Morris Mini Cooper Mk1.
Two interesting photos of Mini rally cars turned up not so long ago, both driven by husband and wife team Joseph Lowrey and Margaret Mackenzie. The first of the Mini photos is shown below, the car (entry number 59) is a 1964 Morris Mini Cooper Mk1, probably a 998cc Cooper. The duo were competing on the 1964 Coupe Des Alpes rally in their Morris, finished in white with a black roof. It seems they rallied and raced this car during their ownership, but what became of RTS 370?
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Two people are stood with the Mini, presumably Margaret Mackenzie and Joe Lowrey? Bar the lack of hubcaps, and the extra lighting and horns up front, it looks pretty standard. They'd win the <1000cc class in the rally.
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Joe Lowrey, in addition to being an occasional rally driver and co-driver, was also an author and journalist, with regular columns in contemporary magazines such as the New Scientist, and The Motor, where he was Technical Editor. During the war he worked at the Royal Aircraft Establishment on aero engines. He lived to the age of 91, passing away late in 2009. Margaret Mackenzie often navigated for Rootes driver Rosemary Smith, in addition to competing with Joe in Mobil Economy Runs in cars such as the Hillman Imp.
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In 1966, Lowrey and Mackenzie were back behind the wheel of a Mk1 Mini again, this time an automatic model, competing in the Monte Carlo rally. A photo of that car - DOX 352C - in action can be found on the Morris Mini Minor page.
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More information on RTS 370.
From time to time, more information on a car or article that gets featured on the site arrives via email. Colin dropped me a line earlier in the year, having recently purchased a job lot of paperwork at auction, all of which relates to Joe Lowrey and Margaret McKenzie. One document in particular refers to the Mini Cooper featured above, RTS 370, in that it is their original purchase invoice for that car, dated 13th March 1964, which states "One used Morris Cooper Saloon Reg No RTS 370 all as seen and approved", at a price of 465 pounds. Against the purchase price of the Morris Cooper, 235 pounds was allowed for a 1961 Austin Seven Mini (registration SCT 505) that Margaret traded in against it. This was at St Roques Auto Company Ltd, of 64 Ward Road, Dundee. Thanks to Colin for passing on this information.
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Return to Page 14 in the classic & vintage vehicle photo gallery.
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Other Mk1 Minis to feature on the site include the basic road-going Morris Mini-Minor, and two pages of Mk1 Austin Mini photos here and here.
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