Built in May 2001, two months before official start of sales
Originally a demonstrator for main dealership Derek Woodman of Blackpool
Complete and comprehensive service history and original build data
The Appeal
Some cars are a bit more significant than they first appear – and this is one of them. It’s a lot more special than just an ordinary MINI, predating the car’s original on-sale date and supplied new as a sales demonstrator ahead of its official launch.
The early-specification MINI Cooper may be an up and coming classic in its own right now that 23 years have passed since BMW/Rover codename R50 was given an impossible task – that of replacing a global icon – but this one is one of the first. The very first. From the initial week of production, in fact, and manufactured two months before the MINI officially went on sale.
According to BMW Group build records (included) and the MINI Y-register, which exists to keep records of the first BMW MINIs, Y593 REC is MINI number 473 – its chassis number of TC00483 slightly misleading, as series production began at TC00010.
It rolled off the production line at Cowley, Oxford, on May 22, 2001 finished in Chilli Red with Kaleidoscope Red and black half-leather trim, with an HEA job control marker on its build card – that means it was quality inspected at each stage of production as it would become a dealer demonstrator. Most of the 600-or-so Y-plate MINIs were, as the majority of customers preferred to wait a few weeks for the new-style number plates to appear in September.
In the case of this example, it was one of two MINI Coopers supplied to the Derek Woodman BMW/MINI main dealership in Blackpool and was originally registered as C19 PER, all of which is recorded in the original service book. It has been privately owned since, with two long term owners before the vendor, and comes with a comprehensive history file including some sought after gems such as the original ‘START ME’ windscreen hanger found only on the earliest cars, as well as the correct MINI-logo pedals that were only fitted to the very first cars off the line.
It's an unrestored example that’s still in great condition for a 23-year-old car, and is a sure-fire investment for its next owner as nostalgia around the BMW-generation MINIs continues to evolve, and the MINI Y-Register grows continually more active on the cult car scene.
The History and Paperwork
UK V5C
MOT July 2024
Copy of BMW build record showing it was manufactured on May 22, 2001
Owner’s manual and wallet
One key
All original booklets and handbooks including START ME windscreen hanger
Supplied new as a demonstrator to Derek Woodman BMW/MINI in Blackpool
Original PDI stamp from MINI head office in Bracknell before initial service stamps by Derek Woodman Ltd for first two years
PDI’d on 18/6/2001 and first registered in Blackpool on 6/7/2001 – the day before the official start of retail sales
Service stamps at 6,120, 22,129, 35,288, 51,117, 58,321, 65,440 and 88,860 miles with subsequent services recorded on separate invoices, most recently at 99,042 miles
Presentation folder containing invoices and service records since 2010, along with old MOTs, some tax discs
The Condition
Classic Cooper colour scheme of Chilli Red with Pure White roof and wheels
Very clean and tidy overall condition with no evidence of any corrosion to the bodywork
Pure White mirrors
‘Chilli Pack’ extras – half-leather trim, trip computer, white alloys, electric mirrors, fog lamps
Excellent black plastic lower body trim in original black
Factory 15-inch alloy wheels in good order, missing one centre cap but the vendor has ordered a replacement
Recent new tyres all-round with invoice
Lovely straight panels with no notable dents or scratches other than minor ones shown in photos, commensurate with age and mileage.
Some very minor marks on front scuttle panel and rear tailgate where vinyl stripes were removed – barely noticeable
One small patch of faded paint on rear bumper
Original paint in largely superb condition
Appears sound underneath with no corrosion advisories ever issued at MOT
Front fog lamps
Tiny dent on nearside of bonnet
Straight panel gaps and shut lines
Factory option Chilli Pack part leather sports seats with Kaleidoscope Red inserts
Excellent condition seats with only very minor bolster wear on driver’s side
Very clean seats and carpets
Correct MINI-branded pedals
Genuine MINI velour floor mats
Good door cards
Chrome-effect gearknob
Twin cup holders
Very well-equipped as a dealer demo with extra kit including
Aftermarket Pioneer CD-Aux stereo with excellent sound quality
Headlining has dropped very slightly at rear
Airbag warning light does not always extinguish – the vendor believes this to be down to the connectors under the seats
Air conditioning blows cool but not cold
The Mechanics
1.6-litre ‘Tritec’ engine
Frequently maintained and serviced with good maintenance history
Five-speed manual transmission
Nearly new exhaust system
Recent new ABS block and alternator
Starts and runs well with no excessive smoke, holds a steady temperature and idles sweetly
Fantastic handling and lively performance
Smooth gear changes and strong brakes – no transmission noise at all
Handbrake would benefit from adjustment as only works at top of travel – but does engage
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.
Please see our FAQs
here
and our Terms & Conditions
here
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
2001 Mini Cooper Launch Car
About Max Bids
The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.
Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.
Anti-sniping
Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.
Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.
Auto-bidding increments
If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.
Bid Amount
Increment
£0 to £9,999
£100.00
£10,000 to £49,999
£250.00
£50,000 to £99,999
£500.00
£100,000 +
£1,000.00
Automatically outbid immediately
When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.
You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.
Matching max bids
When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.
Pre-authorisation
We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.
What are pre-bids?
A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.
Problem with your bid
Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.