1963 Austin Mini Cooper 

'63 Austin Cooper (genuine) [in Covina, So. Calif.]

UPDATE (Aug. 31): The owner reports it should be headed to Wisconsin shortly. Will post as SOLD when it's a done deal.

More pics and details to follow...

The best deals on Minis are when owners have invested far more in the cars than they could ever recoup.

This extremely clean (genuine) '63 Austin Mini Cooper is a great example of one of those great deals, as it's selling for a fraction of what it would cost to build one just like it!

Basically, it's as close to a brand new 1963 Mini Cooper as you could ever get...

Fewer than 100 miles since a full, spare-no-expense restoration completed as a 14-year project by a skilled Mini enthusiast.

This Mini, finished in white w/ black roof, traditional Cooper colors, is a factory left-hand-drive (LHD) model powered by a twin-carb 998cc fitted to a transmission that's been upgraded to a "four-sychro," four-speed model (ie: to replace its original three-synchro, "crunchbox" type).

All in all, pretty much everything has been replaced with new.

High-quality lacquer paint. New (genuine) Minilites w/ Yokohama A008's, new chrome lugnuts and black aftermarket wheel arches (flares). New driving lights with relays, new chrome bullet mirrors. New window rubbers and chrome lock strips. New weatherstripping throughout, including new door seals.

New Morris Cooper "moustache" grille with new whiskers. (Morris Cooper grille has fewer and wider "slats" than Austin Cooper version). New Cooper door surrounds and new bumpers.

Interior:

New custom black leather upholstery, including new custom black headliner and visors, all with contrasting orange piping. New Wilton wool carpets. New aftermarket custom dash with added Smiths voltmeter (original dash parts included). Has proper Cooper (100mph) speedo. Aftermarket steering wheel and tach. New alloy door-bin finishing strips and kickplates. Alloy Paddy Hopkirk-style accelerator pedal. Extensive Dynamat soundproofing throughout, including the floors, doors and rear sides.

Underneath:

Front disc brakes upgraded to Cooper "S" (7.5" diameter vs. 7" for stock 997/998 Coopers), along with alloy four-pot calipers. Rear drums upgraded to finned alloys w/ all new brake components. Braided stainless lines throughout. New wheel bearings, ball joints and steering components such as rod ends. New shocks front and rear. New LHD steering rack.

Engine:

Engine and new rebuilt trans have fewer than 100 miles. Engine bored .40 over, with new pistons, bearings, oil pump, cam and lifters, timing chain, water pump, valves and springs. New flywheel, clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearing.


Under bonnet:

New wiring loom, fuse block, solenoid and voltage regulator. New brake light switch. Starter, generator and radiator professionally rebuilt. Brake master cylinder is the taller, Cooper S-type "bean can." New brake lines. Clutch master and slave cylinder are either NOS or rebuilt. New heater valve; all new belts and hoses throughout. Twin SU carbs rebuilt with all new shafts, needles and seats. Aftermarket performance exhaust system with new stainless muffler and center-exit tip.


And more:

Has correct VIN for a factory LHD Cooper: CA2S7L-2398[*][*].

This is a genuine "Cooper," not a "lookalike," "wannabe," "replica" or "clone."

The highly polished lacquer paint done 12 years ago still looks new, as it has always been inside and covered. Shines just as if fresh. During the body restoration, some new front and rear panels were fitted, along with a section of the spare tire well; the battery box also shows repairs. The boot floor and battery box were then undercoated (as pictured). Floors and other common areas for rust are solid. Subframes were removed, blasted and refinished.

To be finished off:

Some minor sorting-out needs to be completed; Call for updates on what's already done. (ie: wiper switch needs replacing, heater box installation isn't yet completed, original chrome latches for sliding windows need refurbishing, steering wheel cap misplaced, interior A-post upholstery needs fitting; needs spare, jack and lug wrench, etc.)

Background:

This '63 Cooper is a Mk1 Mini (ie: built between 1959 and mid-1967). As such, it has the traditional Mk1 features that include the distinctive moustache grill, external door hinges and sliding windows, small oval taillights and the unique license plate holder that flips down when bootlid is open (ie: allowing boot to remain open if stuffed with luggage for the four full-size adults that can be seated inside!). Another unique Mk1 feature is a flashing little green light on the end of turn indictor stalk.

The Mini "Cooper" differs from the basic Mini in a variety of ways. Under the bonnet, there is a factory high-performance, twin-carb 997cc or 998cc engine in place of the standard Mini's 850cc. The Cooper brakes are 7"-diameter discs, versus drum brakes on the standard Mini. Externally, the Cooper and Cooper "S" (ie: with larger engine) models had contrasting-color roofs, typically red, black or white, depending on the body color. While basic Minis had door frames painted steel, Coopers were fitted with stainless surrounds. Coopers came with rear side windows that pop out for extra ventilation, while some base-model Minis had fixed windows. Often on base Minis, a heater was optional, but not on the Coopers. (There are other differences and exceptions too, but that's best left to the experts to explain and expand upon. A number of good reference books are widely available).

Bottom Line:

All in all, as mentioned, this Mini is as close to a brand-new '63 Cooper as you could get. We don't expect this one to be available for long!

Dollar-for-dollar, this Mini Cooper - like few other cars - will generate more looks, smiles, and "thumbs-ups" than you'd get in any other. Get used to the attention - because you will get a lot!

A problem:

For the most part, the biggest problem you are likely to have is figuring out how to wipe the silly grin off your face when you get where you are going!

Currently located in Covina, not far from Pasadena in Southern California. [ID# WTCOOP63]. Nationwide transport available.

Asking $13k (a fraction of what's been invested in it!)

Contact Information

MiniGuy / Lewis Motors (805) 405-6263 Agoura Hills CA