Drewie wrote:
A couple of little stories I recall about NSW Police S's. I was doing my National Service back in 1968/69 era and we had a couple of new Cooper S's in our group and every month or so did a Melb/Syd return trip sometimes taking both S's other times just one of them. I can recall seeing a Police S in pursuit of some one back then, it was quite eye opening what occurred, the Police S pulled out from behind us from a couple of car back, overtook us then went 3 wide as he overtook a car that was overtaking, the Police S was 3 wide left wheels on the bitumen and drivers side in the gravel, he pulled in a car that was maybe a dozen or so cars ahead of us, this was on an open highway so speeds would have been 100 plus km.
Another I can recall we had taken both the S's to Sydney and some where over the border in NSW we stopped for a drink then took off again, it was night time and I was driving the second car, out of no where a Police S appeared and slotted in between the two of us in roared up the rear of my friends S and he thought it was me, as he saw a Mini in his rear view mirror, so he took off like a rocket thinking I wanted a bit of spirited driving, he was in for a big surprise when the Cop pulled him over, I can't recall what he booked him for.
Highly questionable police actions...
In the 60s my Dad would pile into an 850 in Melbourne with three other Navy mates and drive continuously, overnite (10 hours springs to mind), swapping drivers, for a long weekend in Sydney...before you throw up your hands in the air,
ANY Mini, regardless of power, is a great point-to-point car...those were different days when derestricted speed limits applied...
The Nissan 3 litre black out of VL might be sweeter...