With John Parnell's (1993) 'Original Mini Cooper and Cooper S' on my bookshelf, I was curious to see if this recent slim volume by the archivist of the Heritage Motor Centre could add anything new. It does, not least of which is the treatment of post-1990 Coopers. 'Essential Mini Cooper' has seven chapters and an appendix:
From Mini to Mini Cooper: The features of the Mini which began the automotive design revolution are reviewed, as are some of the more famous names who owned Minis. The efforts of Alec Issigonis to design a 'proper' small car to counter the bubble-cars of the mid-50's led to the development of the first Austin-badged production car in April 1959, with the Austin Seven and Morris Mini Minor launched in August of that year. John Cooper's involvement is now legend, leading to the development of the .997 Mini Cooper, released in Sept. '61. Photographs of the protoype Minis, interior and exterior photographs of early Coopers are included. in this 9 pp overview.Verdict: A succinct history of the many variations on the Cooper theme, with a good range if colour and b&w examples of the variants. A worthwhile adjunct to Parnellås book, but not a replacement. The two volumes share some information, which must be expected, but they are aimed at different audiences. If anything, they are complementary. The Parnell book is more systematic in intent, an identification guide, if you like, enabling the potential buyer or restorer of a Cooper or Cooper 'S' to determine if his or her intended vehicle has all the appropriate features - or if it really is a Cooper 'S'. The Clausager volume is more historical in intent - an overview of the evolution of the various Cooper models, their competitive 'abilities', the decline and rebirth of the Cooper. It's time frame also extends beyond that of the Parnell book, with details and technical specifications of Coopers up to the 1997 1.3i model. A dedicated Cooperphile will have both books on their bookshelf!The Mini Cooper (1961-69): Specifications of the first Austin and Morris Coopers are described. All were built at the Austin factory at Longbridge. Morris-badged cars are noted to have been marketed in Australia, while Austin-badged cars predominated in America. The text describes the engine, suspension and cosmetic changes which accompanied the Cooper through Mk I to Mk II in 1967.
The Mini Cooper S (1963-71): Modifications to the engine to give 1071 cc, and various changes for homologation, saw the Cooper S released in 1963, with two alternative engines, 970 cc and 1275 cc, available in March '64 to keep the car competitive in the 1000 cc class and also the 1300 cc class for rallying. Comparative prices are given as ukp568 for the 998 version, ukp695 for the 1071 and ukp750 for the 1275. Production and model changes through the Mk II 'S' (1967-70) and Mk III 'S' (1970-71) are detailed. Cease of production of the Mk III in June 1971 was the end of UK Coopers, although Coopers were still produced in Spain and Italy under contractual agreements. The 1275 GT remained as the successor to the Cooper 'S'. More than 100,000 Coopers had been built. This chapter has a nice selection of interior and exterior views of various Coopers, including those used by the Liverpool Police.
Mini Coopers in Competition: Some good action shots of Coopers in rallies (e.g. Monte Carlo), at track events such as Brands Hatch and Silverstone, plus views of the BMC Competitions Department at Abingdon. Accompanying text details the exploits of Aaltonen, Hopkirk, Makinen and other noted Cooper drivers.
Mini Coopers World-Wide: An overview of Cooper production in three of the overseas markets:
BMC (Australia) commenced Cooper production in 1962 with Longbridge-sourced CKD kits, continuing through to 1964 with about 4000 .997 and .998 cars shipped. All were badged Morris, with rubber cone suspension. Shipping resumed in 1965, with the Mk I Cooper 'S' assembled in part from Longbridge CKD kits and some local pressings...the hydrolastic pipes were clipped into channels in the floor pressing, with longitudinal cover plates. 3/4 wind-up glass and opening quarter vents also were introduced. Mk II 'S' production began in 1969, with the model retaining most of the features of the Australian Mk I - small tail-lights and rear glass, Mk I grille, external hinges, 3/4 wind-ups, door pockets, etc. When Cooper 'S' production ended in 1971, with the advent of the Clubman body shell, ca. 7500 Cooper 'S' models had been produced in Australia, in the ratio of approx. 2/3 Mk I, 1/3 Mk II. A couple of NSW Police Mk I 'S' cars are shown under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Innocenti in Italy made the Mini under licence from 1965, with a Mini Cooper version from March 1966. Local components, including panel pressings, were added to mechanicals from Longbridge, leading to many features unique to the Innocenti Coopers. An upgraded Mk I was developed in 1968, a Mk II later that year, with the 998 cc Mk III appearing in Oct. 1970. This model had 3/4 windups and opening quarter vents very similar to the Australian models. The Mini Cooper 1300 was released in 1972, and the 1300 Export in 1973. The distinctive features of these top-of-the line Innocenti Coopers are described and pictured. Bertone designed Mini hatchbacks released in 1974 proved too expensive compared to Fiats - Leyland Innocenti was liquidated in 1975.
Authi in Spain produced a 1275 cc Mini Cooper between Oct. '73 and the end of 1975, based on the Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300, but incorporating many Spanish components, and having a distinctive black vinyl roof. No production figures are provided for this model.
Mini Cooper Reborn: The resurgence of Mini popularity has been attributed to a strong advertising campaign instigated by the CEO of BL/Rover Group in 1986. The Mini was also becoming a 'cult car' in some overseas markets, particularly Japan. The success of aftermarket companies, particularly Cooper (tuning kits) and ERA (turbocharged Mini using the MG Metro Turbo 1275) induced Rover to launch a reborn Mini Cooper in 1990. 1650 of the RSP Mini Cooper ('Commemorative') were made in 1990, at ukp6995 followed by almost 20,000 'Mainstream' Mini Coopers from Oct '90 - Oct '91 at ukp6596. This chapter reviews the continuing success of the 90's Minis, although production has stabilized at around 20,000 cars a year, down from 46,000 in 1990. Around 75% of production is exported. Various models other than Coopers get a mention, e.g. the 1991 Lamm cabrio, and the subsequent factory-built 1992 Rover Mini Cabriolet. Mini Coopers once again were entered in European rallies. Then, in Jan. 1994, it was announced that the Rover Group would be taken over by BMW, who affirmed that Mini production would continue. The 1997 Mini Cooper sported a modified drive train, fuel injection, additional safety features and a suite of cosmetic changes, plus a remarkably extensive list of options and accessories with which Mini buyers could personalize their cars. The chapter concludes with an optimistic view of the new Mini planned for 2003.
The Mini Cooper Today: A four page review of the state of Mini Coopers today... the range of conditions in which they may be found, the problems of determining originality or authenticity, things to look for when purchasing a Cooper, problems of restoration, the difficulty in replacing obsolete parts, e.g. hydrolastic units, the current retro/nostalgia demand
Appendix: Production figures include a comparison of the discrepancies between BMC and those by Parnell, attributed largely to the large number of CKD export cars. Identification number series for UK cars are given, as are colour schemes, and technical specifications of the UK and Italian production models.
Review by Russ Shiel, Albury, NSW
Maintainer of '68 Oz Mk I 'S' #4732
[and 18 other Minis in various stages of recovery.]
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Copyright © 1998, Russ Shiel - validated (3.2s)