1998 Rover Mini Cooper

Highlights

• Stunning Rover Mini Cooper

• Less than 22,000 miles from new

• Fully documented history

• Rare full factory leather

• Burr walnut fascia and cream leather details

Overview

 Icon is arguably one of the most over-used words in the English language, but where the Mini is concerned it’s entirely deserved – the word is doing no heavy lifting when it’s referring to a car that was part of the fabric of society over a 40+ year production run, and in many ways still is. 

By 1989, 30 years since it made its debut, the Mini’s glory had faded, but it wasn’t done yet – not least thanks to a skunkworks project at Rover Groups Gaydon test facility, where several cars were cooked up in a Portakabin. On the back of the Rover 220 Turbo Coupé, the MG RV8, the original Land Rover Discovery and the Rover 820 Tickford Turbo came a revitalised Mini Cooper, sanctioned by none other than John Cooper himself.

The rebirth of the Cooper reinvigorated both the Mini and its devoted fan base. Mechanically, it was powered by the 1,275cc A-Plus Series engine, borrowed from the Metro, which provided a healthy dose of extra performance compared with its predecessors. The engine delivered 61bhp, but thanks to the car’s flyweight nature, it felt much punchier.

Throughout the nineties, the Cooper continued to evolve. Special editions appeared frequently, as Rover soon realised that a lot of people buying Minis were collectors and not those who used them every day.  

By 1996, the Mini had multi-point fuel injection, side-impact bars and airbags – but it was far from modern, and it’s fair to say that this one has been cherished as a classic for pretty much all of its life. 

Registered new by Wadham Kenning of Guildford on 27th November 1998 and sold to its first private owner four months later, with just 10 miles on the clock, the original sales invoice is included in the history file. Three subsequent owners all cherished and garaged the car, which is now offered to the market in collector-quality condition with less than 22,000 miles on the clock.

History and documentation

• First registered in the UK on 27 November 1998 by Wadham Kenning of Guildford, Surrey

• Sold to its first private owner in Woking, Surrey on 11th March 1999, with just 10 miles on the clock

• UK V5C in the name of the vendor

• Only four owners from new

• First owner kept the car until 2013, when it had 13,785 miles on the clock

• Current mileage of below 22,000

• Unrestored and always garaged

• Two keys

•  Full service history, most of it from Trident Garages, an MG Rover specialist

• Full, fresh MOT will be supplied on sale

 Interior

• Rare factory option full black leather velour upholstery in immaculate order

• Cream leather highlights on gear surround and steering wheel

• Matching black vinyl door cards

• Original Philips Mini-branded radio-cassette player

• Airbag

• Central locking

• Immobiliser

• Rear seat belts

• Carpets in great condition, protected by genuine Cooper accessory floor mats with black and red leather edging

• Alternate aluminium Cooper gear knob included in sale

• Headlining in great condition

• Original spare wheel, jack and tools

Exterior

• Original Flame Red paint in superb overall order

• No evidence of external corrosion and all the common Mini rust areas, such as body seams and flitch panels, are in sound order

• A single rust bubble on one wing bottom

• Boot floor, inner arches and sills all appear solid

• Original windscreen, with serial number

• Underside and sills appear to be in excellent order and have never been welded

• Cooper bonnet stripes and decals

• Wide arch Sport pack

• Four Lucas driving lamps

• 13x6 inch Minilite-style Cooper Sport wheels with brand new Yokohama tyres

• Original dealer-branded number plates 

• Fitted car cover included

Mechanical

• 1,275cc A-Plus engine

• Multi-point injection

• 63bhp

• 0-60mph in 12.0secs

• 95mph top speed

• Four-speed manual gearbox in sump

• Rare aluminium rocker cover
• The seller reports that the suspension and exhaust have been renewed in the last 12 months
• Original yellow plastic coolant and brake fluid labels

• Recently serviced 

• Recent new battery

• Reported by the vendor to drive without fault, and is always huge fun

 Summary

The last-of-the-line Minis are just as collectable as the early models, and this one is perhaps as good as they get – a completely original, unrestored car that’s in stunning condition inside and out, and has covered less than 21,000 miles from new. 

Not only is this an all-time British legend, but it’s a genuine collectors’ car that would be a fine addition to any collection. It’s stunningly presented, perfectly preserved and a fabulous investment for the future, as well as an absolute hoot to drive. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Staffordshire.