RJB 326F
Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 8:24 am
THE 1968 RAC RALLY, WORKS-PREPARED, PHIL COOPER/MIKE BENNETT
AUSTIN 1293CC MINI COOPER S
REGISTRATION NO. RJB 326F
CHASSIS NO. CA2S81120435A
ENGINE NO. 9F/SA/Y/48920
This truly historic car was built by the Works Competition Department for the 1968 RAC Rally but because of a commitment to the up-coming Marathon event the Works cars were sold off to privateers and Phil Cooper of Coopers of Oulton acquired RJB 326F along with a 1968 RAC Rally entry. Cooper, with Mike Bennett, drove this car to a highly creditable class win and 4th overall position in the punishing event, despite Hydrolastic suspension failure in the last stages.
After a punishing event Cooper was to replace the body shell with a Mark III shell. He continued to use the car in competition before selling it to Warner Green Hotel of Oulton and it was subsequently rally-campaigned by Chris Connell, Ian Parsons and Jeremy Wright, who used it on the Circuit of Ireland. The car was later owned by Ian Lancaster before passing into the present ownership and it seems that it went through the traditional route of being campaigned at international, national and then at club level.
Upon acquisition by the present owner Bob Brain Developments of Monmouth, rally and restoration specialists, were commissioned to carry out a comprehensive restoration to prepare the car for historic rallying, a restoration completed only last year. Since restoration the car has done minimal mileage and has not been rally campaigned.
A donor Mark II shell was obtained which, after full restoration and strengthening, was refitted with as much of the original equipment as is permitted by current regulations. A full competition steel cage replaced the original alloy roll bar (available with the car) and the internal expansion tank and the ‘wet’ suspension were dispensed with. The original Competitions Department dash complete with original Halda, switches and lights were replaced as was the restored Competitions Department wiring loom.
The engine rebuild included new rods, pistons and correct crankshaft replacing a 1275GT crank fitted at some earlier time. The head is believed to be the original ‘blue’ high spec head, fitted with nimonic valves. The gearbox is the original straight-cut box fitted with new bearings.
AUSTIN 1293CC MINI COOPER S
REGISTRATION NO. RJB 326F
CHASSIS NO. CA2S81120435A
ENGINE NO. 9F/SA/Y/48920
This truly historic car was built by the Works Competition Department for the 1968 RAC Rally but because of a commitment to the up-coming Marathon event the Works cars were sold off to privateers and Phil Cooper of Coopers of Oulton acquired RJB 326F along with a 1968 RAC Rally entry. Cooper, with Mike Bennett, drove this car to a highly creditable class win and 4th overall position in the punishing event, despite Hydrolastic suspension failure in the last stages.
After a punishing event Cooper was to replace the body shell with a Mark III shell. He continued to use the car in competition before selling it to Warner Green Hotel of Oulton and it was subsequently rally-campaigned by Chris Connell, Ian Parsons and Jeremy Wright, who used it on the Circuit of Ireland. The car was later owned by Ian Lancaster before passing into the present ownership and it seems that it went through the traditional route of being campaigned at international, national and then at club level.
Upon acquisition by the present owner Bob Brain Developments of Monmouth, rally and restoration specialists, were commissioned to carry out a comprehensive restoration to prepare the car for historic rallying, a restoration completed only last year. Since restoration the car has done minimal mileage and has not been rally campaigned.
A donor Mark II shell was obtained which, after full restoration and strengthening, was refitted with as much of the original equipment as is permitted by current regulations. A full competition steel cage replaced the original alloy roll bar (available with the car) and the internal expansion tank and the ‘wet’ suspension were dispensed with. The original Competitions Department dash complete with original Halda, switches and lights were replaced as was the restored Competitions Department wiring loom.
The engine rebuild included new rods, pistons and correct crankshaft replacing a 1275GT crank fitted at some earlier time. The head is believed to be the original ‘blue’ high spec head, fitted with nimonic valves. The gearbox is the original straight-cut box fitted with new bearings.
