Tyre Diameter: R10, Width: 145 | Cooper S MkIII 1275 1969 to 1971

Mini Cooper S MkIII 1275 1969 to 1971

The Downton developed Mini for racing and rallying. Built from 1969 to 1971.

The original standard tyre was a 145SR10 radial. There was also the option of a 165/70SR10 tyre on a wider wheel.

The Mini Cooper arrived in 1961; two years later the 70bhp Mini Cooper S was introduced with a revised Formula Junior cylinder block, bigger brakes than the regular Cooper, and wider (4.5-inch) wheels shod with radial tyres.

From February 1964 the Mini Cooper S was fitted with a 76bhp 1275cc engine and for those into motorsport a 970cc engine was introduced, eligible for races with a 1.0-litre limit. Just 963 of these were built before production ceased in April 1965.

Until October 1964 the Mini Cooper S was fitted with rubber cone suspension, but from this date there was a move to a Hydrolastic system. The cars still looked the same but in September 1967 the Mini MkII arrived with a redesigned grille and surround, bigger rear window and larger tail light clusters. An all-synchro gearbox was fitted from October 1968, then in March 1970 the Cooper S MkIII debuted with concealed door hinges, wind-up windows and monotone exterior colour schemes. The final Mini Cooper S was made in June 1971.