SMALL SOLDIER

This early Mini Cooper 'S' was built to contest the RAC Rally in '63, and BMC's sporting and cultural icon has lost none of its charm or verve

- SIMON CHARLESWORTH

The bolted-in rollcage shivers as you drive. It is the same cage that, along with the vinyl bucket seat's determined side bolsters, made entering this Morris Mini Cooper ‘S’ feel like squeezing between a rock and a hard place. It's just one element of this old rally car's frenetic and enjoyably uncouth driving experience.

Friendly waves, wide smiles and flashing headlights are another. As is the scale disparity between what was deemed sufficient in 1959 to transport a family and today’s interpretation of the same requirement. Its famous red-and-white British Motor Corporation Competitions Department colours not only help make this Lilliputian tearaway stand out from all those grey giants, but also give you a better chance of being seen and not squashed. Hopefully.

Inside chassis K/A2S4/384848 - this is a very early Cooper ‘S’ built for the 1963 RAC Rally - and immersed in the A-series’ gruff vocals and gear whine is a black, crackle-finished Comps dashboard peppered with Smiths instruments and toggle switches. The latter are marked with Dymo-tape labels, one of which displays the 6500rpm rev limit next to the 0,000rpm tacho. There are still the cracked and faded remains of the Mini’s road trim, but they have been largely replaced by the necessities of rallying.