1968 Morris Mini Cooper S Mk II
1968 Morris Mini Cooper S Mk II
This 1968 Morris Cooper S (ORX 76F) is an exceptional Works Replica with an outstanding provenance linked to British Leyland motorsport history. Despatched originally as a standard Cooper S on 4th November 1968, the vehicle was acquired in May 1996 by Basil Wales, the legendary former manager of the BL/BMC Special Tuning department at Abingdon, who secured the highly coveted, period-correct registration ORX 76F. Over the following decade, Wales meticulously sourced an extensive collection of genuine ex-Works and period competition parts to create a tribute to the famous 1968 Monte Carlo Works car, ORX 77F.
The car was then sold to Monte-Carlo Historique entrant Anthony Hart in 2006, who commissioned the renowned marque specialist Simon Drew of The Mini Works to finalise the build to an exacting, high-performance standard, which was completed in 2008. After campaigning the car in the 2010 Mini Cooper Register Monte event, Hart sold the vehicle to Francois Windeck of Auto-BMC, from whom it passed to the MCR Beaulieu Cup winner Paul Burns in 2016, who preserved it in a purpose-built facility in Northern Ireland. The current vendor purchased the car in December 2022 to use at MCR events shows. Maintained with the singular purpose of seeing the car back into full operation and use, the vehicle has received significant recent mechanical and cosmetic refinement totalling over £10,000. This includes comprehensive recommissioning and MoT works by Annings Race and Restoration in 2023, meticulous event preparation and post-event servicing by KMK Automotive (incorporating a fully rebuilt Distributor Doctor unit), and a major engine and transmission optimisation program by Crafted Classics Tuning in the summer of 2025 costing £5,435. Reflecting this superb condition, Lancaster Insurance confirmed an agreed value of £65,000 in January 2026. Crucially, the car is accompanied by irreplaceable history files containing all historical records, technical literature, published articles, and the complete personal archive of Basil Wales (relating to the car) kindly handed over by his son Brian in 2023. There is also a good collection of rally plates showing where the car has taken part in various tours and events. Mechanically, the vehicle is specified to a formidable standard, featuring a Cooper S thick-flange engine block bored to 1330cc utilising Omega squeeze-cast pistons, a reground crank, balanced rods, a 285 Piper camshaft, and an MED-modified 12G940 head with unleaded inserts. Fuel is delivered via period correct split Weber 45DCOE carburettors on an MG stamped inlet manifold and a John Lloyd Works-replica exhaust system. Electrical updates include a bespoke wiring loom, a Lucas 11AC alternator with a large pulley, Lucas 6RA/22RA relays, an adjustable two-speed wiper motor, and a capillary temperature gauge. Power is sent to the road through a Cooper S four-synchro manual gearbox fitted with straight-cut ratios, straight-cut transfer gears, and a four-pin differential with a 3.44:1 ratio driving via Cooper S driveshafts and Hardy Spicer metal inner joints. The chassis is engineered for event and energetic driving longevity, boasting Lockheed 7.5-inch front disc brakes, drilled rear drums, a dry rubber cone suspension system with Koni yellow dampers, negative-camber lower front arms, and Hi-Lo adjusters. The car is supplied with two complete sets of wheels comprising five 5x10-inch offset gold wheels with SP Sport R7 tyres and a spare set of 4.5x10-inch offset silver wheels with Dunlop CR65 tyres. Visually, the restored 1968 Mk. II shell is finished in iconic Tartan Red and White, enhanced by Group 2 arches, front and rear quick-lift brackets, a half-length sump guard, skidded subframes, mudflaps, Lucas European headlamps, a reversing lamp, and a Special Tuning lamp bar carrying Lucas fog and driving lamps.
The cockpit is a masterclass in period rally execution, dominated by a full-width dashboard housing a Halda Twinmaster trip meter, Heuer Monte Carlo chrome Mastertime clocks, a 10,000rpm Smiths tachometer, a 130mph speedometer, and a navigator's switch panel mounted in the door. Safety and comfort are managed by an Aleybars 3-point roll cage, Luke harnesses, a heated front screen, and Minisport driver and navigator bucket seats. Also included in the sale are a driver's Works style bucket seat and a fully reclining navigator's seat. Fed by twin fuel tanks through internal lines and Lucas pumps hidden under the rear seat, this meticulously prepared and documented Cooper S represents a rare opportunity to acquire a turn-key classic rally replica with direct links to Abingdon management royalty. Consigned by James Good
Lot details
Year: 1968
Make: Morris
Model: Mini Cooper S MKII
Registration: ORX 76F
Chassis No: KA2S61187244A
Engine No: 9FSAY51059
Odometer: 21,682
* Exceptional competition prepared Works replica
* Superb history and condition
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