1966 Morris Mini Cooper S Evocation
Hello, I am Cameron of Origins Classic Cars. I have been around A series engines and the cars they power for over 40 years now. I have raced them, rebuilt them and I understand them. I run around today in a 1967 MG Midget for instance. So, when one of my best friends asked me a few years ago to find him a top Mini Cooper S original or recreation my search led us to acquiring ETH 57D.
This stunning 1966 MkI Morris Mini Cooper S Evocation has been built to a standard and specification that far exceeds anything that actually left the production line back in period. Whilst it retains the original and correct MkI Cooper S detail in every way it has also benefited from some more subtle modern improvements primarily to the drive train and suspension. To this end, perhaps the phrase “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” would be quite apt for this special Mini. Having said that please don’t make the assumption that this is some harsh and hard to drive example, it’s not. In fact, its incredibly smooth, sure footed and fun to drive with plenty of tractable power from the fast road specification Paul Inch supplied power train.
ETH 57D was one mans labour of love that started just over 10 years ago. A project that was literally an “open cheque book” experience. Having been in the motor trade all his working life and now retired, to keep himself busy he wanted to build his ultimate Mini Cooper S. There was literally no expense spared and it tells from the beautiful condition we see ETH 57D in to this day.
The basis for this Cooper S project was an original 1966 MkI Morris Mini. The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate that accompanies the car, confirms that it was a RHD, Home Market, Super-de-Luxe model that left the factory on the 29th of April 1966. The shell was totally stripped of every “nut and bolt”, restored and completely repainted inside and out, Almond Green with an Old English White roof. The new interior is the correct colour scheme of duo tone, Porcelain Green/Dove Grey seats with grey carpets. Looking through the dozens of invoices that are in the large history file it is quite clear that pretty much every single item fitted to this Mini is new or at the very least professionally refurbished. The standard of finish and the level of engineering is quite exceptional throughout the whole car, including the underside.
Whilst arguably Swifttune is the most well-known Mini race engine builders here in the UK, Paul Inch is up there as one of the best performance A series engine builders as well. We have spoken to Paul and he remembers the car and the project as he was a personal friend of the builder. He confirms that the remit was to create the ultimate fast road engine for the car with no budget cap. There is an invoice for over £7,000 just for parts, not machining, or his labour, just parts. Needless to say, all the right “bits” are fitted to the engine, new gas flowed head, roller rockers, duplex timing chain, Cooper S pulley, new pistons, new flywheel assembly, ARP bolts, new crank, new carburettors to name but a few. The engine is bored out to 1293cc.
Paul also supplied new subframes and the suspension which is adjustable. He also supplied the Historic “rose petal” 10” wheels and the Dunlop SP Sport tyres fitted to them. The gearbox was also rebuilt by Paul. Some other new items fitted worth noting include the wiring loom, oil cooler, radiator, distributor with electronic ignition, fuel tanks, all the chromework, window and door seals, clutch and brake master cylinder, brake servo, brake lines with braided Aeroquip flexible pipes, light fittings, remote control gearbox extension, wiper motor, switch gear, and all the interior including the seat belts.
The pictures you see are current and if anything, ETH 57D looks better in real life and needs to be seen close up to be fully appreciated. The restoration and build has now had 5 years or so to settle and again its lovely to see that apart from some small signs of a limited use (2,500 miles) it’s still in restoration fresh condition. Which bodes well for the new owner and really validates the high standard of the original build.
The driving experience is everything you could hope for, the engine starts up easily with a subtle bark from the Maniflow LCB full exhaust system and settles down to a nice burble whilst you get some temperature in the engine. On the road, immediately it feels planted and sure footed, the ride whilst firm is not harsh, just right. The engine pulls beautifully and the torque is impressive. The steering is light and responsive as too the gearbox. The brakes, with servo fitted are powerful. It’s just the complete package really that looks right and goes as well as it looks.
ETH 57D comes with an extensive history file including a current red style V5c, two sets of keys, A British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate, dozens of invoices from the original build, some more recent invoices for maintenance and set up and a MOT certificate on completion of the rebuild in 2015 with just 11 miles on the clock. Now displaying 2,529 miles travelled some 10 years later. ETH 57D is Tax and MOT exempt.
£SOLD
This stunning 1966 MkI Morris Mini Cooper S Evocation has been built to a standard and specification that far exceeds anything that actually left the production line back in period. Whilst it retains the original and correct MkI Cooper S detail in every way it has also benefited from some more subtle modern improvements primarily to the drive train and suspension. To this end, perhaps the phrase “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” would be quite apt for this special Mini. Having said that please don’t make the assumption that this is some harsh and hard to drive example, it’s not. In fact, its incredibly smooth, sure footed and fun to drive with plenty of tractable power from the fast road specification Paul Inch supplied power train.
ETH 57D was one mans labour of love that started just over 10 years ago. A project that was literally an “open cheque book” experience. Having been in the motor trade all his working life and now retired, to keep himself busy he wanted to build his ultimate Mini Cooper S. There was literally no expense spared and it tells from the beautiful condition we see ETH 57D in to this day.
The basis for this Cooper S project was an original 1966 MkI Morris Mini. The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate that accompanies the car, confirms that it was a RHD, Home Market, Super-de-Luxe model that left the factory on the 29th of April 1966. The shell was totally stripped of every “nut and bolt”, restored and completely repainted inside and out, Almond Green with an Old English White roof. The new interior is the correct colour scheme of duo tone, Porcelain Green/Dove Grey seats with grey carpets. Looking through the dozens of invoices that are in the large history file it is quite clear that pretty much every single item fitted to this Mini is new or at the very least professionally refurbished. The standard of finish and the level of engineering is quite exceptional throughout the whole car, including the underside.
Whilst arguably Swifttune is the most well-known Mini race engine builders here in the UK, Paul Inch is up there as one of the best performance A series engine builders as well. We have spoken to Paul and he remembers the car and the project as he was a personal friend of the builder. He confirms that the remit was to create the ultimate fast road engine for the car with no budget cap. There is an invoice for over £7,000 just for parts, not machining, or his labour, just parts. Needless to say, all the right “bits” are fitted to the engine, new gas flowed head, roller rockers, duplex timing chain, Cooper S pulley, new pistons, new flywheel assembly, ARP bolts, new crank, new carburettors to name but a few. The engine is bored out to 1293cc.
Paul also supplied new subframes and the suspension which is adjustable. He also supplied the Historic “rose petal” 10” wheels and the Dunlop SP Sport tyres fitted to them. The gearbox was also rebuilt by Paul. Some other new items fitted worth noting include the wiring loom, oil cooler, radiator, distributor with electronic ignition, fuel tanks, all the chromework, window and door seals, clutch and brake master cylinder, brake servo, brake lines with braided Aeroquip flexible pipes, light fittings, remote control gearbox extension, wiper motor, switch gear, and all the interior including the seat belts.
The pictures you see are current and if anything, ETH 57D looks better in real life and needs to be seen close up to be fully appreciated. The restoration and build has now had 5 years or so to settle and again its lovely to see that apart from some small signs of a limited use (2,500 miles) it’s still in restoration fresh condition. Which bodes well for the new owner and really validates the high standard of the original build.
The driving experience is everything you could hope for, the engine starts up easily with a subtle bark from the Maniflow LCB full exhaust system and settles down to a nice burble whilst you get some temperature in the engine. On the road, immediately it feels planted and sure footed, the ride whilst firm is not harsh, just right. The engine pulls beautifully and the torque is impressive. The steering is light and responsive as too the gearbox. The brakes, with servo fitted are powerful. It’s just the complete package really that looks right and goes as well as it looks.
ETH 57D comes with an extensive history file including a current red style V5c, two sets of keys, A British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate, dozens of invoices from the original build, some more recent invoices for maintenance and set up and a MOT certificate on completion of the rebuild in 2015 with just 11 miles on the clock. Now displaying 2,529 miles travelled some 10 years later. ETH 57D is Tax and MOT exempt.
£SOLD