1964 Morris Mini 'Cooper S' 1,275cc Competition Saloon
Registration no. EGF 431B
Chassis no. MA2S4S290851
Engine no. 8AM-U-H-801936

After a restoration completed by the best known Mini specialist, Swiftune, this stunning FIA (Period F) ex-James Martin Mini is now available following the owner's change of direction with his racing.

Originally a standard 848cc saloon, 'EGF 431B' was purchased in February 2013 from Mike Youles, who had owned the car since 2005 when it was originally painted grey. The intention was to build a competitive car for James to race in many different series across the UK as well as at the Goodwood Revival. The story of its time with James has been well told in numerous magazines including Mini World and Cooper World (original magazines included in the sale).

In August 2014, Mini World featured a 7-page article detailing the story of James' purchase and the entire build process by Andy Harrison of Acespeed. The article provides an in-depth commentary on the decision to use a Swiftune engine and gearbox (all receipts on file) as well as Koni shock absorbers. The colour chosen was the same as used by Hopkirk and Fitzpatrick cars at Aintree in 1964, according to an article in Cooper World from July 2013. The car is now finished in a slightly lighter blue, still an original BMC colour.

On file are a number of photographic albums containing numerous shots of the car when it was handed-over to James to join his Race-retro Speed team, alongside his other Minis. The interior seen in the photographs is being sold with the car, including the 'cut down' passenger seat. James raced 'EGF 431B' extensively with HSCC and Masters at Silverstone Classic, Croft and Zandvort, as well as showing the car at Car Fest and Mini Fest.

Included in the sale are various papers detailing different set-ups for the shock absorbers and suspension camber. In addition, there is a large number of invoices through 2015 from Swiftune, who made sure 'EGF 431B' stayed at the forefront of historic racing. This included a win at the 2013 Mini Festival at Brands Hatch. The original programme comes with the car.
In 2013, 'EGF 431B' was raced at the Goodwood Revival by James and Andy Harrison. In wet conditions James qualified 7th, within a second of Rob Huff in another Mini. Both James and Andy would go on to finish, which resulted in 14th place on aggregate (all results available on TSL). For the 2015 Goodwood Revival, James was partnered with Jason Plato and again they both finished, ending up an excellent 11th on aggregate and the second Mini home behind the Swift/Chandhok car.

The current owner purchased the car in 2018 from Duncan Hamilton ROFGO, compete with the correct FIA papers enabling it to compete in various different series. The car was immediately handed over to Swiftune for preparation and a run out at Donington, where it qualified on the front row in the wet against Mustangs et al in an HRDC race.

In early 2019, 'EGF 431B' was invited back to Goodwood for the Betty Turnball all-Mini race at the Members' Meeting, only to have a small 'off' at Madgwick on some dropped oil while running in 12th position. Since then the car has raced at a number of different meetings including the Silverstone Classic.

Nick Swift then decided that the wiring loom needed replacing. As the engine bay was stripped, the list of jobs got longer and it was decided to carry out a strip-down, which revealed the need for some restoration. Pictures of all the work are on file and also available on a USB stick. One improvement made was the fitting of a new roll cage, manufactured by BMS Engineering and signed off by Motorsport UK (all paperwork and Motorsport UK's certificate are on file). The car had a repaint as described above and now looks 'as new'. The engine was rebuilt after the Silverstone Classic and has approximately three hours running time on it. The car has not been on track since the restoration's completion in December 2021.

In short: this is a 'box fresh' and ready-to-go Swiftune-restored Mini with a very interesting and well-detailed history substantiated by numerous invoices and paperwork.