By the 1990s the classic Mini had come a long way from its basic origins. Still as diminutive as ever, but now with modern engine management and a more comfortable and better appointed cabin. Towards the end of the decade there were a number of limited editions including the desirable Cooper Sport.
Whilst in the care of the previous owner, the Cooper was treated to a full nut and bolt bare metal restoration following which it was little used and dry stored, and the current condition shows that. The Current owner is an ex-bodyshop man so knows what to look for in a restoration and bought based on the standard of the work.
It has just been serviced and MOT’d, which it passed with no advisories.
The car comes with a sheaf of previous MOTs showing its mileage is genuine, and a few receipts for maintenance over the years. It comes with the original book pack of service book with early stamps, owners handbook and even the salesman’s business card from Colliers Mini dealer in Birmingham. The V5 is in the current owners name
The black leather bucket seats match the black rear bench and door cards and give an instant touch of sportiness, backed up by the small three metal spoked alcantara steering wheel. The condition is excellent of all the seat fabric with no marks or sagging. The steering wheel has almost no wear and the door furniture is red to match the car's paint.
There is an immaculate glossy wooden dashboard, housing sepia-faced dials, the main ones in front of the driver and three smaller sub dials set in the centre and being such a late car it has seatbelts all round.
The quality of the restoration is evident looking at the deep gloss of the red paint, it is immaculate with virtually no marks to be found on the panels which are free of dings and have good shut lines, and there is a black contrast roof as well as the wheel arch lips of the Sport model.
It has new Yokohama tyres fitted to the black 13” alloy wheels, which are unmarked. The brightwork looks superb, there is no pitting or marks to the bumpers or light bezels.
The engine has been tweaked with Swiftune parts - a well known Mini tuning company - to give a boost to performance, and as well as having just been serviced it has a new battery and tyres. Glancing under the body, the exhaust was recent with the restoration and the suspension bushes are visibly new, in fact following its rebuild everything perishable has been replaced. As you can see there is no battery strap securing the battery in place so that will need addressing before it is driven.
There's nothing like an original Mini, and the later models offer all the charm of the early cars with a bit more usability, and having been fully restored this should be like driving away in a new car - no rust and everything working as it should! Having been showroom stored since then it hasn’t aged since coming out of the workshop.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
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1997 Mini Cooper Sport
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