1964 Morris Mini Cooper S Mk. I CCC75 Prototype | The Summer Serenade Auction | 18th July

• The original CCC75 Prototype and official Goodwood Revival Safety Car
• Class Winner at the 2002 Beaulieu National Mini Day
• 1,380cc fast-road engine with close-ratio gearbox and uprated suspension

The Mini Cooper S needs little introduction. More than sixty years after its launch, it remains one of the most influential performance cars ever built, its giant-killing competition successes forever linked with the Cooper name. Few examples, however, can claim a closer association with that legacy than YSU 940, the original CCC75 Prototype and Build Number 0 of one of the most significant Mini projects ever undertaken.

Conceived by Mike Cooper, son of Formula One pioneer and Mini legend John Cooper, the CCC75 programme was commissioned to celebrate 75 years of the Cooper Car Company. Rather than producing a simple restored Cooper S, the aim was to create the ultimate road-going Mk. I, retaining the character and appearance of the original whilst subtly incorporating modern engineering, craftsmanship and reliability. Production was strictly limited to just 20 individually numbered cars. With a list price of £100,000 plus VAT when new, the CCC75 was conceived without compromise, combining concours-level craftsmanship with carefully considered engineering upgrades to create what many regard as the ultimate interpretation of the classic Mini Cooper S. Each car was officially endorsed by the Cooper family and accompanied by the beautifully produced CCC75 commemorative book, documenting the history of the Cooper Car Company, the development of the project and the creation of every individual example.

YSU 940 is the car upon which the entire programme was founded. Built from an original right hand drive 1964 Morris Mini Cooper S, it served as the prototype used to develop, evaluate and refine every aspect of the CCC75 specification before production commenced. Constructed under the expert guidance of renowned Mini specialist Scott Turner, it has since featured extensively in CCC75 promotional material, won its class at the 2022 Beaulieu National Mini Day on its debut appearance and even served as the official safety car during the Goodwood Revival.

The engineering philosophy mirrored that of John Cooper himself: preserve the character of the original whilst enhancing every aspect of its performance and usability. At its heart is a meticulously engineered 1,380cc A-Series engine, based around a 1275 GT block and featuring an SW5 camshaft, balanced crankshaft, rods and pistons, a modified 11-stud cylinder head, twin SU H4 carburettors with MED stub stacks and electronic ignition, producing approximately 95-100bhp. Power is delivered through a close-ratio four-synchro gearbox with A+ drop gears and a 3.4:1 final drive, while adjustable Hi-Lo suspension, Koni Classic dampers, servo-assisted front disc brakes and alloy calipers ensure the driving experience matches the car's competition-inspired pedigree. Contemporary road testers praised the CCC75 for capturing everything enthusiasts loved about the original Cooper S, whilst delivering the refinement, reliability and precision expected of a hand-built modern classic.

Far more than simply a restored Mk. I Cooper S, YSU 940 is the original CCC75 prototype, the benchmark against which every subsequent car was built and a unique piece of modern Cooper history. With direct Cooper family provenance, outstanding engineering and unquestionable historical significance, it represents one of the most important and collectable Minis to be offered for sale in recent years. Consigned by Fraser Smith