Manufactured in 1966, 850926 has the distinction of being a
Works Mini Cooper S and campaigned from 1966 through to 1968 in some of
the greatest rallies piloted by two of the greatest names in Rallying
history.
In 1966, 850926 first Works outing was at the 27th Alpine
Rally in early September with Timo Makinen at the wheel and Paul Easter
carrying out co-driver duties but due to head gasket issues it was
forced into an early retirement. Rally legend Paddy Hopkirk took the
wheel for the RAC rally on the 19th November 1966. No fewer than seven
works Mini’s lined up for the start and was the biggest entry for the
Abingdon team. Hopkirk was unlucky – he was the leading British driver
until he overshot a junction on a stage, reversed back and the
transmission broke ending his rally.
The following year Timo Makinen piloted the car at the
Swedish rally but was forced to drop out on only the second special
stage with brake trouble. In
1968 Hopkirk was again behind the wheel for the Circuit of Ireland,
Hopkirk set very quick times from the start but was suffering with
overheating problems, although not serious he was to retire with a
broken differential on the Lough Eske stage. Later in the year, the car
was fitted with an auxiliary radiator to help with the overheating and with Lars Ytterbring who put
in a fine performance on the Scottish rally by finishing runner up to
Roger Clarks Escort. This was the last time the car was used in anger
but was subsequently put to good use as a publicity car with Paddy
Hopkirk promoting the use of seatbelt safety with the then Minister of
Transport Barbara Castle.
After the cars time in the limelight it was sold to Mr R
Lawrence in late1968 followed by the ownership of Mr Simon and
subsequently in 1978 it was exported to Switzerland into the ownership
of Mr Fisher before passing into the current owner’s hands that has had
the privilege of owning the car for more than 30 years.
During this time the car featured in the August 1984 German
magazine ADAC Motorwelt with German rally legend Walter Rohrl driving
the Cooper S and comparing it to an Alpine A110 and an Audi Quattro. A
copy of Mini by Rob Golding is supplied with the car and features
850926on page 102 which is signed by Rohrl after the magazine photo
shoot. 850926 was invited to the 1984 Mini Cooper Club of Great Britain
International Cooper day with 850926 getting a particular mention in the
August edition of Classic and Sportscar as it came all the way from
Switzerland.
The car has been in storage for the last few years but
retains much of its patina. The interior boasts bucket seats with race
harnesses and a hap-hazard array of rocker switches marked with Dymo
tape on a patinated mat black dash to reduce dazzle. In front of the
co-driver a Halda Speedpilot sits alongside fuse boxes and brackets for
stop watches.
The original carpet on the drivers wheel arch, covers
internally routed rear brake pipes in order to protect them from stone
damage; a five point roll cage with central rear bar protects the
occupants. The rear C-posts feature old rivets that secured a wire loop
to retain a loose fuel cap. The bonnet and boot both have leather
retaining straps while the front off side wing features an electrical
plug and brackets within the grill for mounting extra driving lights.
It’s last UK tax disc before heading to continental Europe
is still displayed on the windscreen and is dated March 1977 with the
registration number 850926 written by hand and stamped at the Torbay
licensing office which ties in with the Torbay Motor Club window
sticker. The car is on the button and drives well.
850926 is supplied with a copy of the ADAC Motorwelt
magazine, various publications that feature the car, including the
aforementioned Mini by Rob Golding, The BMC/BL Competitions Department
by Bill Price and The Works Minis by Peter Browning as well as original
Service Parts List file and many photographs of the car.
Due to the car retiring from many of the rallies on minor
mechanical issues it competed in, it has resulted in a car of matchless
quality, patina and provenance and perhaps unique in this respect. It is
truly a fantastic example of the most famous rally car of all time with
BMC Works provenance that campaigned in some of the era’s greatest
rallies. 850926 is a time warp car and is eligible for a plethora of historic race and rally events across the globe.
Please note the registration number JMO 969D is not currently assigned to 850926 and will need to be re-applied to the DVLA.
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