A superb and rare photo of the works Mini Cooper
1071 S during the extraordinary heavy 1964 edition of the Monte
Carlo Rally which was ridden between January 17TH and
The name Mini did not appear by itself immediately — the first models
being marketed under two of
Issigonis' friend John Cooper, owner of the Cooper Car Company and designer
and builder of Formula 1 and rally cars, saw the potential of the Mini for competition. Issigonis
was initially reluctant to see the Mini in the role of a performance car, but
after John Cooper appealed to BMC management, the two men collaborated to
create the Mini Cooper, a nimble, economical and inexpensive car. The Austin
Mini Cooper and Morris Mini Cooper debuted in 1961. The original 848 cc engine
from the Morris Mini-Minor was increased to 997 cc, boosting power from 34 bhp
to 55 bhp (25 to 41 kW). The car featured a racing-tuned engine, twin SU
carburettors, a closer-ratio gearbox and front disc brakes, uncommon at the
time in a small car. One thousand units of this version were commissioned by
management, intended for and designed to meet the homologation rules of Group 2
rally racing. The 997 cc engine was replaced by a shorter stroke 998 cc unit in
The Mini Cooper S earned acclaim with Monte Carlo Rally
victories in 1964 (year of the
photo!), 1965 and 1967. Minis were initially placed first, second and
third in the 1966 rally as well, but were disqualified after a controversial
decision by the French judges. The disqualification related to the use of a
variable resistance headlamp dimming circuit in place of a dual-filament lamp.
It should be noted that the Citroën DS that was eventually awarded first place
had illegal white headlamps but escaped disqualification. The driver of the
Citroën, Pauli Toivonen, was reluctant to accept the trophy and vowed that he
would never race for Citroën again. BMC probably received more publicity from
the disqualification than they would have gained from a victory - but had the
Mini not been disqualified, it would have been the only car in history to be
placed in the top three on the
The Mini
is a small car that was produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its
successors from 1959 until 2000. The most popular British-made car ever, it was
superseded by the new MINI, which was launched in April 2001. The original is
considered an icon of the 1960s, and its space-saving front-wheel-drive layout
(that allowed 80% of the area of the car's floorpan to be used for passengers
and luggage) influenced a generation of car-makers. The vehicle is in some ways
considered the British equivalent to its German contemporary, the Volkswagen
Beetle, which enjoyed similar popularity in
The Monte Carlo Rally
(officially Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo) is a rallying event organized each
year by the Automobile Club de Monaco who also organize the Formula One Monaco
Grand Prix. The rally takes place along the French Riviera in the Principality
of Monaco and southeast France. From its inception in 1911 by
This rally features one of the most famous special stages in the world. The stage is run from La Bollène to Sospel, or the other way around, over a steep and tight mountain road with many hairpin turns. On this route it passes over the Col de Turini, which normally has ice and/or snow on sections of it at that time of the year. Spectators also throw snow on the road — in 2005, Marcus Grönholm and Petter Solberg both ripped a wheel off their cars when they skidded on snow probably placed there by spectators, and crashed into a wall. Grönholm went on to finish fifth, but Solberg was forced to retire as the damage to his car was extensive. The Turini is also driven at night, with thousand of fans watching the "Night of Turini", also known as the "Night of the Long Knives" due to the strong high beam lights cutting through the night.
This is a very nice and very rare non period photo that reflects a wonderful era of
Mini ‘s and the Monte Carlo Rally ‘s automotive history in a wonderful
way. This is your rare chance to
own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca.
8" x 12" (ca. 20 x
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.