Description
My name is Paul and pleased to present my stunning sympathetically restored mini-Cooper MPI Sportback for sale. Throughout there has been a focus on celebrating the originality of its era. Watchers will note a price reduction to incentivize a real enthusiast to own this very rare mini. I have owned the Cooper Sport since 2009, with just three owners under its belt. Registered March 2000 badged as a 500; with plague in the glove box and interior enhancements (see photographs).
Professionally restored to the original specification fixtures by Wood and Pecket, Dorchester Mini, as example. Original handbooks and service books as both sets of keys. An example of recent MOT: May 2025 36, 822 - Pass with no advisories.
Finished in Solar Red and Old English White roof with a sumptuous half-leather interior (see photos). This combination was available as optional extras and is seldom seen, it really suits the Mini shape and gives it a baby Rolls Royce appeal. The Cooper Sport was the final edition of the classic Mini. Each car was built by BMW to a remarkably high specification, Sportspack wheel arches, 13'' alloy wheels. Factory fitted alarm and immobilizer, side impact beams.
During restoration the mini was fitted with premium Yokohama tyres and to improve the 63bhp, the mini was fitted with RC40 stainless exhaust, wide bore 52mm throttle body, light wheel, "high lift rockers", the main reason "high lift" rockers, easy bolt on performance. The "high lift" rockers provide a ratio of 1. 5 vs the stock 1. 25. (The "roller tip" type also has a 1. 5 ratio). Valve clearances then opened up by . 003" over recommended settings. Using the 1. 5 ratio not only increases the maximum lift, but it also means that the valve is open approximately 20% more at any given point- although opening and closing periods remain the same. This vastly improves volumetric efficiency and therefore power output. All this, with the other upgrades giving an extra 15 to 20 per cent power over the original 85bhp and she handles it well. Restoration (costing in excess of 40k).
Including two pack professionals refinish, completely waxoiled to future proof the body. Rebuilt, and upgraded engine, gearbox includes advanced baulk rings and selector forks, taller gearing so long-distance cruising is a breeze. New: brakes, bushes, seals, rubbers, front screen, original spec roof lining. Upgrade to hi-low suspension. Immaculate, no rust, one of the best ever offered for sale. Finished in Solar Red and Old English White roof with a sumptuous interior (see photos). This combination was available on the optional extras list and is seldom seen, it really suits the Mini shape and gives it a baby Rolls Royce appeal. The Cooper Sport was the final edition of the classic Mini. Each car was built by the now owned BMW factory to a remarkably high specification which included Rallye-style fog and spot lamps, Sportspack wheel arches, 13'' alloy wheels, full or half leather trim, chrome bezel gauges and a walnut sumptuous dash with magnolia faced dials. Factory fitted alarm and immobilizer, side impact beams.
The heavily revised post-1996 Mini and further enhanced in the final 500 run in 2000 sits on 13-inch wheels and the car’s distinctive side-mounted radiator was replaced with a more conveniently located new front-mounted unit that allowed the car to meet new limits on drive-by noise levels. A better heater, while higher gearing provided a more relaxing drive. Fitted with an 85bhp, twin-point fuel-injected 1275cc A-Series engine, complimented by the wide bore stainless steel millennium exhaust system, recently uprated intake to the injection system, new fuel pump and sender unit. Coolant is, Evans Classic Cool 180° contains no water eliminating the problems caused by water-based coolants, increasing reliability and extending engine life.
Fitted with the most often talked about "high lift rockers", the main reason "high lift" rockers were designed to allow easy bolt on performance. The "high lift" rockers provide a ratio of 1. 5 vs the stock 1. 25. (The "roller tip" type also has a 1. 5 ratio). Valve clearances then opened up by . 003" over recommended settings. Using the 1. 5 ratio not only increases the maximum lift, but it also means that the valve is open approximately 20% more at any given point- although opening and closing periods remain the same. This vastly improves volumetric efficiency and therefore power output. All this, with the other upgrades giving an extra 15 to 20 per cent power over the original 85bhp and she handles it well.
The end for the classic Cooper MPI Sport finally came in 2000, when the last of ‘Issigonis babies’ rolled of the production line at Longbridge to the soundtrack of the film The Italian Job and thunderous applause from the gathered crowd of workers, management, and journalists. And now, 24 years on, one of the ‘last build’ mini makes a tempting classic proposition and your chance to own one of the best-preserved mini-Cooper MPI Sports ‘Issigonis’ babies’ – as you will see from the photos’ she is stunning; no rust or further restoration required a real enthusiast's car.
