Press kit

Dakar Mini

Press kit: Story, photos and video of the Dakar Mini. Free for editorial use with credit.

01Story

Cream over Bordeaux

Found in the sun-drenched heart of Palermo, this '71 Innocenti Mini COOPER was carefully owned by Giuseppe and taken care of by the hands of Garage Fontana, Her deep red tones, like a strong espresso, perfectly mirror the punch of that spirited 998cc Twin Carb engine that give significantly more horsepower then original thanks to an upgraded cam. To keep things comfortable, she sits on the famous cloud-like hydrolastic suspension. Combined with the high plush Italian carpets and supportive Cooper seats, it captures the exact feel of Italian refinement.

A vintage car parked on a gravel surface with rocky terrain in the background, illuminated by warm sunlight.

THE CAR

•Engine: (overhauled about 4500 km ago at FONTANA) 998cc COOPER spec (same as the English Mk2 Cooper 998) with Legendary 12G295 cylinder head (also referred to as 28G222 in production manuals) and D-topped pistons, giving a 9.0:1 compression ratio. Crankshaft is the 8G2733 (forging number 12A595) matched with a 3.44-1 final drive — a perfect balance of acceleration and drivability. She features the AEA 630 camshaft (also found in 1098cc models)
•Carbs: Twin HS2 carbs with K&N filters
•Brakes: New 7.5” disc brakes matched with a brake booster
•Tyres: Yokohama A008 tyres on Aluminium 10" rims
•Suspension: Hydrolastic fluid
•Interior: Creme leather COOPER seats with extra bolsters matched with dark brown carpet, finished with a MOMO steering wheel and gearshifter. On the dasboard we find a COOPER dash with 5 Clocks
•Year: Build and delivered in 1971

•Engine: (overhauled about 4500 km ago at FONTANA) 998cc COOPER spec (same as the English Mk2 Cooper 998) with Legendary 12G295 cylinder head (also referred to as 28G222 in production manuals) and D-topped pistons, giving a 9.0:1 compression ratio. Crankshaft is the 8G2733 (forging number 12A595) matched with a 3.44-1 final drive — a perfect balance of acceleration and drivability. She features the AEA 630 camshaft (also found in 1098cc models)
•Carbs: Twin HS2 carbs with K&N filters
•Brakes: New 7.5” disc brakes matched with a brake booster
•Tyres: Yokohama A008 tyres on Aluminium 10" rims
•Suspension: Hydrolastic fluid
•Interior: Creme leather COOPER seats with extra bolsters matched with dark brown carpet, finished with a MOMO steering wheel and gearshifter. On the dasboard we find a COOPER dash with 5 Clocks
•Year: Build and delivered in 1971

This COOPER is built for pure fun! Under the hood sits a 998cc engine that punches well above its weight. While standard versions of this Cooper engine deliver around 61hp, this particular engine, equipped with a sportier camshaft by Fontana, surpasses that figure with ease.

We often say this is one of the best engines ever made for the Mini; it’s a rev-happy engine that feels like it never wants to stop climbing. To handle all that extra performance, she has been fitted with servo-assisted 7.5” disc brakes at the front. Combined with a fresh set of aluminium rims and Yokohama rubber, this Mini is ready to be smashed into the corners.

This MK3 COOPER sits on the famous Hydrolastic suspension, often called 'wet suspension', originally developed for 'super deluxe' models to provide the ultimate in ride comfort. It uses a system similar to the legendary Citroën DS; if you’ve ever experienced one, you’ll know exactly what kind of refinement we’re talking about.

In fact, we’d argue these cars are even more comfortable to drive than a late-model MPi. The superior sound insulation, which was standard behind the firewall on Italian models, makes a world of difference. Inside, you’re greeted by light brown leather seats that offer a much 'beefier', more supportive feel—true to its Cooper DNA. The cabin is finished with a MOMO steering wheel and that iconic, sought-after Innocenti 5-gauge dashboard.

The development of the 998cc was done by COOPER, first featured in both the Austin / Morris and Innocenti 998 MK2 Cooper ( of which a truly unique example can be find here: https://www.instagram.com/noel.mk2/ ) This engine was a huge success and is compared to its 1275cc brother the more balanced, less vibrating, ultrasmooth alternative which is even said to be more at home on a twisty road then the 1275. We know from experience these engine’s can be found with 150k + mileage without any problems, and that from an engine developed in the early 60’s!

02Photos

15 selected · full set in the ZIPAll photosZIP

Photography by Noël van Bilsen (@noelvanbilsen) · Please credit Brooks Motors / Noël van Bilsen