・Built in the last few months of classic Mini production
・Full Cooper Sport spec

・Low mileage

On the 4th October 2000, the final Mini rolled off the production line, ending a run of over 41 years. During that time, as you’d imagine, the exact specification had changed somewhat but the basic recipe remained constant. Small, light and nimble, it was still miles more fun than most other cars on the road.

That final car was a Rover Mini Cooper Sport like this one (albeit in red), with a 62hp fuel-injected 1275cc A series engine driving the front wheels through a four speed gearbox. Doesn’t sound much, does it? You can probably buy a more powerful lawnmower these days. But bear in mind that at 693kg, the Mini weighs less than a Mark 1 Lotus Elise and, as we all know, it’s not what you’ve got, it’s how you use it. And with its cheeky looks and go kart handling, the classic Mini is as entertaining to own and drive as it ever was.

This British Racing Green example hails from the final few months of production with an incept date of 19th July 2000. It’s currently in the hands of a former racing driver who used to drive Minis in Rallycross in the seventies but has been up to no such antics, enjoying a pampered life in a garage and covering a few hundred miles a year. The original intention when he acquired it from a local friend in 2018 was to do some light mechanical work with his son but life has got in the way and the car has mainly been to and from shows, continuing the pattern of usage of the previous owner who bought it in 2016 from a dealer in Tunbridge Wells. In fact, the only work of note that’s been needed has been a new heater matrix and a clutch slave cylinder seal. Otherwise, with the limited mileage that it’s covered, all that has been needed is just oil and filter changes which have been taken care of at home.

The vendor has recently been offered a very tasty V8 Sebring MGB GT (we’ve seen the pics) and, with the garage space for only one car, has decided to let the Mini go to a new owner.

The car is accompanied by its original wallet of manuals and a service record stamped up to 2004 by main dealers and independents to 2016, with supporting invoices attached to many of the pages. There’s also a collection of invoices from the likes of Mini Spares and Mini Sport which are mostly for sundry items from the last five years, together with a selection of old MOT certificates. It has been recently tested and the current MOT expires on 26 May 2022.

Anyone who remembers the stark minimalism of the mark 1 Mini interior may be surprised by the ‘Mini in a posh frock’ leather seats and full dashboard from the other end of the production run. True, by modern standards it’s not loaded with kit but the essentials are there and are in full working order. The turned aluminium dash is simple but classy and is topped with a stitched leather finish that complements the two-tone leather seats which are in great condition, front and rear. The characteristic canted steering wheel is also leather-covered, though showing some wear to the light grey leather. Presumably to offset the extra weight of the leather, the doors sport lightweight drilled aluminium handles on the inside, though it could just be because they look cool. The headlining is all secure and a tilting glass sunroof adds some extra airiness.

In the boot there is the Mini-branded toolkit, a fuel tank and, to be frank, not a great deal of luggage space, but you knew that already.

Finished in British Racing Green under a silver roof with bonnet stripes to match, this Cooper Sport certainly cuts a dash. Four spotlights are complemented by headlights which have been converted to Halogen bulbs which means no shortage of illumination in the dark lanes. The car presents very well with a lovely shine and good chrome work. There are a few blemishes which apparent on closer inspection, however: a car park ding in the driver’s door, a ripple in the bonnet on the driver’s side, a small dink in the passenger side bonnet stripe and a few patches where the paintwork is bubbling. This is to be found to varying degrees on the driver’s side on the lower front wing, behind the driver’s door, below the rear side window and under the windscreen and, on the passenger side, on the sill below the door, at the rear of the door skin, at the base of the front wing and under the headlight. None of this looks to be structural however and should avoid becoming so if addressed in the not too distant future.

The car runs on enormous (for a Mini) 13 inch wheels which are set into flared arches and are all in good condition aside from a few light kerbing marks and which are shod with a fairly fresh set of Yokohama tyres. The decals are in good condition and the car will come with its original plates bearing the reg W749 SGJ, though it has been MOT’d most recently on its current private plate, P51ODT.

The diminutive engine compartment has not grown over the years, even if the number of components that have to be squeezed in there have. The modern ECU was certainly never planned for in the original design. That said, it does all fit and although it’s not quite as easy to work on as the early cars, the engine is still very accessible for the home mechanic.

It fires up first time and has a suitably rorty exhaust note when revved. On the road it has plenty of go to keep up with modern traffic and will even reportedly cruise at 80 where it’s legal to do so. There are no untoward noises, just the usual Mini sound effects, and the standard-issue go kart handling is present and correct. The only item to report is that the owner believes that the synchro on second gear is starting to go as it will sometimes crunch a little if changing down from third without double declutching and it will jump out of gear when coming sharply off the throttle after hard acceleration in second. While this will need addressing at some point, it is perfectly possible to drive around it in the meantime.

In sales terms at least, BMW have been successful in squeezing as much as possible from the Mini brand. But as the years tick by since the end of classic Mini production, the original is becoming an increasingly desirable antidote to some of the excesses of modern motoring and, while you might not want to entertain the idea of a lengthy daily commute in one, there remains huge appeal in the prospect of Mini ownership. The Rover Mini Cooper Sport, to give it its rather lengthy full title, was a fitting swansong and, with parts availability and club support as strong as ever, it’s a popular choice.

This example is fabulous to look at and fun to drive and, although not without a few jobs to take care of over time, should be perfectly usable straight away. With values of classic Minis on the ascendency, if you’re considering taking the plunge then it may be best to do so before they move out of reach. And providing you’re up for some minor fettling, then this one should provide many smiles per gallon.

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