This is a unique, restored, low mileage, matching numbers and rust free example of the ultimate specification of Mini (the final Mini Cooper Sportspack). That specification is taken further with over £11,000 of recent dream mechanical motorsport upgrades.
The colour scheme is hens teeth in rareness, combined with a carbon roof, arches and interior, most of her interior has been recovered or re-invented using the highest quality materials, including an in car touch screen Android sat nav and Pioneer sound system.
If you know your cars, if you’re into motorsport, you will appreciate where the £11,000 has been spent. Some of the upgrades are so expensive that we see them once in a blue moon. The cumulation is a Mini with dramatically reduced weight and significantly improved stopping power, without sacrificing comfort.
The power generated feels rocket fuelled, albeit I have no spec sheet for her engine. It’s incredible to behind the wheel of, terrific and/or terrifying fun. She combines minimal weight with what feels like raw power and that iconic, classic Mini, rally winning handling.
There is no rust. Her frames are brand new. Her interior is all new, custom and probably cost in excess of £3-4,000 alone.
Basic Specification
Coming out of the factory, this final generation of Mini (1996-2001) was the most powerful, the most reliable, the safest, the most fuel efficient and comfiest, the most useable and fun of all factory produced Mini’s. It was a game changer, combining the high performance Cooper engine with reliable modern injection technology, with air bags and crash beams, a higher ratio fourth gear for motorways, significant sound deadening for longer journeys. They were so far improved that on their launch the price ramped up by 63% (1995 vs 1996), today they are significantly more expensive than your standard Mini.
The owner of this Mini then had her completely restored so that she is rust free. They added the carbon roof and details, they upgraded her interior, they changed her subframes for new and then they spent probably £10k+ on a dream mechanical wish list of stuff. Below I have summarised the most important aspects.
- KAD aluminium rear disc brake conversion, replacing the historically primitive and very heavy rear brake drums.
- Mini Sport 4pot 8.4” aluminium front calliper conversion, replacing the less effective and heavier standard callipers. With the above, these reduce brake fade, improve stopping power and reduce the weight by around 10kg.
- GAZ rear beam conversion, replacing the super heavy standard rear subframe and saving a further 20-30kg in weight.
- KAD alloy Mini radius competition swing arms, these are designed for the most arduous competition use, reduce weight by 10kg and cost £700 alone.
- GAZ coil overs front and rear, Mini Sport 1.5 negative camber front arms and Mini Sport Adjustable tie rods to improve handling, costing £700+.
Other upgrades include my favourite Superflow exhaust (the best exhaust in my opinion, it sounds and feels amazing, totally altering the gas flow), her sump guard, spotlights, LED headlight conversion, K&N indiction system, the removable metal front end (for easy mechanical work), the custom made aluminium boot petrol tank, extra engine stabilisers etc etc.
Key parts renewed include the subframe mentioned, the coolant reservoir and alternator (common expensive failures).
This is a beautiful example without rust, but she does have some small marks or blemishes here and there as you would expect from a car that isn't brand new. I would note a slight synchro noise if you change down from third or second and ram it in, but not when you take care and it doesn't hold you back behind the wheel.
Answers to some common questions. Her registration plate is included and is factory original. Her colour scheme was factory, it’s just very rare. The carbon roof and features are aftermarket and cost several thousand pounds.
More Photographs
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