A review of The British Sports Car, covering the development, features and technical data of each chosen model, from the Mini Cooper S, Jensen Healey, Daimler Dart, to the McLaren F1.

In this article, I offer a nostalgic look at British sports cars, a prime example of a collection of some true classics, which were made during the period from 1959 to 1996.

Mini Cooper

John Cooper, who built Formula One and rally cars, was well aware of the tuning potential of the Series A engine used in the Mini.

After extensive discussion and collaboration, the Austin and Morris Mini Cooper sports car made its appearance in 1961.

The Morris Mini used an 848cc engine. However, with tuning, and giving it a longer stroke, the displacement could be increased to 997 cc. Power would increase from 34bhp to 55bhp.

The Mark 1 Mini Cooper had two SU carburetors, a close ratio gearbox and disc brakes on the front wheels.

In 1964 the original 997cc engine was replaced, in the Mini Cooper Mark 2, with one using a shorter stroke and 998cc capacity.

In 1992 the Rover Mini Cooper used a 1275cc engine, with fuel injection replacing the SUs.

Mini Cooper sales were: 64,000 marks 1 and 16,000 marks 2.

mini cooper

In 1963, more powerful versions of the basic Mini Cooper sports car debuted under the Austin and Morris name.

The first was the 1071cc ​​Mini Cooper S, with a modified crankshaft and reinforced main bearings, to allow for more tuning.

It had enlarged servo-assisted disc brakes and was designated the Mark 1 Mini Cooper S. It was built for just one year.

In 1964, the 970cc Mini Cooper S was launched, designed to compete in the sub-1000cc category.

However, it was not popular and was only produced for one year. It was designated the Mark 2 Mini Cooper S

On the other hand, in 1963 the 1275 cc Mini Cooper S was introduced, which was an immediate success, with production continuing until 1971.

There was a Mark 1, 2 and 3 version. This model was designed to compete in the sub-1300cc category.

Sales of the Mini Cooper S were:

• 19,000 Mark 1 (combined 970, 1071 and 1275)
• 6300 frames 2 (only 1275)
• 1,570 Mark 3 (only 1275)

A Mini Cooper S won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967.

jensen-healey

When production of the Austin Healey 3000 sports car ended in 1967, there were talks between Donald Healey and automaker Jensen.

From the resulting collaboration the Jensen Healey sports car was born.

At the prototype stage, various engines from Vauxhall, BMW and Ford were evaluated. However, none were acceptable.

Eventually, Jensen approached Lotus, who had a new, but untested, engine that fit the bill.

It was a 2-litre, twin overhead cam, 16-valve aluminum unit called the Lotus 907.

The result was offered as a two-seater convertible or coupe, with front disc brakes and rear drums. It used coil springs at the front and a live axle at the rear.

European export models had two twin-choke carburettors, while US models had a single Stromberg, for emission requirements.

The Jensen Healey was popular in the US, but less so in the UK. A total of 3,777 were sold.

To offset financial difficulties, the Jensen Healey GT was introduced in 1975. It was a 2+2 coupe with a limited rear view.

Jensen went into receivership in 1976.

Jensen Interceptor

In 1966, the Jensen Interceptor sports car was launched.

It was offered as a two-door, four-seat hatchback, convertible, or coupe.

The Mark 1 version used a 6.3 liter (383 cu in) Chrysler V8 engine developing 325 hp.

It had a distinctive, very large, wraparound rear window, which also acted as a tailgate. It had disc brakes on all wheels, independent front suspension and rear leaf springs.

In 1969, the Mark 2 was introduced with slightly revised styling.

In 1971, a larger 7.2-litre (440 cu in) Chrysler V8 engine with three twin-choke carburetors was used, developing 330 hp.

This fuel delivery version was called the SP and was also available in the 6.3 liter engine, developing 385 hp.

In 1972 the 7.2 liter engine now used a single 4-barrel carburetor.

In 1973 the Mark 3 had more minor styling changes.

daimler dart

In the late 1950s, the luxury car manufacturer Daimler was experiencing financial difficulties.

As a result, the company decided to enter the American sports car market with its own model.

Thus the Daimler Dart, later known as the Daimler SP250, was born. The “SP” referred to the Deportivo, and the “250” to its 2.5 liter engine.

Launched at the New York Auto Show in 1959, it was well received.

It was described as a 2+2 sports car, with fiberglass bodywork on a steel chassis.

Its engine was an all-new 2.5-litre V8 unit, hemispherical combustion chamber, overhead valves, with twin SU carburettors.

The chassis of the original A-spec sports car had a tendency to flex in tight corners, causing the doors to swing open.

However, this was rectified in 1960 with the introduction of the B-spec car.

In 1963, the C-spec version appeared, with luxurious extras as standard.

Daimler was taken over by Jaguar in 1960 and unfortunately as the Dart had to compete with the E-Type it was not given the attention it deserved, which had an adverse effect on sales.

McLaren F1

In 1988, a simple drawing of a three-seater sports car formed the basis for creating the ultimate sports car. Hence F1 was born.

In 1992, the McLaren F1 was presented at The Sporting Club in Monaco.

It used a fiberglass monocoque chassis.

It was decided that the engine should be normally aspirated as turbochargers and superchargers added a degree of complexity that could affect drivers’ level of engine control.

The final engine choice was a BMW 6.1-litre, V12. It used an aluminum block and cylinder head, four overhead camshafts and variable valve timing.

The road version had a compression ratio of 11.1.

In 1998, the McLaren F1 was the world’s fastest road car, reaching 231 mph, with its revs limited, and 243 mph when free to accelerate.

Only 106 F1s were built:

• 64 of the standard street version (F1)
• 5 were tuned versions (LM’s), referring to Le Mans
• 3 were road cars (GT)
• 5 were prototypes (XP)
• 28 were race cars (GTR)
• 1 was a prototype of LM

This marked the end of my review of the British sports car.

Perhaps this walk down memory lane might have answered, or at least shed light on a possible question:

Which British sports car is it? Their Favourite

However, if this question remains unanswered, I will review, in some detail, in future articles within this website, this range of British sports cars that were introduced in the memorable era spanning 1959 to 1986.

I hope you’ll join me on my nostalgic trips “down sports car memory lane.”