Not just any Mk 3 Mini Cooper S, this is believed to be the final ever registered in Britain...

Manor Park Classics
The North West's Only Fixed Venue Auction House for Classic Cars and Motorcycles
T: [phone]
E: [e-mail]
W: www.manorparkclassics.com
Manor Park Classics
Ikon House
Tudor Road
Runcorn
Cheshire
WA7 1TA

[@robertngreen6]

Ed's ultimate car, I think! Great review (and a lovely car!)

[@TwinCam]

I have to be honest - this is my dream car. Can you tell? 😅

[@stevenlever5325]

Fantastic sound

[@MrMkindy]

While the last Cooper in the UK, Leyland Innocenti Coopers went on until 1975...

[@chrishood5079]

Brilliant Video! Great work....

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Chris, very kind.

[@nygelmiller5293]

WHAT - a COOPER, "incognito" without so much as a WHITE roof to identify it! My friend Bill had an identical (standard) one in this lovely colour - and would be so jealous!

[@Graham-rc1cp]

That was an excellent bit of history, I was waiting for you to trip up on the details, like most (young) reviewers, however you got it all spot on 👍

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Graham, very kind of you.

[@bigphilswheels]

Great vlog Ed. However, correct me if I'm wrong, but hydrolastic suspension was only fitted to mk2 Mini's. On the mk3 they went back to rubber suspension. I've been around Mini's all my life, so I think I'm right. But please educate me if I'm wrong. Anyhow, 60 and still a nerd about them!👍 👍

[@johndavey72]

Father reputely had the first private Cooper in 1961 and promptly broke the Oddicombe Hill Climb record ! And broke the engine . His very good friend happened to be the dealer he bought the mini from so a warrenty claim was no problem !!! And you're correct about the suspension. Cheers !

[@Graham-rc1cp]

From memory the MK3 S and the first of the 1275GTs were both hydrolastic, despite the cooking models having reverted to dry suspension to cut costs

[@bigphilswheels]

Jus had a look at the photos on Manor Park Classics website and indeed it has hydrolastic suspension fitted. But I'd still say this was wrong. This car was rebuilt in the late 80's it says, so maybe they used mk2 subframes? Please correct me if I'm wrong. Cheers

[@TwinCam]

It’s a common misconception - though I really don’t understand why as Minis are so popular - but all Mk3 Ss had Hydrolastic. The basic version is that from ‘64 to ‘69, all Minis had Hydrolastic. When the Mk3 came in, the 850 and 1000 went back to cones while the more expensive Clubman, 1275GT, and Cooper S retained Hydrolastic until ‘71. The brochures all say Hydrolastic, the reviews still talk Hydrolastic, and at Mini shows, those three models I mentioned all have Hydrolastic. If you see an early Clubman-nose Mini, take a look under the bonnet. If it’s original, you’ll see the Hydrolastic pipes coming from the wheel wells.

[@TwinCam]

@@Graham-rc1cpAbsolutely right Graham - and early Clubmans retained it too!

[@johndavey72]

Hi Ed . It's a dirty job but someone has to do it ! 🤣 l think you do have a slight mix up regarding the suspension . I replied to bigphil . There's a story about fathers mini cooper . I trained at a multi marque dealership and one of our mechanics was a mechanic for the special tuning division of BMC . He was at Nuburgring looking after the works 970 's . These little hooligans were timed at over 120mph and revved to over 11,000 rpm !!!! ( rumoured to be 140 + mph ! ) and in the wet lapped the Porsche 917 's , an aircooled V12 producing 580 hp ! Cheers !

[@Graham-rc1cp]

The MK3 S retained the hydrolastic suspension, as did the first of the 1275GTs