1997 Mini Cooper Sportspack

Highlights

• 1275 Cooper with additional performance upgrades
• Straight-cut gearbox
• Excellent interior
• Previously restored
• Impressive wheels

Overview

The original Mini was one of those cars which went on forever. It was born out of the Suez crisis in the 1950s and the resulting spike in fuel prices, and kept receiving improvements for the rest of the century. So by the time this Mini Cooper was built in 1997 it was a far cry from the original Mini. The 848 cc engine had been increased to 1,275 cc, and the performance had been transformed correspondingly.

A similar transformation had gone on in the car’s cabin. Where it had been a bare-bones driving experience, it now featured a highly polished walnut dashboard, seatbelts for all passengers, and even headrests. Budget-conscious motorists of the 1950s would have been in awe of such luxury.

The example offered here has been the recipient of much work and expenditure. Having previously been damaged, it was rebuilt and restored by a previous owner, who also undertook some mechanical tuning. As well as rebuilding the engine, replacing the subframes and giving the car a full respray, they fitted a straight-cut gearbox, a large-bore exhaust, and an improved air intake, as well as a bespoke throttle body.

With fewer than 10k miles covered since, it now drives even better than before, with the owner reporting sporty performance and suggesting it would be enjoyed even more on track. It looks the part too, with plenty of chrome trim to give it that classic appeal, contrasting well against the flashy deep dish alloy wheels and widened arches.

There was a time when everyone learned to drive in a Mini, or at least knew someone who had one. If this was you then this car represents a step up from what you might remember. It’ll provide plenty of smiles whenever you perform a perfectly executed downshift and listen to the resulting exhaust note as you pull away.

History and documentation

• Registered 12 Sep 1997
• Collection of invoices on file for parts and servicing
• Current MOT with no advisories expires 3 Oct 2025
• V5 present in owner’s name
• Eleven former keepers
• Purchased by the current owner in Dec 2023
• This car has previously been registered as a category D insurance loss — vehicle damaged but repairable in Oct 2003 — but it has since been restored
• The odometer was replaced around 2012 and around 100k miles; the current mileage is estimated to be around 137,500 miles

Interior

• The interior of this Mini is luxuriously appointed when compared to the original ‘50s cars
• Plush seats with headrests
• Walnut dashboard
• Bluetooth stereo
• The upholstery is very well presented, with only light creasing and a few small scuffs
• Four seatbelts
• Carpets with ‘Mini’ branded footwell mats
• The door cards feature storage pockets and drilled aluminium handles
• Mini Cooper ergonomic steering wheel
• The burr walnut dashboard is highly polished
• Magnolia instrument faces
• Clock, voltmeter, and oil temperature gauge
• Pioneer stereo; he seller notes that the radio reception is not great but it provides both USB and Bluetooth connections
• Additional speakers fitted into the rear parcel shelf
• Factory-fitted immobiliser
• Black vinyl headlining in good condition
• Small, uncarpeted boot to the rear
• Full size spare wheel in the boot, with jack

Exterior

• Finished in an attractive shade of green (believed to be Almond Green) with a white roof
• Classic Mini styling with plenty of chrome trim
• The paint is generally good, with only a few small chips and scratches, having previously been resprayed
• Body panels well presented
• Some small areas of bubbling
• Slight cracking near the bootlid hinges
• No obvious dents that we could see
• The driver’s door received new hinges in Nov 2017
• Impressive 13-inch JBW alloy wheels
• 175/50R13 tyres fitted
• There are some scuffs to the wheel rims
• Two wheels were balanced in Jan 2024
• Austin Cooper bonnet badge
• Headlights clear and bright
• Auxiliary driving lights
• Heated rear windscreen
• In Apr 2024 the front wing indicator repeater lamps were replaced, the rear window seals were replaced, and the screenwash system was repaired
• The chrome bumpers and grille are well polished
• There is some pitting on the chrome driving lights and headlight bezels
• The underside of the car was photographed when the current owner took possession, although it’s only covered 2,500 since; it looks clean and tidy, with some surface corrosion
• Large-bore exhaust
• Subframes reportedly replaced by a previous owner

Mechanical

• 1,275 cc, four cylinder, A-series engine
• Four-speed transmission
• Front-wheel drive
• The engine was reportedly previously rebuilt, along with a new straight-cut gearbox being fitted and an uprated clutch
• Bespoke throttle body
• The engine bay is clean and tidy
• Ramair induction kit with cone filter and air ducts
• Silicone coolant hoses
• Front-mounted radiator
• Coil pack ignition
• Servo-assisted brakes
• In Apr 2024 the front suspension geometry was measured and set, new front bump stops were fitted, the clutch was adjusted and the hydraulic fluid was changed
• The seller tells us that they have recently installed a high capacity battery
• The car is said to start first time, and drive very well

Summary

A great example of a late Mini Cooper, which has been sensibly restored and considerably improved. You can’t help but grin when driving a classic Mini, especially when it’s a fast one and this one looks to be a cracker.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire.