1986 Austin Mini Mayfair (John Cooper Prototype) One off car

"the story as far as we know it....

From its peak of 318. 75 units in 1971. Mini production had dwindled to just 34. 74 by the end of 1985. The only market where there was still encouraging growth potential was in Japan. It was with this in mind that Cedric Talbot. President of Austin Rover Japan. approached John Cooper early in 1986 and asked if it is was possible to put the MG Metro engine into a Mini to produce a sports version. Whilst it was indeed technically possible. the powers at Rover were not interested because of the difficulties with gaining type approval both in the UK and Japan.

In spite of this setback. John Cooper needed little persuasion from Cedric Talbot to fulfil his original wish. and an MG Metro-engined Mini was soon on its way to Japan for evaluation. The car was C734 SWV and the management at Rover Japan showed great enthusiasm for it. but Talbot's request for a limited production run of 1. 00 examples was turned down by Austin Rover's chief executive. Harold Musgrove. who was planning to end Mini production altogether in March 1987. However. John Cooper had already been approached by other Japanese interests to produce conversion kits for 998cc Mini models. and it was this. coupled with Musgrove's replacement by Graham Day as Austin Rover's head. in late summer 1986. that was to prove to be the turning point in the Mini's fortunes. C734 SWV came back into play in 1988 when ERA made their formal presentation to Austin Rover in July of that year so its role in the Rover Cooper story should not be understated.

Finished in Targa Red. with a post-production white roof. matching white bonnet stripes extending across the windscreen scuttle. distinctive 'Cooper' body stripes and decals. and equally eye-catching white 5J x 12 alloy wheels. C734 CWV was the first 1275cc Mini Cooper prototype to come out of John Cooper's Ferring premises. The car features a ported and gas-flowed cylinder head fitted with enlarged valves. 35mm inlet and 29mm exhaust. an increased compression ratio. twin 1. 5 inch HS4 carburettors with K&N air filters. and a special three-branch exhaust manifold. Stopping power is aided by the addition of a Type 6 brake servo. with a high efficiency radiator. coupled with an oil cooler. which allowed the engine to cope with the demanding summer temperatures in Japan. Inside the car. the only clue to its sporting underpinnings is the Cooper-badged Moto-Lita steering wheel.

With such extensive improvements to its engine breathing C734 SWV was in many ways a forerunner of the engine conversion that John and Michael Cooper would eventually offer customers from 1991 onwards. At 85+ bhp and a top speed of over 100 mph. here was proof of what could be achieved out of the humble 1275 A+ engine.

C734 SWV was sold on by John Cooper Garages in March 1989 and in recent years has belonged to Michael Standring of Wood & Pickett fame. Immaculate inside and out. the car has been well looked after but has seen very little use down the years. Here's hoping it finds another good home soon. It certainly deserves it. "

John Parnell is a well respected motoring journalist and Rover Cooper Register expert for the Mini Cooper Register.

The Mini can be viewed in the UK . Photos available upon request

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