The Austin Seven Cooper modelled, is presented as it appeared on the front of the car's original launch brochure. However it never actually existed in quite this form, as new research carried out by The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust and the Mini-Cooper Register has revealed. The picture used on the brochure's front cover was taken at Goodwood in late April 1961 and shows members of the Cooper F1 team, including their young driver Bruce McLaren, preparing the Indianapolis Cooper-Climax T54 whilst a new Austin Seven Cooper is admired. The Farina Grey and Black Austin Seven Cooper used KEL 236, is believed to actually be the Morris Mini Cooper prototype 126 LWL. The number plate was changed specially for the photo shoot. However, the original photographs show the car was fitted with a normal Austin badge, the Austin Cooper badge the car is wearing in the brochure was airbrushed in by the art department as it had not been produced when the picture was taken.
The Mini-Cooper was the brainchild of John Cooper, then proprietor of the successful Cooper Formula 1 team. He saw the racing potential in his friend Issigonis's nimble economy car, the Mini, and after building a prototype, persuaded BMC to build the 1000 cars needed for homologation.
BMC agreed to pay Cooper two pound per car for the use of his prestigious name, and the Austin Seven Cooper (and Morris Mini Cooper) were launched on 20th September 1961. The Austin version officially became the Mini-Cooper in January 1962. BMC worried it wouldn't sell but high profile motor sport success soon meant it became the classless car everyone wanted.