Behold the Mini Cooper S anniversary special

60 years of the Cooper S and 75 of the Cooper Car Company marked with limited edition Mini

There isn’t a petrolhead on the planet that isn't partial to a Mini; be it as a road car, a race car or even a rally car, it’s impossible not to be captivated. 2023 is a huge year for the most famous small car around, too, as it’s both 60 years since the first Cooper S and 75 years since the Cooper Car Company was created.

To mark the occasion, the Brightwell Company and the Cooper Car Company (now headed up by John Cooper’s son Mike) have collaborated to create the fabulous little Mini you see here. There will be 20 of these anniversary special editions made, all built from original, pre-67 Austin or Morris Mini Coopers or Cooper S models, with the very best in 21st-century bits used to create the Mini restomod that dreams are made of. Every example will mirror the spec seen here: Connaught Cooper Green with an Old English White roof as those were the colours of the Cooper Car Company works Minis that raced in the 60s. Each of the 20 will be rust proofed before painting, to ensure ‘they live on for many years’. Good to hear.

Under the bonnet will be, of course, the little A Series; bored out to 1,380cc from the original 1,275cc, it’s been treated to all the good stuff: a Swiftune cam, new pistons (buyers can choose from Powermax or Omega), twin SU carbs, new valves and an 11.0:1 compression ratio. The gearbox is a close-ratio four-speed, to ensure you’re never out of what promises to be a very exciting powerband. The additional performance will be marshalled by four-piston calipers clamping vented discs and suspension with adjustable caster, camber and Koni adjustable dampers. You just know it’s going to be an absolute hoot to drive.

What marks this Brightwell/Cooper Car Company Cooper S out though, is the look. From the rose petal alloys to the beautiful Moto Lita wheel, it’s a stunning recreation of what were iconic Mini racing cars. Note as well the gold brocade inserts inside with the red carpets (a colour combination unique to this car), ‘C, C, C’ badges for the aluminium pedals, new dials, decals, a Cooper gearknob and the bespoke toolkit to match the interior upholstery. There have, of course, been many lovely Minis over the years, but this is a real treat. There’s a USB port in there somewhere, too.

Mike Cooper said of the new car: “I know Scott [Turner, at Brightwell) and his amazing work and with the Brightwell team and infrastructure we found the perfect fit. These cars will be very special and I’m thrilled about the project. There will be 20 very happy customers when they take delivery of their new Cooper Car Company Minis.” We don’t doubt that for a second. They’re going to be offered in right- and left-hand drive, with customers able to offer up their existing cars for conversion if desired. All UK cars will be sourced with valid V5Cs, and all 20 will get a presentation pack on delivery with photos of the project as well as a Cooper Car Company certificate.

As for a price, there isn’t one publicly available. But we all know classic Minis are not a cheap business anymore; see what David Brown is doing for evidence of that. And this one, with Cooper Car Company involvement, will surely be even more desirable. Best move fast to secure one of the 20 - the classifieds are this way…

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Robertb

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