1972 Austin Mini Cooper Cooper S w/ Custom Built Engine by Bill Richards Racing

1972 Mini Cooper with a Custom Bill Richards Blueprinted and Polished Racing EnginePresenting a very unique and one-of-a-kind 1972 Mini Cooper, featured as the Cover Car in September 2000 edition of MiniWorld as well as several other publications documenting the impressive build by a young man in the UK who didn't skip a beat when it came to making sure this car was properly sorted, including a very special power-plant. The car was repainted by the original owner in “Lamborghini Blue and Fiat Red” and features a GRP Fiberglass and Kevlar de-seamed / de-bumpered Mini Sprint Shell Body, in the Stewart and Ardem shape provided by Gerry Hawkridge (Hawk Cars Ltd). This vehicle is currently registered in California, and resides in West Hollywood.The body has a GRP boot, bonnet and doors. The body side seams have been removed, the doors have been de-handled and are operated by a remote solenoid / hidden key under the car. The boot is also operated by a remote solenoid, as well as a remote locking system paired with an alarm system. The body features molded carbon fiber wheel arches. Front features an MK1 Style Grill, Halogen Head Lamps and TVR-style Backlit Number Plate.
Condition:
See photos of over $16,000 in recent receipts under current ownership.Since purchase and arrival in the USA from the UK, the vehicle underwent some initial maintenance (see receipts) but was only driven about 75 miles since purchased. The front hood/bonnet seems to need a retightening/adjusting but closes normally. There is quarter-sized cracking in the paint (See photos) on the front bonnet. The rear trunk hatch is best operated by a pully from the rear seat inside the car. Tires are practically new, as are the wheels. No smoke, drives incredibly well with a bit of torque steer from that engine, sticks to the road, sounds like a proper race car, seats are incredibly comfortable given the comparable options, front and rear bumpers clear all dips, and lastly the interior is a very nice place to be, showing almost no wear other than the steering wheel. Big sounds system, just upgrade the head unit. Passenger side window mechanism is not as fluid as it once was, may need an actuator. No rust, rattles or leaks whatsoever.Engine Specs:1071 Mini Cooper S Short Stroke 1150cc Bill Richards Build with a Decked A+ Block and an Ardem 8-Port Head Fitted with Cosworth Valves, Bronze Valve guides, iskendarian springs, piper Titanium Top Caps and 1.5:1 Roller Rockers – Compression 11:1. The engine has a modified 1071 S Polished Crankshaft, 73.5 Omega Pistons machined flat, 1071 S Rods, Custom Modified Steel Billet Camshaft, and Vernier Adjustable gears. The engine revs to 10,000 RPM.Performance:Aprox 130hp10k RPM*The build of this Mini was a long endeavor to create one of the fasted and most unique street versions.Transmission:PIN Differential Drive Ratio 4.1:!, AP Paddle Clutch, Ultra-light steel flywheel.Exhaust:Custom Built Maniflow Tubular Exhaust Manifold with Single Box Stainless Steel System.Suspension:New subframes front & rear, nylon bushes all around, adjustable front tie bars/ Spax Dampers.Brakes:8.4 “Vented Metro Turbo 4-pot Calipers at the front and Mini Drums at the rear with Cooper S shoes. Lines are copper brake piping and Aeroquip braided hoses.
Wheels/Tires:Superlite 8x13" silver alloy wheels, Tires are 8x13 BF Goodrich 215x50R13Interior:Rover Sterling leather Recaro electric and heated Leather Seats (wildly comfortable). The dashboard is handcrafted in color coded aluminum and is styled after the. Innocenti Dashboard and has working Innocenti Dials and a Cooper Sport alloy gear knob. Truly one-of-a-kind interior.
Sound/TV System:Pioneer Stereo Head Unit with Mac power amp, 12” Bose Sub-woofer in the boot, Bose 5” mids and liquid coated tweeters in the front and rear, for a total of 12 speakers. A 6-Disc CD Muti-changer under the rear seat which doubles a VCR for the 5.5 inch TV screen located in the center panel of the dashboard. A rear reversing camera which is located at the rear license plate also plays through the TV. All components are also operated via a remote control.
Walk-Around Video & Engine Revs:https://youtu.be/-6ftDSGtR8w