1962 MORRIS MINI 850 SPORTS – 42,251 MILES SHOWING
Rarer than a Cooper S, this little sports sedan was the brain child of Mini racing legend Peter Manton of Melbourne and Brian Foley of P. & R. Williams BMC dealers of Sydney. Peter ran Peter Manton Motors BMC in Melbourne but was best known for his exploits in a Cooper S with the Neptune Racing Team. The two later shared a Mini Cooper in the first Bathurst 500 race and became very close friends.
Before the Cooper S variant was released, the market was asking for a more sporty version of the Morris 850 and Peter and Brian came up with a slightly sportier tuned example with twin SU carburettors, a tuned exhaust system and of course the Sports 850 badging and paint work changes. Brakes and suspension were not changed, as the modifications were considered minor.
These small changes produced a better performing car with a more authoritative exhaust note, but they were produced in very small numbers through two dealerships, Peter Manton Motors in Melbourne and P. & R. Williams of Sydney.
This example was delivered new by Kellow Falkiner, a BMC dealer in Russell St Melbourne on the 6th of December 1962 and we hold the original books, service book and brochures from that date. We also hold promotional details of the car from P. & R. Williams and a copy of the Australian Motor Sports and Automobiles magazine featuring the Sports 850 on the cover, dated march 1962.
Powered by a 848cc A series engine, a standard 850 produced when new 27.5Kw of power, delivered to the front wheels via a 4 speed manual gearbox. Performance was quoted at 0-100kph in about 22.0 secs and a top speed near 120kph, nothing sporty but with an incredible reputation for road holding and corning. With the upgrade to twin carbs and a freer flowing exhaust system, 0-100kph time was down to 18.2 secs and a top speed near 132kph.
What Peter Manton and Brian Foley achieved and later John Cooper in UK did in producing the Cooper and S variants, turned these cars into sporty cars and eventually world rally and race winners.
The Cooper S wheels and twin petrol tanks are not part of the original specs for the 850 Sports, however the owner does have the original 850 rims if required.
This dear little Mini comes with rare books and paperwork relating to it’s development and would make a perfect addition to someone’s Mini collection, or just a rare Mini to enjoy on it’s own.
Available to admire on our state of the art showroom floor in Adelaide.
We can arrange transport door to door Australia wide.
Finance – our broker offers VERY competitive rates and prompt service.
We welcome the opportunity to consider your trade in.
| Make: | Morris |
| Model: | 850 Sports |
| Built: | 1962 |
| KM: | 42,251 Miles |
| Engine Size: | 848cc |
| Cylinders: | 4 |
| Transmission: | Manual |
| Price: | $49,900 |