British and European Car Spotters Guide

1965 Geneva Motor Show

ON SHOW AT the 1965 Geneva Motor Show were several specialist bodies exhibited for the first time. Pininfarina had his latest Ferrari based on the new chassis fitted with the 5-litre V12 engine. The nose of this car had a new line featuring a diminutive grille and sharply inclined bonnet, whereas the tail was chopped off as before but with a much slimmer look in profile. Other special coachwork by Pininnfarina was based on the Chevrolet Corvette, Fiat 1600S, Lancia Flaminia 2·8, and there is his safety body design, the PF Sigma, which was shown at Turin in 1964. Frue, the Italian designer, was showing a Lotus Elan G.T. with aluminium alloy and steel coachwork built on the standard Elan backbone chassis.

Three engine sizes for Mini-Cooper S

To extend the competitive scope of the Mini-Cooper S models, both Austin and Morris, two more engine capacities were added in 1965. Both retained the same cylinder bore dimension as the previous 1,071 c.c. engine - 70.6mm. (2·78in.), the swept volumes being adjusted by different crankshaft throws. The 970 c.c. short-stroke unit was aimed at races for the European Saloon Car Championships, and the long-stroke one strengthened B.M.C.'s hand in the British Championship. In addition, an alternative set of gearbox ratios was offered, and with either there was also the choice between four final drive sets. For the new 1,000S the standard final drive was 3.76 to 1, the other options being 3·94, 4·13 and 4·27; for the 1,071 and 1,275 units a 3·44 to 1 ratio is standardized, the supplementary ones being 3·76, 3·94 and 4·13. Gearbox ratio spacings to go with any of the three engines or various final drives were: standard-top 1·0 to 1, third 1·36, second 1·92, first and reverse 3·20. Optional-top 1·0 to 1, third 1·24, second 1·78, first and reverse 2·57. With the standard final drives the 1,OOOS and 1,275S were capable of around 90 and 100 m.p.h. respectively. Other main mechanical details were common to all the S models, and there were no changes in body specification or colours. During road testing, the 1,275S was able to reach 100 m.p.h. in a remarkable short run, proving to have exceptional versatility in top gear, pulling away very strongly from 15-20 m.p.h. The updated Minis were fitted with the then latest Dunlop SP41 tyres, combining adhesion with quietness.