Highlights

Comprehensively restored to a high standard, using new heritage panels where needed and genuine or upgraded parts
Recent respray including all exterior and interior doors and door shuts
Most consumable parts are new or reconditioned
Accompanied by a sizeable history file
Factory John Cooper styling
New MOT till January 2026

The Appeal

By the late 1990s, time was running out for the original Mini. It was only going to be so long that they could keep building a car that was essentially unchanged since the late 1950s. However, Rover wanted the original Mini to go out with a bang, continuing to offer yet more enticing special edition models. For fans of the little car’s performance pedigree, the John Cooper is the one to have.

John Cooper and Mini go back a long way. The Formula One engineer was a friend of its designer, Alec Issigonis, and he recognised the Mini’s potential as a performance car by upgrading the drivetrain. BMC management agreed, and thus in 1961, the Mini Cooper was born.

This 1997 example is the 1.3-litre MPI Cooper with a four-speed manual gearbox. As you can see in the photographs, this is a lovely example, with the John Cooper styling package. It's undergone a great deal of work during recent years. The vendor informs us that it’s had thousands spent on restoration and yet more thousands worth of new parts. The bodywork was stripped, and any worn-out panels were replaced with new heritage items. Old Skool Minis carried out the bodywork repair, while Chameleon Classic Cars completed a full respray in the correct pearlescent Tahiti Blue. Mechanically, just about everything has been gone through, with any consumables replaced with new or reconditioned items.

If you’re looking for a classic Mini that’s ready to go, this one ticks all the right boxes. It’s a coveted special edition in a great colour, restored to factory specifications. What’s not to like?!

The History and Paperwork

UK market RHD example
Two former registered keepers
The car was taken off the road in 2009, meaning it was on the road for 12 years with the previous owner and 4 with the vendor
New MOT till January 2026
77,000 miles indicated
Acquired by the vendor in 2019
Accompanied by copious paperwork, including documentation of the reg change in 2009 from ‘PIA 95’ to ‘YEZ 5492’
Private registration included in the sale
Garage-stored
Reportedly matching numbers

The Condition

Resprayed in pearlescent Tahiti Blue to a high standard, including all exterior and interior doors and door shuts
Original shell retained and repaired as necessary
New heritage front panel
2x new heritage front wing panels
New rear valence
Repair work on both arch inner panels
Both sills repaired by previous owner (checked during current resto
Scuttle repaired by previous owner (checked during current resto)
New battery box fitted by previous owner
Old Skool Minis fitted a new dash rail, performed panel repair on both scuttles, new flitch panels and new A panels
Retains John Cooper bonnet stripes, vinyl stickers and Minilite-type alloy wheels
Alternator cover, battery cover, refurbished gear knob and seat extender recently fitted
Well-presented original Monaco light stone beige (half leather) interior with minimal wear for a car of this age
We understand that the cabin electrics and instruments are in good working order

The Mechanics

1.3-litre fuel-injected four-cylinder engine - the largest Mini engine available
Four-speed manual gearbox
Original engine, gearbox and subframes according to the vendor
Original-looking and cleanly presented engine compartment
Comes with original jack
Mechanical overhaul by Old Skool Minis, including general MOT preparation, new coolant and expansion tank cap, lots of wiring work, fitting and aligning fuel tank, fitting a new battery and replacing brake drums

The vendor provides the following list of new parts:

Exhaust system (excluding downpipes)
Exhaust mounts
Expansion tank & cap
Thermostat/thermostat gasket
Radiator fan
Oil breather gasket for clutch housing
5/8 Oil hose connector
Fuel pipe from filter to tank
Rod change gear linkage roll pin
Clutch master cylinder
Clutch slave cylinder
Master cylinder braided houses
Brake lines
Brake hoses
Rear brake drum
Braided master cylinder brake lines
Goodridge servo kit
Refurbished brake callipers with new pistons
Both sets of Brembo brake pads
Both brake discs
Both rear drum brake cylinders
Both brake shoes
Handbrake cable
Brake union
Dampers/Shock absorbers
2 track rod ends
2 bump stops
Set of 16 chrome wheel nuts
Starter motor Idle air control valve
Crank sensor
Temperature water transducer
Injector o rings
Air filter bracket
Engine steady bush & sleeve
Engine steady with bushes
Bonnet release cable
Speedo cable
Filter fuel pipe
Rocker cover cap
Spark plugs
Oil filter
Air filter
Oil Coolant/Antifreeze
Bulkhead insulation
Bonnet insulation
Bonnet seal
All Indicator housings/lens with screws
Number plate lense
Front lens clips on Light bulbs
All light seals
Battery earth
Battery
Boot plugs/grommets
Windscreen washer pump
Rear subframe bolt kit
Wipers and arms
Lots of bolts, washers, pins etc

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:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.

✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand..