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1964 Austin Mini EV converted Cooper S rally rep

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Details

  • Make: Austin
  • Milage: 2263 Miles
  • Year: 1964
  • Model: Mini
  • Transmission: Automatic
  • Fuel: Petrol
  • Location: Whitchurch

Description

Here is my unique 1964 Mk1 Austin Mini Cooper S Rally Rep EV conversion, that I commissioned in 2022, and have since dailied up till now. The EV conversion was done by startup Opto Innovations, with the idea to create a lightweight, reversible, economic EV conversion using recycled parts. The result is a Mini that still weighs 700kgs, and still rides, drives and handles like a classic Mini, but with modern electric performance and reliability, and minimal running costs. The drivetrain is from a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, capable of 195Nm which is equivalent of up to about 134bhp (but I'm running her at 85Nm which is plenty). The battery is a BMW 9kWh (from a 530e), chosen for weight, cost and packaging reasons. It gives me a real world range of +/-35miles on country roads, but you should get more as a city car. She can fully charge from a 3.6kW standard mains charger (supplied) in about 3 hours, or any Type 2 wall charger. The starting point was a 1964 Mk1 Austin Mini, previously converted in period to race using genuine Cooper S parts. Underneath she has been thoroughly Waxoyled. She is riding on red spot cones, with Hi-Los and new KYB self-adjusting shocks. Wheels are 5.5x10" steels, running fresh Yokohama A539s. She is unrestored and not cosmetically perfect, but for me she's in ideal usuable condition. She's wearing full Monte Carlo Rally rep livery with various rally touches such as Cooper S chrome trims, Lucas spots, headlamp covers, catches, etc. Interior also has the full rally rep treatment, with roll cage, heated bucket seats, heated windscreen and full rally dash, with little to give away that she's an EV; the fuel gauge is now a battery meter. If you wanted more detail on battery stats etc, there is a fold out 7" screen, that also supports Android Auto/CarPlay. Bad points? The Mk1 door hinges sag a little as they often do, the boot is largely taken up by the battery pack, and of course range is limited, so won't fit everyone's use case and would be best suited as a city car. There are other EV converted Minis out there, including the official Mini Recharged conversions, but these are about 2-3x what I am looking for. Happy to answer any questions, send additional information and consider offers. I didn't think I'd ever sell her TBH, but circumstances have changed and I could do with something my son can learn on, so I may consider p/x for a cheap manual, petrol car. I can also arrange mainland delivery, given her limited range.