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This 1964 Austin Cooper S is the last 1071cc engine Cooper S built. This car had special options installed including oil cooler, 4.5 inch rims, locking gas cap, sump guard, and close ratio gearbox for the purpose of rally and racing. There were 2,135 Austins manufactured and an overall production of 4,031 during 1963 and 1964. The 1071 cc Cooper ‘S’ was launched before the 970 and 1275 cc versions. In 1964, Paddy Hopkirk drove a 1071 Cooper S to victory at the Monte Carlo Rally. By 1980 it was owned by an editor of Autoweek magazine where it appeared on the cover story that compared the Cooper S to the latest hatchback, the VW Rabbit.This car was found languishing in a garage in NC and I fully restored to its original production specification, look, and feel. NOS parts were used when available and all proper weld points recreated in the exact position for any body repair. Correct and refurbished OEM hardware was retained including correct cylinder head bolt head markings. In addition, proper stenciling was used to create factory markings on the areas such as the fan belt, heater, oil cooler, sub-frames, and suspension parts.The historical significance of the Mini in general and the Cooper S in particular is significant and with us even today. The Mini was built in response to the Suez Canal oil crisis to provide ‘proper’ transport to the masses economically and in comfort. Alec Issigonis’ design brief required that 80% of the volume of the car be for passenger use. It was the first mass produced transverse mounted front wheel drive car which is a design that dominates cars even today. In 1999 the Mini was voted as Car of the Century in Europe and second behind the Model T for Car of the Century. Some technical advancements associated with the car that are worthy to mention include the use of engine on sump, CV joints, front disc brakes on a small car, four wheel independent hydrolastic suspension, external welded construction, and unitized body. With the support of John Cooper and the BMC Works race team the standard Mini was finally transformed into the Cooper and then the Cooper ‘S’. In Cooper S form it went on to win numerous races over larger and more powerful competitors in both rallying and road racing. For example it won the 1964, 1965, 1967 Monte Carlo Rally and the 1961, 62, 69, 78 BTCC and 1964 European Touring Car championship among many others including SCCA racing in the US.