Lot details
Registration No: L578BFD
Chassis No: SAXXNNAYCBD046998
Mot Expiry: Dec 2009

The Mini celebrates its 50th birthday this year. Alec Issigonis' purest design redefined the small car, this masterpiece of packaging making best use of its tiny - just over 10ft - length to (just) seat four adults. In production for 41 years, more than 5 million were built, and the most special were the Coopers, named after their creator John Cooper, a race car driver and builder who was captivated by the little car's sparkling handling but was frustrated by the lack of go from the original 34bhp, 848cc engine. Calling on experience gained from his Formula Junior BMC motors, his versions were soon producing a far more useful 55bhp, and a new car - the Mini-Cooper - was born. From 1961, the factory offered the hotted-up Cooper as a regular production model, with the still more powerful Cooper `S' available from 1963. By 1964, the Cooper `S' had grown to its definitive 1275cc incarnation, driven by rock stars and royalty and becoming a world-beating rally car.

Cooper fans wailed when the model was dropped in 1971, but the maestro's John Cooper Garages began quietly converting Minis through the `80s and from September 1990 the Cooper was once again offered as a factory model, though by now all Minis were rebranded Rover and were running 12in wheels. The little car never stopped evolving, and in 1991 gained fuel injection and electronic ignition; in 1996 a driver's airbag was fitted in the steering wheel, along with the radiator being moved around to the front to help comply with noise regulations. The single-point fuel-injected cars like this one produce 63bhp, giving 90mph and retain the Mini's brilliant, entertaining handling. This well kept example, with traditional Cooper white roof, has original half-leather sports interior, Minilite-type wheels and stereo. The vendor states that previous MOTs show it has only been driven 1500 miles in the last 18 months, with mileage now standing at 61,110. "A guaranteed future investment as original Minis are continuously increasing in value", he argues. Reportedly in "excellent overall" condition, this cute-as-a-button Cooper is said to be "ready to drive away" with road fund licence running until December '09.