Ian Clifton writes about his car :-

“Rover SPI Mini Cooper purchased nearly new from John Cooper Garages in Ferring. Fitted shortly after purchase with the John Cooper ‘S Works’ engine conversion. After around a dozen years daily use the car was looking a shade tired both bodily and mechanically. Bodywork restoration was entrusted to Wood and Pickett with panels replaced as necesary and a full respray given.

Bill Richards was asked to rebuild the engine to his ‘Fast Road’ spec. The engine was bored out to 1330cc, fully balanced, new crankshaft and a Piper camshaft fitted.  The large valve head was modified and polished to give a compression ratio of 11: 1 and the 1.5 rockers replaced. Finally a 3.44:1 ratio differential was fitted. Performance wise the engine is just about at the limit without upgrading the ECU and remapping.

The engine now pulls like a train but thanks to the balancing work is beautifully smooth and is proving to be both reliable and tractable. An excellent result.”