Lot details Registration No: S470SRD Chassis No: 160454 Mot Expiry: March 2010
After almost 5.5 million had been made, the last Mini rolled off the production line at Longbridge on October 4, 2000. Alec Issigonis' purest design redefined the small car, this masterpiece of packaging making best use of its tiny - just over 10ft - length to seat four adults. Revolutionary features such as the gearbox tucked under the transverse engine, tiny 10in wheels and innovative architecture - putting the body seams on the outside - made use of every cubic inch of volume. Its sparkling handling made it irresistible to the tuners, including John Cooper, whose hotted-up Mini attracted the attentions of BMC and Issigonis. From 1961, the factory offered the Cooper as a regular production model, with the still more powerful Cooper `S' available from 1963. Soon, as well as being driven by royalty, Minis were practically unbeatable in rallies. By 1964, the Cooper had grown to its definitive 1275cc incarnation. The marque was rebranded Rover in 1989 and the Cooper name, which had made the cars so famous in the `60s, was revived in 1989 by John Cooper Garages, though Cooper production was taken back in-house by Rover in 1990. Fuel injection arrived in 1991, with twin-point injection and taller gearing in 1997, making the car quieter and more relaxed. Cooper Sports all came with 13x6in alloy wheels, Sport Pack wide wheelarches and a host of extras including four auxiliary lamps up front and a CD player/radio.
The vendor tells us that this particular example has just received two new front wings and A-posts, then been resprayed in its original colour. A new clutch has been fitted and it has been serviced, he adds. There have been just two previous owners, and the low mileage of 46,000 appears to be substantiated by six previous MOT certificates. The car comes with its original service folder, and spare keys. An opportunity to purchase one of the last examples of this iconic model in its 50th anniversary year.
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