Registered – 4/7/1967 to the MG Car Company Ltd, Abingdon. Berkshire
Chassis Number – C-A2S7/956996
Engine Number – XSP 25148 (Originally 9F-SA-Y/44911)
NBL 126E was built as a ‘full’ Group 6 lightweight works Cooper S at Abingdon’s Competitions Department as a Development and Recce car, however it was reputedly later loaned to Tony Fall / Mike Wood (in late 1968/69) to compete on rallies within the UK.
The car was purchased by the current owner from Norman Grimshaw’s stable in Cheshire, having been in his custodianship since the late 1970’s / early 1980’s. The car was in a non-complete state with many parts removed and the bodyshell sat looking very sorry for itself a lengthy period. Norman purchased the project with the intention to rebuild it back into a rally car, but soon worked out he would rather go racing (opting for an Austin Healey / Porsche to rally instead at a later date).
The Cooper S sat for many years in a barn locally that was owned by one of his friends – it was sadly forgotten about in favour of his love for circuit racing. The current owner was involved both helping out, and racing with Norman in the UK and abroad, and in-time helped to thin down his collection of fantastic vehicles. Over a 10-year period, our vendor purchased 3 cars from Norman, and still retains all of them! Due to his own ill health, he’s now thinning down a slightly smaller collection, albeit still a very painful decision!
Restoration – As previously mentioned, the car was in a tired state following its rallying career, however it importantly retains its original 1967 bodyshell and many original features that are unique to this vehicle. It started life as a pretty standard MK1 Cooper S that was used as a test bed for Cliff Humphries – the resident development engineer at BMC Abingdon Comps Dept. When the restoration started, it was apparent that the car had been developed into a Group 6 lightweight car. This included fitment of an aluminium boot, bonnet and doors, plus Perspex side, rear and back windows. The engine was changed out to a development XSP 1293cc unit (whilst at the Comps dept), fully rebuilt by Swiftune for Norman at the time (but never used). The car had been mated with an 8-port Injection engine at some point, with witness holes within the shell.
Our vendor is confident that all BMC drivers including Paddy Hopkirk would have used this car whilst testing in Wales, as well as on Tarmac in Abingdon and at Turweston airfield. The car has seen several colour changes over the years but is now restored back to its striking Black and Old English White colour scheme.
All of the “Works skidded” subframes were rebuilt and the hydrolastic interconnecting pipework remade to fit back inside the car, alongside battery, brake and wiring. This was done in the day to avoid any damage from under the car. The super rare Scandinavian sump guard is fitted (with inner collar). The car was re-wired using the original Lucas braided cables, mated to the fabulous works dashes. The car had all fuel pipes covered going through the back seat to the tanks, so that two studded tyres could be locked in place. The rear parcel shelf has the John Aley 3 point cage attached with two different wheel braces, one to fit Minilite wheels the other the standard mini nut. Ironically painted Red and Green (port and starboard perhaps???!). Spare nuts are carried within the car for steel wheel fitment. The boot area carries two “road” Minilite wheels, with the boot board having to be modified in the day to fit the 165 tyre. Both tank straps are modified. Within this area are the tools carried within a BMC tool bag, with the correct super-slim spanners. This compliments the tool roll that hangs from the bag shelf with further tools if they have problems. The super rare Elopress tyre/fire is located on the board. There is the correct modified jack that sits attached to the OSR pocket held in with a lovely strap for quick release. A later addition to the car is a works style roof rack with modified quick release clamps to ease those two Dunlop SP 44’s off! Seats – These are the correct type drivers and navigators’ seats with the strengthened brackets to hold them in place. They have the correct Irvin belts that can be modified for all driver sizes. (Current owner is 6’2”!)
This versatile and important piece of the Mini timeline has been restored on a truly no-expense-spared basis. It would be equally at home in a motor museum, as it would be thrown around B-road country lanes! Our vendor has used the car for gentle road runs, as well as an ascent of the famous Shelsley Walsh speed hillclimb, but did advise us that if the purchaser wish to do some serious current motorsport, many of the period parts would need removing and a current roll cage fitting. This car has never been to market from when Norman took possession. It’s been the recipient of a painstaking restoration using only the correct parts from the period and is truly a unique opportunity.
