received a different interior, front disc brakes, and a contrasting roof color.

A more performance-focused version was introduced in 1963 and produced in limited numbers — the Cooper S 1071cc, which also featured larger and stronger disc brakes. In 1964, a number of important changes took place. Three new engine versions were introduced: the Cooper S 1275cc, the Cooper S 970cc, and a more street-friendly 998cc engine for the standard Cooper.

The reason behind the variety of engines was the class divisions in motorsports, which were based on engine displacement. There were categories for cars up to 850cc, 1000cc, 1150cc, and 1300cc — and there was a Mini for each one.

Location and viewing Information

Location: Karlstad

For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:

Mathias Casserlund

mathias.casserlund@bilwebauctions.se

Pick up

Collection must take place before: 2025-07-10.

NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.

Auction information

General information about the condition of the vehicles .
  • At this auction, many vehicles have been included in car collections and have been stored (mothballed) for a long time. For this reason, they are described from a collector's perspective and may need technical reviews and maintenance service - oil, battery replacement, new tires, brake review, etc. - before they can be used. .
  • During the auction days information about a vehicle may be updated up to the day before the auction ends. When you bid at the end of the auction period - and also if you have made an earlier bid - we therefore ask you to read the descriptions carefully, in case something has been changed due to new information.
Important to know before placing your bids!
  • Once you have called in an item and the reservation price is reached we want you to deposit the entire purchase amount into our client funds account before retrieval can take place.
  • When you need to retrieve a called in object we want you to examine it carefully. If you consider that the item does not match our description you do not need to complete the purchase. In this case the deposited purchase sum and the entry fee are refunded.
  • If you do not examine the item on the spot the call charge will be debited, but you do not have to complete the deal.
  • If you make the entire purchase exclusively at a distance you have 14 days to cancel, but must return the item at your own expense.
  • Your shipping costs and other costs are not reimbursed when the right of withdrawal is exercised. Swedish court applies.
  • For items that have not been collected within 14 days storage costs may be charged.

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