A 1964 Mini Cooper S valued at up to £80,000 is one of four vehicles owned by the late Barrie “Whizzo” Williams going under the hammer at the Silverstone Classic sale at the end of July.
Whizzo, who died in September 2018 just two months short of his 80th birthday, was well known and loved throughout the world of motorsport having competed in more than 800 races.
Mini Cooper S ordered from hospital bed
Along with the Mini Cooper S, which he ordered from his hospital bed while recovering from an accident, the Whizzo collection includes a 1972 Lancia Fulvia, Fastakart and box trailer, and his favourite paddock moped.
In 1964 Barrie entered the Mini Cooper S, reg 120 MNP, in its first rally, the International Welsh Rally. With co-driver John Griffiths the pair romped home to win.
It was the first international win by a Mini Cooper S and came before Paddy Hopkirk’s works win in Monte Carlo the same year.
Whizzo used the Mini for the next two seasons, competing in major rallies both in the British Isles and abroad. In 1965 he sold it to a friend, who in turn sold it on.
Whizzo re-bought Mini Cooper S years later
Some years later Whizzo re-bought the Cooper S and restored it to the 1964 Welsh Rally spec using original components.
Whizzo used the Mini Cooper S as a road car and often went in it for lunch at the British Race Drivers’ Club – the invitation-only members club for racing car drivers – where he was a member.
Silverstone Auctions General Manager Guy Lees-Milne said: “Barrie was an exceptional racer who touched the lives of many people with his larger than life character.
“We are honoured to be auctioning this history-making and very special Mini Cooper S at our Silverstone Classic sale.”
Whizzo’s Lancia Fulvia joins Mini Coop S at auction
The second car from Whizzo’s estate is the restored 1972 Lancia Fulvia which has been finished to an excellent standard in Rosso with black leather interior. The engine is near concours condition. The estimate is £30,000 to £35,000.
The next lot from Whizzo’s Cooper S collection and something even more personal is his Fastakart and box trailer being offered at no reserve.
The Fastakart business was founded by Whizzo’s father in the late 1950s and was a huge success producing karts which fared well against other British and American designs.
The 1961 kart is fitted with the Villiers 197cc engine and gearbox and comes with a history file including a number of family photos.
2007 Gilera Stalker paddock bike completes collection
The final lot from the collection is Whizzo’s paddock bike, a 2007 Gilera Stalker. This is also being offered with no reserve.
The Silverstone Classic Auction takes place on Saturday and Sunday, July 27 & 29, 2019, offering an exclusive selection of classic cars, sports cars and supercars and automobilia. The lots can be previewed on Friday, July 26, from 9am until 6pm.
If you plan to make a bid for Whizzo’s Mini Cooper S, or any of the other classics going under the hammer, it would be a good idea to make sure you can arrange the right insurance cover just in case yours is the winning bid.
All pictures courtesy of Silverstone Auctions
Actress Juley Ross makes quite an entrance in her classic 1981 Mini