If you could have any one , which would you pick?

[mickthemaverick]

I thought that the Cooper S came with either 970cc, 1071cc or (later) 1275cc engines. The 997 engine was fitted to the early Coopers and quickly replaced by the ubiquitous 998 engine.

As I remember the Mk1 Mini Cooper was launched with the 997cc engine, ugraded to 998 when the S was introduced with the 1071. Later the S was upgraded to 1275 when the Cooper moved up to the 1071. At the beginning the standard minis were fitted with the 848cc engine, I had a 1959 Austin Seven version in 1968, thus making the 997 Cooper a significant power upgrade. The one on Page 2, Jim's pick, is the standard Cooper not the S but it is of course a Mk1 Cooper which is why, I believe, Jim picked it!!

[Paul-R]

Yes, we're saying the same thing. The Cooper S started with the 1071 which was later upgraded to 1275. The 970cc engine was a homologation special option for sub 1 litre racing. The "standard" Cooper started with the 997 engine which was basically a long stroke version of the 848 engine. It was ridiculously undersquare and no use for high revs so was quickly superseded with 998 engine.

[CitroJim]

I thought that the Cooper S came with either 970cc, 1071cc or (later) 1275cc engines. The 997 engine was fitted to the early Coopers and quickly replaced by the ubiquitous 998 engine.

Indeed Paul, yes. That as always my understanding. The 997 was a bit of a short-lived compromise for the original Cooper to fit in with production line constraints, allegedly around the Churchill boring machines in use at that time. It was a bit of a long-stroke engine with small bores and concomitant small valves. Not really a performance engine at all.

The 1071 - which ultimately led to the 1275 - was much more of a performance engine with a big bore (relatively), short'ish stroke, bigger valves and much more open combustion chambers.

The 970 was an oversquare revver and only produced in small number for homologation purposes - the most desirable S to for me...

That an S should have a 997 seems a bit odd but then again a lot can happen to a car like that over the course of 60 years. Not that I'd pass it by - especially in white. My very first Mini was white. Just an ordinary 850 although it was a deluxe model

[mickthemaverick]

That an S should have a 997 seems a bit odd but then again a lot can happen to a car like that over the course of 60 years. Not that I'd pass it by - especially in white. My very first Mini was white. Just an ordinary 850 although it was a deluxe model

It's not an S Jim, but an original Austin Cooper

[CitroJim]

It's not an S Jim, but an original Austin Cooper

That resolves that then

[mickthemaverick]

Head scratching time again!!

https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/auction ... 0-Aug-2025

After much deliberation, and not wanting to keep picking the same car I have gone for this:

Spoiler: show

My choice

Details here

[CitroJim]

Gosh, that was a difficult one and like you Mick, I've gone for something a bit different this time and not my usual predictable go-to

The yellow Mini was so tempting but this other yellow machine stole my heart:

This one brings back some very special lusty teenage memories

Speaking of teenage lust, that Honda CB400-4 was a big two-wheeled temptation too I saw one, with a bright red tank, on Monday at our local Waitrose...

[Hell Razor5543]

I think I would have the DBS 6.

[Gibbo2286]

I see there's a 1937 Austin 10 like the one I mentioned in the 'what was your first car' thread. Same as mine except the colour, mine was all black.

[CitroJim]

I see there's a 1937 Austin 10 like the one I mentioned in the 'what was your first car' thread. Same as mine except the colour, mine was all black.

When I was a boy we had one mouldering away in the back garden. It was my plaything and a home for the chickens...

Although it was 60 years ago now I recall it was still fully functional and like the Austin Ruby that also lived in the garden, it would on occasion be taken for a little drive around the orchard...

[mickthemaverick]

Time for another brain scratching exercise, scroll past the memorabilia and start browsing from the orange MGB:

https://www.i-bidder.com/en-gb/auction- ... ore-a10105

[Hell Razor5543]

If I could fit into it, 229 (and a professional driving course, because I KNOW that is a car that needs proper knowledge to safely drive it the way it is meant to be driven).

[mickthemaverick]

I forgot to say this is my choice, possibly one of the best ways to dress a V8 and who doesn't love a V8?

https://www.i-bidder.com/en-gb/auction- ... 4f00c8d21e

[MattBLancs]

I forgot to say this is my choice, possibly one of the best ways to dress a V8 and who doesn't love a V8?

https://www.i-bidder.com/en-gb/auction- ... 4f00c8d21e

Good choice Mick, I've picked another "red + V8" option, very TVR Griffith - like but a rare "never heard of it"

Melling Wildcat

https://www.i-bidder.com/en-gb/auction- ... 4f00c8d21d

[CitroJim]

Wow It's an absolute no-brainer for me..

No prizes for second-guessing my choice: the 1071 Cooper S Almost my ultimate dream car That accolade goes to the 970 Cooper S

Shame this one's in a shade of green I intensely dislike... Still, nothing a few rattle cans won't fix My choice of colour would be Old English White White with a black roof...