Mini Cooper 40th Anniversary | Spotted
New Minis turn 25 this year; the staying power of the original remains unrivalled
How times have changed. These days it has become all too common for cars to be so substantially overhauled not long after launch that the originals become much less desirable. The obsession with the latest software-designed vehicle is taking over, leaving buyers in the lurch; most updates are passed on to existing cars, but not all of them. It would be hard to feel like you’ve got value for money if the manufacturer keeps wanting to change things.
Even in the 20th century, the Mini was the antithesis of that approach. So perfect was the original idea that it remained on sale for more than 40 years without significant alteration. There were updates, revisions, engine upgrades and name changes along the way, but the Mini that entered the 21st century (briefly) was undoubtedly very similar to that which had emerged in the middle of the 20th. Amazing.
Those few nameplates that can mark a 40th anniversary have typically been through a few generations - not the Mini. When its 40th birthday came around in 1999, the resemblance to the 1959 original was plain to see. Of course, by the '90s the Mini had been thoroughly outclassed by contemporary competition like the Ford Ka - and the Metro had been originally conceived to replace it - but the old stager soldiered on.
So while the 40th Cooper only really carried the same trinkets as any other anniversary special - nice wheels, nice leather, some extra badges - it assumed additional significance as the last of its kind. This one is rare as an Old English White 40th, believed to account for no more than 20 per cent of the production run. It’s also unique in the fact that it once resided at the British Motor Museum. Until it was sold by Bonhams in 2003, it lived at Gaydon as a perfect, 50-mile example of the Mini Cooper at the end of its remarkable life. Which is cool. The winning Bonhams bidder kept the Cooper in their collection, meaning that by 2008 it had still only done 61 miles.
Pleasingly, it’s enjoyed a bit more use in recent years, and the 40th today sits with 32,000 miles under its Minilites (complete with body coloured arch extensions). It was mechanically refreshed last year, having spent a few years in dry storage, and is said to be in ‘lovely original condition.’ It looks guaranteed to put a smile on your face, whether in another collection or on the open road.
The asking price is £25k, reflecting this Cooper’s status as one of the special ones. Be in no doubt, Minis are classic cars in demand right now: while there are nice '90s Coopers around for £10k, more than £40,000 is being asked for the very lowest mileage cars. Sometimes original really is best.
SPECIFICATION | MINI COOPER 40TH ANNIVERSARY
Engine: 1,275cc, four-cyl
Transmission: 4-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 63@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 70@3,000rpm
MPG: 43
CO2: 164g/km
Recorded mileage: 32,069
First registered: 1999
Price new: £10,995
Yours for: £24,990
but, love that model.
had one not such wide arches one, long time ago, felt like a sort kart hahah, felt also fast, but was not, felt light and funny, bet this 1999 drives even better.
course the newer models are 'better' but also bigger, more heavy, less retro, although they don't look bad I must say, but put an old model next to a new one and the old one is cute
sadly I have not a picture of my old one, but was blue metallic and had a black vinyl roof.
but as I sais, was a long time ago in 1985 or so when I bought it from a neighbor as a in between car
I ve got a 1980 model fitted with a 1330cc engine , modified head, AC Dodd RS cam etc ,3.4 final drive, it s probably about 90bhp , it s on 10 inch wheels, very good fun to thrash about,I love it.
My Mum had one in the mid-90s, bright blue, alloys and a centre sports exahust. It was the first car I ever drove.
Consindering how small it was, it was very spacious and practical. Very clever car design and a true Britihs icon.
Prices for these have gone mad over the past few years.
I think it was a nostalgia buy as he'd had quite a few Minis in the past!
But although white was a rarer colour I'd still much rather have one in Mulberry Red.
I learned to drive on #3 and also drove #4, both 1000s. #4 left me stranded twice due to water in the electrics because of the dizzy being perfectly placed to catch spray, top centre of the grille, at the very front [eyeroll]
Don't like the interior on Spotted, prefer the central speedo layout for these.
Big reminder of how right BMW got the first of their modern MINIs
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