BMC
BMC works Cooper S rally cars

Why it matters

The BMC works Mini Cooper S rally cars were the factory cars that won the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally and gave the small front-wheel-drive Mini its sporting reputation. A Car & Classic listing calls the Cooper the most successful works rally car of the 1960s. Few of the original works cars survive with their period history.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

History

In January 1964 Paddy Hopkirk won the Monte Carlo Rally in a works Mini Cooper S, beating the larger Ford Falcons of Bo Ljungfeldt by a small margin on handicap points. The works team ran six Minis that year and the cars were red with white roofs. Timo Makinen won the 1965 event in a Cooper S, and Makinen, Aaltonen and Hopkirk finished first to third in 1966 before the cars were disqualified over their lighting.

One ex-works car, DJB 92B, was registered in December 1964, first competed in the 1965 Swedish Rally and won the 1966 Circuit of Ireland and the Austrian Alpine Rally. The factory sold it mid-1966 and it was re-shelled in period for the last time in 1967.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Works cars of 1964 wore red paint with white roofs and distinct registrations: the Monte team cars included 33 EJB, LBL 6D and AJB 44B. Genuine ex-works cars can be recognised by the original chassis plate, competition-department history files and event photos. Many works Minis were re-shelled in period, so the body may not be the original.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   1964 Morris Mini Cooper S Works Rally Level B Supercars.net

   • new Cooper S with a larger engine which displaced 1071 cc
   • maximum output of 70 bhp (52 kW)
   • higher top speed of 99 mph (160 km/h)
   • acceleration to 60 mph (100 km/h) in 13 instead of 19 seconds

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Mini Cooper S 1071/970/1275 Level B Classic & Sports Car

   • Servo front discs on all models

   Accessed 2026-11-12