LONDON.- An amazing find – a rare 1965 Almond Green ‘1071’ Mini Cooper S with just 39,141 miles from new and 56 years in the same ownership has just emerged from 30 years in hibernation. When new it cost £778.

This British icon is a much-loved family friend which is finally back on the market for the first time in almost six decades – for sale with Classic Car Auctions on September 24 for an estimate of £28,000 - £32,000.

The 1071cc MK1 Cooper S was the First Cooper S produced by BMC, and the first of the Minis to succeed at the Monte Carlo Rally. Like all versions of the original Mini Cooper S, the 1071cc is a highly desirable car. This one is a UK-supplied, right-hand drive car.

Richard Greenhalgh who consigned the car for Classic Car Auctions, says: “The vendor from near Kidderminster is in his 80's now. Of course, when he bought the Mini Cooper it was quite a car in its day. He told me he could have had an E-type Jaguar at the time but decided on the Cooper S '1071' as he wanted to go on a trips with the car, with possibly two or three passengers and back then he felt the Cooper S was more practical than the E-type.”

“This image above is of the car emerging from the shed where it has been stored for the last 30 years at the vendor’s home.”

The car has its original Passport to service book too. An original, UK-supplied, right-hand drive, 1071S in Almond Green with an Old English White roof it still has its original interior in Dove Grey and Porcelain Green Vinyl with Cumulous Grey carpets.

Originally purchased by a BMC employee on a company discount scheme and not kept for long and then passed to its current owner since 1965, some 56 years current ownership and indicating a believed genuine 39,144 miles from new.

An MOT Certificate accompanies the car issued October 1986 at 39,031 miles, so the car has travelled 113 miles since then.


It's accompanied by its original 'Passport to Service' and a tax disc (31.3.1988) thought to be the last time the car was used on the road.


All identification numbers are genuine, correct and original. The registration number is original too.

It was treated to Slick 50 and a complete Waxoyl prior to being put into storage. The car rolls but has not been started, and no attempt has been made to start it since coming out of hibernation.


Classic Car Auctions would recommend interested parties come along to Auction viewings and satisfy themselves as to what may or may not need doing to get this little Cooper back on the road.

The CCA catalogue for the September 24th sale with the first ten cars consigned is available on this link.