{{Infobox automobile | name = Project '64 Mini Cooper S | image = Project_64_Mini_Cooper_Logo.png | manufacturer = [[British Motor Corporation]] | production = | class = [[Land speed record|Land Speed Record vehicle]] | body_style = Mini Cooper S | engine = Turbocharged 970 A-series Cooper S | transmission = 4 speed manual | wheelbase = {{convert|2036|mm|abbr=on}} | length = {{convert|3054|mm|abbr=on}} | width = {{convert|1397|mm|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|1346|mm|in|abbr=on}} | weight = }} '''Project '64''' is the name of the attempt to break the car land speed record for vehicles with an engine capacity of between 751 cc and 1000 cc (I/BGCC class) in a 1964 Mk1 Mini Cooper 970 S. The Project '64 team was successful in 2012, setting a record of {{convert|146.595|mph|abbr=on}} at the [[Southern California Timing Association|SCTA]] Speed Week at [[Bonneville Salt Flats]]. The Project '64 team had planned to attempt to raise the record in 2014 and 2015. In 2014 their car was not complete in time to ship to Bonneville due to delays manufacturing specialist engine components and in 2015 Speed Week was cancelled due to poor track conditions. They now intend to compete at Speed Week 2016. {{Update inline|date=July 2025}}
== Project 64 team ==
The core Project '64 team members for the 2012 record attempt were Garry Orton, Guy Griffith, Garry Grant, Bryan Hartley, Nelson Hartley, Larry Mulholland, Chris Jones and Mike Wilson. The Project '64 team was founded in [[Nelson, New Zealand]], and team members are based in Nelson, Christchurch and Palmerston North. The project is privately funded through fundraising and sponsorship.
[[Burt Munro]]'s grandson, Rob Henderson, unveiled the Project '64 Mini at a fundraising event on September 10, 2011.<ref>[http://nzmotorracing.co.nz/project-64-stripped-down.html Project 64 stripped down] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130219190725/http://nzmotorracing.co.nz/project-64-stripped-down.html |date=2013-02-19 }}</ref> Munro, also from [[New Zealand]], broke the land speed record with a 47-year-old Scout Indian motorcycle in 1967. His story was the basis of the film ''[[The World's Fastest Indian]]''.
== Project 64 car ==
The Project 64 car is a modified 1964 Morris Mini Cooper 970 S, manufactured in 1964. Only 963 of the 970 cc [[Mini#Mini Cooper and Cooper S: 1961.E2.80.932000|Cooper S]] models were built, all in the UK, although more than 5 million Minis of all types were built between 1959 and 2000.<ref>[http://www.bmh-ltd.com/mini.htm] "History of the Mini". British Motor Heritage Limited. Retrieved 2013-09-17.</ref> Although the Mini was not originally conceived as a racing car, its potential was quickly foreseen by motorsport designers including [[John Cooper (car maker)|John Cooper]], who developed the Cooper version. The 970 cc Mini Cooper was created to compete in sub-1000 cc categories. The compact car has a wheel base and track that are not suited to straight line speed;<ref>[http://miniclub.ie/?p=323 Classic Mini Screams Past Record at Bonneville]</ref> the car's success in motor sport is credited to braking, acceleration, and cornering ability.
=== Modifications ===
The Project '64 car was built from a rusty Cooper S, with repaired parts of the body shell coming from a similarly aged Morris 850. A roll cage to conform to SCTA requirements for record runs was added. The short-stroke 970 A-series Cooper S motor was bored to 998 cc and modified with a [[BMW K1200R]] motorcycle twin cam 4 valve per cylinder head, fuel injection, and an IHI turbocharger and intercooler.<ref name="bmce4">{{cite journal|title=World's Fastest Mini|author=Wilson, Mike|journal=The BMC Experience|year=2013|issue=4|page=7}}</ref> The modified engine delivers approximately {{convert|286|bhp|abbr=on}} on pump fuel and {{convert|328|bhp|abbr=on}} on methanol. The aerodynamics of the chassis were optimised and 12 inch Yokohama tyres rated for speeds up to {{convert|150|mph|abbr=on}} were fitted. The body is stock apart from a front spoiler, smooth undertray, modified grille and ducting for the air intake.<ref>[http://new.minimania.com/article/3015/New_Zealand_s_Project_64_goes_for_Land_Speed_Record_at_Bonneville New Zealand’s Project '64 goes for land speed record]</ref>
== Records ==
The previous world land speed record in the Project 64 class was {{convert|131|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref>Matthew Theunissen. Kiwis smash Bonneville record in 'world's fastest Mini'. Otago Daily Times. 19 Aug 2012. [http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/motorsport/222263/kiwis-smash-bonneville-record-worlds-fastest-mini Kiwis Smash Bonneville record]</ref> The two key records Project '64 aimed to break were: * Bonneville Speedweek I/BGCC class – {{convert|131|mph|abbr=on}}<ref>[http://sixtyfournz.wordpress.com/the2014attempt/ The 2014 Attempt] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20131204080940/http://sixtyfournz.wordpress.com/the2014attempt/ |date=2013-12-04 }}</ref> * Unofficial world's fastest Classic Mini – {{convert|121|mph|abbr=on}}
=== 2012 record ===
On 16 August 2012, Project '64 broke the world land speed record for a forced induction competition coupe petrol car of 751cc to 1000cc in Record class I/BGCC.<ref name="record2012">[http://sixtyfournz.wordpress.com/the2012record/ The 2012 Record]</ref> The record is calculated on two runs: a qualifying run (faster than the existing record) and a record run (fast enough to provide an average greater than the existing record). The qualifying run was timed at {{convert|142.103|mph|abbr=on}}, and the record run was even faster at {{convert|151.087|mph|abbr=on}}, giving an average of {{convert|146.595|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://www.minimag.co.uk/2012/10/03/project-64-smashes-world-land-speed-record/ Darren Bourn. Project 64 smashes world land speed record]</ref> The record was listed under Classic Cars Ltd (the name under which the car was entered).<ref>[http://www.scta-bni.org/Bonneville/SpeedWeek%202012/BonnEventRecCars.pdf SCTA Event Records - Cars] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018103151/http://scta-bni.org/Bonneville/SpeedWeek%202012/BonnEventRecCars.pdf |date=2012-10-18 }}</ref> On its last run, the Project '64 car achieved an officially recorded speed of {{convert|156.045|mph|abbr=on}}. Technical issues and lack of time prevented the team from converting this into a record.<ref name="bmce4" /><ref name="record2012" />
[[File:Project 64 Mini Team 2012.jpg|thumb|Project '64 at Bonneville flats, along with some support crew.]]
=== 2014 record attempt ===
Although Project '64 planned to return to [[Bonneville Salt Flats]] in August 2014 to attempt to raise the record above 150 mph, the plans were cancelled due to logistical difficulties and costs.
=== 2015 record attempt ===
In 2015 Project '64 again planned to return to [[Bonneville Salt Flats]] for [[Speed Week]]. The car was shipped to Los Angeles but Speed Week was cancelled due to poor track conditions. The car remained in the USA in storage in Lancaster, California.
=== 2016 record attempt ===
The Project '64 team returned to [[Bonneville Salt Flats]] for [[Speed Week]] 2016, August 13-19.
== See also ==
* [[Land speed record]] * [[List of vehicle speed records]] *[[Speed Week]] *[[Bert Munro#Records|Bert Munro]]
== References ==
<!--- See [[Wikipedia:Footnotes]] on how to create references using<ref></ref> tags which will then appear here automatically --> {{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Project 64 (Mini Cooper)}} *[http://sixtyfournz.wordpress.com/ Project 64 Official Site] *[http://www.facebook.com/ProjectSixtyFour Project 64 Facebook Page] {{extreme motion}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Land Speed Record}} [[Category:Land speed records]] [[Category:Wheel-driven land speed record cars]]