1970 Austin Mini Cooper S MKII

Registration: VKA293H

Chassis:

CA25B1373571 Odometer: 53,000

Transmission:

Manual MOT: Exempt

A very worthwhile project

Offered with V5

In need of full restoration

Low ownership

In 1970, the Liverpool & Bootle Constabulary famously utilised a fleet of 27 Mark II Mini Cooper S models for city patrolling, prized for their agility in narrow streets. These Glacier White, 1275cc cars were typically used for one year before being sold. Today, only about eight examples are known to survive. Key details of 1970 Mini Cooper S Police Cars include:

Purpose: Primarily used as fast, agile ‘Panda’ cars for city patrols, capable of navigating tight spaces better than larger vehicles.

Specifications:

Often featured twin fuel tanks for extended range, alternators to handle extra electrical loads (radio, lights), and sometimes uprated engines.

Equipment: Included specialised equipment like Pye radio packs, roof-mounted lights with chrome horns, and calibrated speedometers.

Survivors: A notable restored example, often appearing at auctions (such as in 2019 and 2023), is ‘VKA310H’.

Other Regions: While Liverpool had a large, well-documented fleet, other UK forces also used Mini variants for roles like CID or traffic.

Here is a very interesting and rare example, and a very good opportunity to get yourself a unique and rewarding project. An Austin Mini Cooper S that was first registered on 18/2/1970 and supplied by Lookers Limited in Warrington. The Mini is believed by the vendor to be one of the fabled Mini Cooper S’ that Merseyside Police used. Its registration and chassis number would lead you to believe that is the case, being close in the run to the well-known ‘VKA310H’, but we recommend you carry out your own checks to confirm. It is offered with a V5, chassis plate and a British Motor Industry Heritage certificate.

The Mini is finished in white with a black roof and still has its twin tanks, 130 mph speedo, and sits on a period set of aftermarket alloy wheels. The interior appears to be all there but please bear in mind that this is a full restoration, albeit a very worthwhile one.

Whether it is ex-Police or not is not that important, the important thing is that it is an Austin Mini Cooper S from 1970 complete with paperwork and therefore needs to be restored for us all to enjoy going forward.