Mini Cooper Sport

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When racer and A-series engine tuner John Cooper test drove a prototype of Alex Issigonis’ Mini in 1960, he realised the competition potential of the little car.

Cooper set about modifying the engine, giving the 848cc four-pot engine a longer stroke, taking the capacity up to 997cc. He also fitted SU carburettors and added a close-ratio gearbox. Power was up from 34 to 55bhp. The resulting Mini Cooper was launched in September 1961, and was soon out on race tracks and rally stages. The Cooper developed through the 1,071cc 'S' of 1963 to the 1275 'S' of 1964, which pushed out 75bhp and was capable of a genuine 100mph, quite some speed in its day.

Move forward to 1990 and the Mini Cooper made a reappearance in factory-built limited edition form as part of a Rover marketing plan. The mechanical development was outsourced to ERA at Dunstable, and the first of the new Coopers, fitted with a catalysed 1275cc MG Metro engine, were built between April and May 1990.

With their Minilite wheels, white roofs and broad bonnet stripes (emblazoned with Cooper’s signature), the edition quickly sold out. A mainstream Mini Cooper was introduced the following September. The final version boasted 90bhp, a five-speed gearbox leather trim and even airbags. The Cooper was so successful that it was soon outselling the standard model until it made its final bow in 2000.

This beautifully kept British Racing Green Mini Cooper Sport comes from the final year of this legendary car’s production. It has also been in the possession of that other British motoring legend – one careful lady owner (to be fair, it was also briefly registered to her husband but has always been her car). Bearing testament to her cautious custodianship is a milometer reading of just 14,960 miles from new, warranted by a fully stamped-up service book, every MOT certificate and a sheaf of garage bills.

The Mini has had a front end body rebuild by a coachbuilder, the inner arches being cut away to stop rust. Recently, the black plastic roof gutter cover was discarded and the whole roof refinished, again to stop any rust. There have been a few minor upgrades, such as clear light clusters front and rear, but overall the car is very standard.

MOTd to April 2015 and taxed until next September, this low mileage cracker will never go down in value provided the next owner doesn’t drive it too much – which could prove a very hard temptation to resist...