Engine No. 9F-SAY-35510

The Mini Mk I enjoyed a prolific rally racing venture in the 1960s, with the British Motor Corporation Competition Department churning out rally-prepped Coopers and Cooper S' to dominate rallies on a world stage. Thanks to their nimble handling and excellent power-to-weight ratio, as well as the blossoming legends of Timo Mäkinen, Rauno Aaltonen, and Paddy Hopkirk at the wheel, Minis put their far more powerful rivals to shame. The Mini Cooper won the prestigious Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965, and 1967- only missing out on a consecutive win in 1966 because the top three Minis were disqualified for non-compliant headlight bulbs. Mini's tenure on the top step would close the chapter on the small car era of rallying, with more potent performance cars such as the Porsche 911 and Alpine A110 grabbing the spotlight at the start of the World Rally Championship by the 1970s.

This 1963 Morris Mini Cooper S, given the 8 EMO registration number, was originally built as a works rally car for the BMC Competition Department and first fitted with a 1,071 cc S motor. It was specially prepared for the 1963 RAC International Rally of Great Britain, where it placed second in the Touring Car class and fourth overall in the hands of Paddy Hopkirk and Henry Liddon. This was particularly impressive for 8 EMO's first result, as most of its class competitors sported engines up to 600 cc larger in displacement. In 1964, the car was primarily used as a reconnaissance vehicle for the Tulip, Alpine, and Monte Carlo rallies, the last in which another Mini driven by the Hopkirk/Liddon duo took BMC's inaugural overall win. During this period, 8 EMO was also used as a practice car for the Tour de France road race and served as a test and development vehicle- most notably for BMC's Hydrolastic wet suspension system.

The Mini's next big moment was meant to come when it entered the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally, taking part in the Group III class with veteran BMC rally driver and BBC broadcaster Raymond Baxter set to drive. Although it was fitted with a fresh catalogue of adjustments including a smaller 971 cc S motor, the car suffered an engine failure and was unable to make it to the start line in Minsk in time, forcing 8 EMO and crew to withdraw.

The Mini concluded its competition run with its participation in the 1965 International Police Rally where it was lent to John Gott, former BMC rally team captain and Chief Constable of Northamptonshire, and driven by Raymond Baxter. Sporting a fresh 1,275 cc motor, 8 EMO had now been factory fitted with the full catalog of Cooper S power plants. It was also used during that year's BMC Team Car Performance Evaluation Day at Silverstone, where it was tested by Hopkirk, Mäkinen, and Aaltonen, as well as Formula One rookie Jackie Stewart. The car resumed reconnaissance duties for the infamous 1966 Monte Carlo event, which would be its last professional rally venture.

8 EMO then sold to the primary BMC dealership Oswald Tillotson in Lancashire. It was used by privateer rally driver Geoff Halliwell in numerous local rally events and the Harewood Hillclimb in 1968. The car changed hands between owners in Cheshire and North Wales, where it was painted green, before disappearing until 1983. An expert in BMC Competition cars and the founder of the ex-Abingdon works Minis Register commissioned a multiple-year restoration of 8 EMO, fitting it with its original red and white livery and a 1,275 cc motor.

The car was featured in EVO Magazine's December 1998 issue (its second ever issue) and was reunited with both Paddy Hopkirk and Raymond Baxter before Hopkirk's passing. It has participated in countless car shows and historic rallies, where it has won a variety of awards for its provenance. It continues to be eligible for vintage rally events such as the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique.

8 EMO underwent an extensive restoration in June 2024 at Mini racing specialist Mondo Sport in England. Its motor and transmission were removed and sent to seasoned Mini race engine builder Swiftune, and its wiring loom was replaced by vintage racing wiring specialist Sileck Auto Electrical. Mondo fitted the car with new brake discs, brake pads, and AP brake calipers. The Mini's wheels were powder coated Old English White and shod in new Dunlop R7 tires. Mondo replaced a wide variety of components including the front and rear suspensions, wheel bearings, shock absorbers, and fuel pump. The bucket seats were also restored but the original upholstery was left intact, preserving the stories told between driver and co-driver- including Liddon's cigarette burn marks.

This well-documented Morris Mini Cooper S Rally is offered now with a respectable competition history, an all-star cast list of racing drivers who have been behind the wheel, and a recent exhaustive restoration. Clad in the red and white livery from its first race at the 1963 RAC Rally, this Mini is a well-preserved example of BMC's triumphs during the 1960s rally era.