MINI Sunday Service | PH Review
A V8-swapped monster, a Jacuzzi on wheels, and over 350 MINIs. Here's what went down at Plant Oxford...
Last weekend, over 600 of you descended on MINI Plant Oxford for our biggest Sunday Service of 2026 so far. The excuse? Celebrating 25 years of the modern MINI (which officially hits the quarter-century mark this month). With over 350 MINIs gracing the Oxford Plant’s car park, it was a proper, full-fat birthday bash.
The timeline of machinery was brilliant, stretching from pristine '60s originals right up to box-fresh ’26-plate JCWs. We also welcomed one of our largest collections of modified cars this year, including an always-welcome appearance by "Vini" - Powerflex’s rear-wheel-drive, M3 V8-swapped monster. It’s a wonderful reminder of what happens when brilliant British shed-engineering meets a total disregard for tyre longevity.
Naturally, you lot also brought the usual eclectic mix of non-MINI metal, because nothing says Sunday Service quite like a TVR Sagaris, a Bullitt Mustang, a raucous Focus RS, and the obligatory swarm of Porsche 911 GT3s.
Plant Oxford - which holds the impressive pub-quiz title of the world’s third-longest-running continuous vehicle factory - pulled out all the stops. They brought out some of the weirdest and most wonderful concepts from their archives, including the MINI XXL (a six-metre limo complete with a fully functional whirlpool Jacuzzi, because why not?) and the DSquared² MINI (a chunky, bull-barred, off-road Cooper S).
Inside the museum, a fantastic selection spanning MINI's history was on display, right from the original Morris construction through to GP race cars, and even the battered R53 JCW stunt car hurled around by Charlize Theron in the 2003 Italian Job remake. A massive tip of the hat is also owed to PHer Steve, who joined our PistonHeads display in the 10-millionth MINI ever made, parking it nicely alongside the 1-millionth modern MINI brought out by the factory.
Huge thanks to Average Joes for providing the morning's caffeine, and to Burnout BBQ for keeping the masses fed. Burnout will be back for our upcoming Annual Service, hopefully dragging their frankly insane 1,000hp Corvette along with them.
Our Annual Service title sponsors, Michelin, were on site with their specially wrapped JCW too, alongside our partners at 1st Tickets, who brought along an excellent MINI GP2 (complete with a rather superb number plate).
Speaking of 1st Tickets, consider this your official warning: there are only a few spaces remaining for the 2026 Le Mans PistonHeads Camping. Classic spaces are still available, so be sure to book your spot if you want to join us in France.
Before we wrap up, a massive thank you is due to the incredible team at MINI and MINI Plant Oxford. Opening up the factory grounds, the archives, and the museum for a horde of petrolheads on a Sunday morning is no small feat, and they made us all feel immensely welcome. If you missed out, don't panic. The PH calendar is just getting warmed up. Join us for our next excuse to stand around talking about cars: PistonHeads On The Beach on Sunday 24 May. Until then, keep those engines running, and we’ll see you on the forums - remember to share your images here.
Had a hyper blue R53 back then, hence my username, and my other hobby.
I think mine was one of 2 roadsters present and possibly the rarest "production mini " on site outside of the museum.
According to "how many left" 126 only ever uk registered...
I didn't take any pictures, and had to leave early,,,, but equally it's not a show car it gets used and enjoyed.
Despite all the internet hostility a properly maintained JCW ...N14 Goes very well, no oil leaks, death rattles etc
Been using it on track 2 or 3 times a year since 2017, goes far better than most expect which just adds to the fun factor.
My ex bought 2 of the first million built, the second one being an R56 Cooper that she collected just in time for Christmas 2006 - and she still loves it.
Had a hyper blue R53 back then, hence my username, and my other hobby.
I think mine was one of 2 roadsters present and possibly the rarest "production mini " on site outside of the museum.
According to "how many left" 126 only ever uk registered...
I didn't take any pictures, and had to leave early,,,, but equally it's not a show car it gets used and enjoyed.
Despite all the internet hostility a properly maintained JCW ...N14 Goes very well, no oil leaks, death rattles etc
Been using it on track 2 or 3 times a year since 2017, goes far better than most expect which just adds to the fun factor.
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