But what brakes does it have?  The description says they were upgraded to 998 spec 7.5".  998 brakes are the same 7" discs as 997 but with bigger pads and slightly modified calipers.  7.5" discs were Cooper S.  Just goes to show how uninformed the seller is with the product they are offering.

The "L" indicates left hand drive export.  Too bad there isn't a matching number motor and the correct brakes. Red tail lenses come up for sale quite often.

How can you tell just by looking at the vin if it's a US import?

What??  Nobody pointed out the wrong accelerator pedal?  Usually one sees the MK4 variety on hurried LHD conversions!  Also I would think the export numbers would be TOTAL Cooper 997 exports rather than US imports!  I wouldn't think enough of us dorks... umm I mean enlightened folks even knew about these in 1962!!

The stainless door trim was standard on both the Cooper and the Cooper S.  It should also have the stainless lower trim around the wheelwells and under the doors.

I've seen them on Coopers as well....maybe it was an optional extra on Coopers....standard on S (?)

 

Wait a second - I have a '62 997 Cooper.  Glad I still have the crappy 7" brakes in the garage.

Why does this car have the chrome front windows?  I thought that was S, not Cooper.  Beautiful resto, wonder if matching numbers is less of an issue for collector buyers?

 

It always bothers me when I see a car with such a hifgh price tag and the incorrect interior. Look, if you want top dollar, get the freakin brocade in there chaps!!! For me, that is one THE most important things that make the car so damn cool and complete. I know its pricey but come on, pony up will ya!

Also, if you wanted a radio in a Mini, in the 60's where was the antenna usually put? I assume it was never an option but I'm many had one. My 66 had the ariel mounted on the center front of the roof.

My first Mini was a 65 Cooper I bought in 68. I paid $1200 for it and sold it 3 years later for $400 to finance university. I had changed a tire just prior and the jack had moved up a long way through the sill without lifting the car.

Wow, I just went back and read the description and the Heritage Certificate says it started life Almond Green.  Wrong colour drags value down as well to a proper collector.

Nice looking Mini, but far from concours or 100% correct...for that kind of money should be perfect.  Wrong front panel, wrong doors, wrong heater, wrong wheelwell trim, etc.  But anyway, yes, 997 Coopers were not built in high numbers and I have said for years they would one day come up to higher prices.  Currently we are in negotiation to send one of our 997s (March 62 car) back to England.  It is a project car, but one the buyer has faith that he can put back to original spec.  Of course, he'll have lots of room $$ wise though, as our selling price is nowhere near what they are asking.

I had a 1962 Mini Cooper back in 1983.  I sold it in Texas for $700.  It needed a lot of work and had rusty floors but it ran.  I should call the guy up that I sold it to and see it I can buy it back. 

Very pretty and very nicely presented.

I agree with mur that whoever buys it (if they have deep enough pockets) will probably have a very nicely prepared car.

On the other hand, for that kind of money… It is interesting the front valence is the later one, and also the valve cover has a nipple, which I thought was only on the post '67 Midgets A series, but maybe I am mistaken about that.

Getting really picky here, but shouldn't the AUSTIN and patent plates on the valve cover be riveted, rather than the screws used on this one?

The passenger side wiper blade is installed incorrectly (it should be removed and re-fitted a spline or two over so it doesn't hit the driver's side like it is here).

For $15k, those kind of details would be insignificant and petty, but for the top, top dollar being asked, it seems like everything should be really meticulously accurate or something.

Norm

These sorts of sellers are not selling cars to the same people that might buy a car from most of us, so the price they ask isn't really relevant. We can nit pick the car a lot, and there are things that aren't perfect, but 997s are the new cool and someone with deep pockets can buy it and probably enjoy it. Good for them. 

You do realise tomorrow is APRIL Fools Day?   These folk are just having a laugh.....unless some idiot buys it at this asking price.

I followed the photo'a watermark and the dealership is exoticclassics.com

Car is rare since only 3,381 1962 997 coopers were imported to the US.

 

//www.exoticclassics.com/1962-austin-mini-cooper-c-519.htm?#images_container

They were just talking about it on another thread (all red tail lights) Armycook's profile pic has all red tail lights too.

 

//www.minimania.com/msgThread/117397/1/1/ALL_RED_tail_lights

tail lights? what should it have? are the indicators supposed to be red for the US market? How about the front apron? not full skirt.

Oh wow just like my red 63 austin cooper except this one is fully restored minus the tail lights! I recently straight traded my 72 yellow Australian clubman for an original North American 63 Austin cooper (with California black plates!)

if this sells I guess I'm gonna start prepping mine to be auctioned! Lol

a pig in a tux..