On October 4, 2000, one of the most famous chapters of British Motoring History drew to a close. On that wet Wednesday the last Mini – a Cooper Sport – came off the line at Rover’s Longbridge factory, 41 years and five million cars after the first example rolled out of the same doors.
 
In its later years Rover steered the car into something with strong appeal for enthusiasts.
Due to the immense popularity of the Sports Pack - an option on 1997-2000 Minis - Rover created a stand-alone model, the Cooper Sport.
 
To distinguish it from Sport Pack option models, the traditional Old English White roof and bonnet stripes were replaced by Platinum Silver. It was available in only four colours – Solar Red, British Racing Green, Tahiti Blue and Anthracite.

It dials up the rarity even further. It is a Cooper Sport 500 – one of the last 500 Minis made. There is a certificate to prove it, and a shoulder bag containing Mini memorabilia handed out with the last 500 cars. It has always been a collectors’ car.

If you missed out or weren't around when those last 500 cars were built, here is your chance to buy what is essentially a brand new one. In its 25 years it has covered just 640 miles. It is as close to collecting it from the showroom in 2000 as you're likely to ever get. Naturally the condition is equally impressive - it is unrestored because it has never been needed thanks to careful storage as part of collections.

British Racing Green is one of MG Rover Group’s best colours – sparkly in bright light and a rich, pearlescent hue that looks terrific against the Mini’s instantly recognisable classic lines – offset in this case by a silver roof and 13-inch alloy wheels. It also has the genuine four-light spot lamp arrangement and high-level brake light, which are key identifiers of the 500-strong limited edition.

It's lovely. The body and paint are free of any major blemishes and beautifully straight and dent-free, there’s no corrosion to be seen in any of the usual Mini places such as in the body seams, around the headlamps or on the lower valances, and the underside is absolutely spotless and still in its factory paint. It’s as close to ‘as new’ as you’ll ever find – just the odd but of surface rust on or around a screwhead or bolt, but otherwise pretty much unused.
 
The 13-inch alloys and green ‘Mini’ wheel centres – a mark of a genuine Cooper Sport – are unmarked.
 
Inside, it has the correct platinum-finish dash and plaque of authenticity, plus smart two-tone Ash Grey and Nickel Silver leather seat facings in great order.

The car also has its highly collectable ‘Mini’ branded Clarion radio-cassette – something that many owners threw away early on for a CD upgrade, but which is highly prized by Mini fanatics today.

 

Under the bonnet lurks the MPi version (for multi-point injection) of the venerable A-Series engine, developing 86bhp. That may not sound much, but in a car as small and light as this it’s plenty – it promises to be an absolute hoot to drive, bouncy ride and all – but to put too many miles on it might ruin it.
 
It starts on the button and sounds lovely and quiet for an A-Series – but then we’d expect no less given the minimal mileage.

This is a genuine collector’s car – a historically important example of the Mini amidst its final glorious fling. A secure investment, and a car that must be preserved.

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.. 

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