Immaculate low mileage final edition classic Mini Cooper
Rare to find in this condition and with this mileage
Very low mileage supported by MOT history
Vast history file including lots of invoices and old tax discs
Beautiful Nightfire Red metallic paintwork
Mostly standard car but with some discreet, tasteful modifications
Long MOT to January 2024
The Appeal
The classic Mini had soldiered on for decades after its 60s heyday before Rover realised what a gem it had in its midst. By reintroducing the Cooper in 1990 and then progressively improving the model it gained a new lease of life and a legion of new fans. It is that clever rejuvenation which made the second-generation car possible.
This 1999 Cooper, finished in gorgeous Nightfire Red metallic, is one of the last cars built, a ‘MkVII’ with twin point injection and relocated radiator. It is rare to find a Cooper with this combination of immaculate condition and low mileage and it has clearly been cared for. Distinctive, very useable and giving access to a vibrant enthusiast scene, this beautiful car looks ready for summer shine and shows.front.jpg503.68 KB
Standard factory interior in very good condition with only very minor wear
Attractive wood veneer dashboard in good condition
Aftermarket premium Alpine sound system with PG Tantrum 400.4 amplifier in boot and additional speakers in rear parcel shelf
Front and rear seatbelts fitted
Door cards and fittings appear like new
Full length dashboard model with auxiliary gauges in centre
Original buyers of the first 1960s Minis would have found this final edition model both familiar and remarkable at the same time. Rover cleverly stuck to the simplicity of the original whilst making it considerably more luxurious, exemplified by the lovely full length wood veneer dashboard with its cream-backed dials and gauges.
The interior of this low mileage car is in very good condition, the only deterioration being very minor, not necessarily immediately visible and mostly down to the penny pinching ethos prevalent when Rover specified the car at the factory. The cream leather gearlever shows signs of wear – likely easily solved by sourcing a replacement – and the driver’s seat side bolster has cracks in the vinyl. Again, this looks like it could be easily repaired. The car is fitted with front and rear seatbelts.
Elsewhere the interior is close to immaculate. The door cards are perfect, the handles complete and showing virtually no wear. The duo tone steering wheel has a light sheen of wear but is otherwise excellent. There is a mark on the dash top above the ashtray that looks like it would clean off.
The attractive wood veneer dashboard is in good condition. There appears to be some light delamination along the top and bottom edges but this is very difficult to see and equally could be the light. The buyer may wish to check this.
The headlining is very good as are the vinyl side trims. For completeness there is slight discolouration of the offside rear trim around the rear window, as shown in the photographs.
There is an aftermarket premium quality Alpine sound system. This is complemented by a PG Tantrum 400.4 amplifier in the boot connected to the two discreet speakers cut into the rear parcel shelf.
The last MOT contained an advisory for a front seat belt buckle.int.jpg300.65 KB
The Exterior
Unmarked Nightfire Red metallic paintwork in excellent condition
Lights and chrome in superb condition
New Yokohama 13inch tyres fitted with good tread
Factory standard alloy wheels in very good, unmarked condition
White stripes and roof accentuate the paintwork
The final versions of the Cooper got bigger wheels and purposeful driving lights but it all remained true to the essence of these deceptively capable little cars.
This car is finished in Nightfire Red metallic, one of the most popular colours for this era of Cooper, with white stripes and a white roof added extra impact. A careful study of the photographs reveals that the car is immaculate: we were unable to find any marks or damage to any of the bodywork, trim or panels. Clearly this is a remarkable testament to its three - technically four when including the original, pre-rigestered dealer - owners.
There are some light marks on the inside of the boot, likely caused by luggage but otherwise the car is unmarked.
The pretty 13inch factory alloys, shod with quality Yokohama tyres, are equally immaculate. They appear to have been refurbished but this looks to have been done to a very high standard.
The Mot had an advisory for windscreen damage but we were unable to see what this refers to in the photographs. back.jpg407.27 KB
The Mechanics
Classic 1275cc 4cylinder engine with twin-point fuel injection
Front mounted radiator
4spd manual gearbox
Huge history file covering ongoing servicing and maintenance work
MOT to January 2024 with minor advisories for front wheel bearings, front shock absorbers, oil leak and steering arm dust cover
Modified twin-exit exhaust fitted
The final versions of the Cooper were the last to use the long-lived 1275cc engine. It was fitted with twin-point fuel injected to improve performance and reliability and the radiator was also moved to the front of the car for improved access during maintenance. Like all manual Minis, it has a four speed gearbox.
This very low mileage Cooper has covered less than 30,000 miles, of which under 6,000 have been since 2006. This careful use is supported by an extensive history file. While we were unable to check the file in detail it indicates fastidious ownership, right down to the original tax discs.
The car appears to be mostly standard, the only modifications being light and ones that enhance the car’s character. It has a big bore twin-exit stainless steel exhaust and there is a K&N air filter fitted.
Minis are mechanically simple and therefore generally reliable and robust cars to own. They are backed by inexpensive spares and a network of enthusiastic specialist repairers. This car has MOT to January 2024, the test showing minor advisories for the front shock absorbers and wheel bearings, a slight oil leak and deterioration of the steering arm dust cover. The MOT history indicates that the car was off the road between the 2021 and 2023 tests.
The Mini put wheels beneath growing families but it was the Cooper that showed what it was really capable of. Arguably the original ‘hot hatch’, before hatchbacks were a thing, it is the road-going equivalent of a go-kart and heaps of fun.
This very low mileage Cooper has clearly been well maintained as the remarkable condition and thick history file attest. It looks gorgeous in Nightfire Red metallic and begging to be driven and enjoyed.
Notice to bidders
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