MODEL AND ENGINE RANGES
The Cooper model range is complex. The first 85mph, 997cc Cooper, complete with twin carbs, front discs, close-ratio gears and the posher trim of a Mini Super appeared in 1961 and ran through to 1967, gaining a 998cc engine in 1964 along with Hydrolastic suspension to replace the original rubber cones.
The 1071cc Cooper S, developed by tuners Downton, was thoroughly re-worked to give a freer-breathing 70bhp and 90mph. This was replaced in 1964 by the definitive 1275 model giving 75bhp, amazing torque and the possibility of up to 100mph. It really needed its bigger disc brakes and servo assistance. Both Cooper and Cooper S versions were available with either Austin or Morris badges; the Morris versions always out-sold the Austins for some reason, although they were identical apart from a few minor trim details.
Enter, in 1967, MkII versions of the Cooper and Cooper S. They shared the revised bodywork of the standard MkII Mini, which was basically a wider rear window and a new front grille. The Cooper 'S' gained twin fuel tanks from 1966, and concealed door hinges came in on the MkIII version in 1969. At that stage, the Austin/Morris identity of the cars was dropped and they simply became known as Minis.
The cars' 1971 demise came about after BMC's merger with British Leyland, because BLMC boss Lord Stokes wouldn't renew the agreement with John Cooper. His explanation was that the Cooper name depressed sales because of high insurance premiums; Stokes also argued that motorsport connections or competitive success made no difference to consumer car sales. Nearer to the truth, perhaps, was the BLMC was cutting back on its salaries to consultants such as John Cooper, and Cooper also earned a £2 royalty on every car sold...
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