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The motoring correspondent of The Times reported in May 1963 the Mini while a popular second car in many households was no longer strictly the fashion, the Grande Luxe Mini de Ville by Radford had taken over. On test in London, he reported, it attracted more attention than a Ferrari Berlinetta with its special colour scheme and trim, sliding sunroof, radiator grille with two more recessed lights, special sound insulation and electric windows. The car tested by The Times also had white leather upholstery and deep lambswool carpets, tachometer, ammeter, oil gauge, clock, headlamp flasher and water temperature gauge. Further extras were: a laminated wood steering wheel, automatic red caution lights on open doors, a reading light, cigar lighter, twin-speaker radio and an air blower to demist the rear window. After the 1967 Earls Court Motor Show The Times recorded that Captains of Industry ordered them, painted them to match their Rolls-Royces and gave them to their wives. Pop Stars and West End playboys presumably invested in them as a status symbols. The reporter tested ‘a typical Mini de Ville’, a 1275 Mini-Cooper S with an engine performance pack providing up to about 110mph Outwardly the only distinction was the magnesium alloy wheels, sunroof and non-standard paint. Inside absolutely everything seemed like a refugee from a Rolls-Royce.
This exceptional 1968 Morris Mini Cooper S Mk. II has all the hallmarks of being a superb example built by Radford, but no records to prove this can be found. Purchased by a private collector in 2016 it was later sold by Historics in 2022 to another private collector where it has remained until now continuing to be fully maintained and well looked after. A previous owner purchased the car around 2012 from a long-term owner who lived in Derby. Between his purchase and the car being sold in 2016 he sent it to marque specialists Paul Preston Classic Mini Restoration for a comprehensive respray and restoration as necessary. Stripping the car down and removing the original paint, it was found that the body was sound and rust free, the coachbuilders work was to the highest standards where the Mk. II body shell had been de-seemed and lead filled including the smoothed front panel. The car was repainted to the highest of standards in the original colour of maroon. Refitted the excellent bespoke cream and piped red, Connolly leather interior, the burr walnut dashboard with a full complement of Smith gauges and felt roof lining, A and C pillar panels and MotaLita wood rimmed steering wheel. Other Radford features include a Webasto folding sunroof and grille recessed Lucas spotlights. During the restoration the engine and gearbox were also overhauled. This lovely Cooper S is supplied with a V5 registration document, the heritage certificate confirming that it is a matching numbers car and a file containing sundry invoices.]]