1964 Austin Mini Cooper S Mk I by Radford

The most expensive way to improve a Cooper S back in the day was to hand it to Harold Radford and Co. to convert it to Mini de Ville S specification – and if that wasn’t profligate enough, you could ask Downton to weave its magic too.

The list of alterations is in the history file, but rest assured they were comprehensive, luxurious, and very well designed – as well they might be because the firm charged a staggering £8,595 for the completed car, which is the equivalent of £160,000 today.

The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust confirms this Austin Cooper S was built as a right-hand drive car for export, and that its factory equipment included a heater, a laminated windscreen, an ARA222 exhaust system, twin petrol tanks, an oil cooler, a sump guard, and Dunlop tyres on 10-inch wheels.

Restored ‘Stateside at great expense after a lifetime in California, the result is a car that might have been renovated a couple of years ago rather than a decade.

It returned to the UK in 2022 to form part of a discerning classic car collection, and is being offered for sale with a very sensible reserve.

The car has been resprayed in Tartan Red with a black roof, its BMIHT-confirmed factory colours. Painted to a good standard in America, we can’t find any signs of runs, overspray, orange peel, or other giveaways that it was done on the cheap.

The paintwork is also holding up very well; while red is notorious for fading in the sun, this example remains bright and vivid with an excellent shine. 

The genuine Minilite alloy wheels are in fine fettle too with no scuffs, scrapes, or other kerbing damage. They’re also finished off with reproduction Radford-branded centre caps, which is a lovely touch.

The wheels are fitted with a matching set of 165/70R10 Yokohama A-008 Advan HF tyres. All have good tread left on them but as they were made in 2012 and 2013, they will need to be replaced.

Nevertheless, we will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. 

The headlamps are reproduction Lucas PL700 units, and the driving lamps are from the same firm. Other noteworthy features include the rare and highly desirable MKI rear lights, plus the additional B-pillar parking lights that formed part of Radford’s changes. 

The front and rear bumpers have additional chromed rails on their corners too, and chrome trim has been added above the bonnet and along the top of the Mini’s flanks. 

The roof-mounted aerial, another Radford feature, is in situ.

The replacement Webasto roof slides fore and aft smoothly and seals tightly. Its material is still free of rips and tears, and it is set in a good, polished metal frame. The inner headlining has a couple of small stains, but it is otherwise in good order and the smoked Perspex screen you see acts as a wind deflector when it’s fitted.

The front quarterlights open as they should, and the rear windows pivot along a lengthy hinge on their leading edge. The sills and front wings boast Harold Radford plates, and a Downton badge on the boot proclaims the mechanical changes. 

Our examination of the coachwork revealed light pitting and tarnishing to the bright Radford trim at the base of the windscreen and along the top of the doors and rear wings. We also see small chips to the bonnet, and the boot lid and its surrounding panel. The nearside mirror has a small dent in it too, as does the boot lid.

The driver’s door has dropped on its hinges and is rubbing along the rear aperture, something that’s also been an issue with the nearside door. We also note a chip and some touched-up paint to the driver’s door, plus an area of rough paint on the top of the offside front wing.

Finally, the offside lamp is wonky and its reflector is tarnished. 

While the changes to the exterior were relatively discreet, the interior is clearly several rungs above a standard Mini’s with soft tan leather having been used to trim the reshaped Radford front seats as well as the rear seat, the door cards, the rear quarter trims, and the rear wheelarches. 

It has also been used to create door straps and a padded central armrest/cubby, and to bind the edge of the carpets, carpets that also extend onto the door cards, as per Radford’s design. All are in an excellent condition, including both heel protectors, although we note the lower edges of the nearside door trim have been secured using screws.

A wood-rimmed Les Leston steering wheel sits in front of a reconfigured dashboard that has been fitted with an 130-mph Smiths speedometer and an 8,000-rpm Smiths tachometer in addition to smaller instruments that monitor fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure, battery voltage, and time.

The engine is provoked via a Paddy Hopkirk accelerator pedal, the gearbox stirred using a Cooper-branded wooden gearknob, the handbrake applied using a leather-wrapped handle, and the electric windows operated using chrome switches.

Speaking of which, the electric windows were sticking when the car was imported, so the seller paid Guzzlers Garage to have the channels removed, powdercoated, and refitted with new glass. They now work properly. 

Burr walnut veneer has been used to finish the top of the doors and the dashboard. This is in a very good condition with no peeling lacquer, chips to its edges, or cracks. 

In the unlikely event you get bored of listening to the engine and exhaust, you’ll enjoy using the period Blaupunkt CR-2002 radio-cassette player. A single speaker grille sits directly below it and chrome grilles are fitted into the front doors. The parcelshelf is fitted with larger, more modern speakers. 

The boot contains a full-size spare steel wheel plus an aftermarket jack and wheel brace. 

Everything we tested worked as it should, and the only cosmetic issue we can see is a drooping headlining on the rear pillars. 

While only the cognoscenti will appreciate the significance of the Downton badge on the boot, everyone, driver or passenger, will notice the extra power the 1,293cc engine and Weber carburettor conversion give.

Seven Enterprises Ltd. of Auburn, California rebuilt the 1,293cc engine between 2013 and 2014, during which the opportunity was taken to tweak the engine’s tune a little. 

So, in addition to installing hardened valve seats to allow the use of unleaded petrol, they replaced the rocker arms, valves, and springs while they were in there, and changed the camshaft to an Elgin 103.

Pierce Manifolds of Gilroy, California rebuilt the Weber 45 DCOE carburettor, and the water and oil pumps were replaced. 

Other modifications include:

• A heavy-duty radiator, which should be overkill for a British summer if it can cope with a Californian one
• An alternator conversion replaces the dynamo
• Pertronix electronic ignition replaces the old points-based system
• An electronic fuel pump, which features a cut-off switch, has been installed
• The engine now exhales through a Maniflow LCB stainless-steel exhaust manifold that ushers the exhaust gases into an RC40 stainless-steel exhaust system
• Spax adjustable front dampers have been fitted along with Quinton Hazell U-joints, adjustable front lower control arms, and adjustable radius arms.
• Alfin rear drum brakes supplement the standard front discs

A replacement four-speed synchromesh manual gearbox is also said to have been fitted.

The engine starts well and has impressive oil pressure. It revs with a suitably throaty roar too, and the exhaust note from the RC40 dual exhaust tailpipes is beautifully judged being sporty but not overly intrusive. 

The voltmeter reads low, even at higher revs. We don’t know whether this is the instrument or the alternator. 

The engine bay is very nicely presented; while there is scope for improving it still further if you enjoy doing that sort of thing – some of the smaller components are corroded, for example – we imagine most folk would be more than happy to just maintain it as it is.

Moving underneath, the underseal has started to flake off and crack in places, revealing what seems to be only minor corrosion in places underneath. 

It is otherwise in good order, and the Mini comes with a car cover and a few spare parts: Please see the photos for details of what’s included. 

As for its history, the American auction listing states: “The car was purchased by a friend of the seller in 1977 and was reportedly stored from 1986 until the seller's acquisition in 2013.” 

We understand it was then restored by its new American owner.

As it isn’t UK-registered, the Mini does not have an MoT certificate. However, HMRC has confirmed that all relevant duty and VAT has been paid, so registering it here should be straightforward.

The history file includes period adverts and a Radford price list, a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate, a reproduction tax disc, a copy of the book Story of Mini by Ben Custard, previous auction listings, and its State of California title. 

Probably the ultimate Mini Cooper S, it’ll come as no surprise to learn it’s got a price tag to match.

But then it benefits from expensive and complex Radford and Downton conversions followed by a life in the sun and a costly restoration – and let’s not lose sight of the fact that it’s a desirable early Cooper S in its own right.

Viewed in that light, our estimate of between £55,000 and £60,000 actually feels like good value, doesn’t it?

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.