The Checker Marcos Mini Cooper S

No not the Mini Marcos, but this little treasure resulted from the export of Mini Marcos cars to Japan.

In the mid 1990's Marcos Cars of Wiltshire had a contract with Checker Motors of Tokyo to build 100 special edition Marcos Cooper S's for Japan.

Jem was in the process of fulfilling an order for the Mini Marcos Mk V for Japan, and these wer built to a high standard with of course new parts used in the build. But, it is reported that in building the actual Mini Marcos MkV's, Jem could not get Rover to supply him with new mini parts, engines for example, so in an attempt to ensure a supply of new parts, he bought 100 Minis.

After stripping out the parts they needed for the Mini Marcos MK V, they were then left with the shells.

Jem Marsh then agreed to use these shells to build a replica Cooper S for Checker Motors in Tokyo using a Richard Longman (a very famous Mini engine builder and racing driver) modified 1300cc BMC twin carburettor engine with a gas flowed inlet manifold, Kent 285 camshaft, a modified cylinder head with larger valves and chrome K&N filters and a performance exhaust system. 

Published performance figures for 0-60 mph are 8.2 seconds with 67 bhp at the wheels and with a top speed of 100mph +.

Period details made it look like a 1960's Mini Cooper S include a contrasting white / green paint scheme, four spoke revolution alloys, 60's chrome grille, period door mirrors, twin petrol tanks with Monza caps, 145 kph centrally mounted speedometer with rev counter, period seats, Moto-Lita steering wheel, exterior door hinges, period lamps, original style number-plate holder, Cooper S badging.