Highlights

A very nicely presented example of the MK VI Mini in 1.3i Cooper specification
Professionally resprayed around 3 years ago and lightly used since
With a low, original mileage and reams of provenance providing paperwork

The Appeal

In the wake of the Suez Oil Crisis and as Britain’s take on the low cost, peoples’ car concept, the Mini hit the roads in 1959. It was a design masterpiece courtesy of, the now legendary, Alec Issigonis. It revolutionised the way in which cars were packaged with its simple, but brilliant, longitudinal engine layout. This approach combined with others, like the tiny 10-inch wheels, meant that an amazing 80% of the car was given over to its four passengers. A happy by-product of its wheel at each corner, squat design was that it proved a hoot to drive and, thus, soon endeared itself to drivers the world over.

By the time our example rolled out of Longbridge in 1995, the Mini was already 36 years old and being produced in its Mark VI guise. This iteration now included a bigger 1,275cc fuel injected engine and a considerably plusher interior. Our example it a little gem. It is presented in the popular British Racing Green livery and is awash with charming Cooper-esque details.

The History and Paperwork

This example was first registered in February 1995
Between then and now it has been used and enjoyed by 7 previous owners
The current owner acquired the car in 2020 to become its eighth keeper
He bought it from a friend who had owned the car for several years
In its current ownership it has enjoyed a professional respray
Since that time, it has covered less than 1,000 miles
It only comes to market now due to a lack of use
The Mini is complete with an extensive paperwork file
This includes the V5 in the name of the owner
The current MoT is also present in hard copy
This is valid until February 2024 and is advisory free
The original book pack is present including the service booklet
The latter shows services at regular intervals up to around 30,000 miles
There are lots of invoices on hand detailing maintenance and repair work undertaken
Numerous hard copy MoTs help provide corroboration of mileage

The Interior

The iconic Mini still provides an object lesson in car packaging
Considering the car’s miniscule footprint, the interior is surprisingly accommodating
In this 1.3 Cooper guise the upholstery is a combination of leather and fabric
The front seats feature fabric centres in a black, self-patterned “lightning-bolt” design
The bolsters are finished in black leather
Red piping to the seat edges helps round off the sporty ambiance
The condition appears to be excellent overall
There is an area of very minor wear to the driver’s seat bolster
The rear bench seat is finished in the same way
The signature big rear storage bins are situated either side of the rear bench
The car is carpeted in bright red and the carpet condition appears sound
The front carpets are protected by Mini Cooper branded protective mats
The instrument binnacle houses striking black on white gauges
These consist of a speedometer, tachometer and a multi-purpose third gauge
A smattering of switches occupies the centre section of the dash
A “Cooper” emblazoned, three spoke steering wheel is fitted
Door cards are finished in a combination of fabric and leather
The light headlining is clean and tightly fitted
The small boot houses a spare wheel, jack and tool set

The Exterior

This example presents very well in a metallic British Racing Green livery
Twin stripes in Wimbledon White adorn the extremities of the bonnet
The roof is also finished in white in true Cooper fashion
The car benefitted from a professional respray early in its current ownership
As such the condition of paint and bodywork appears exemplary
The green exudes a high shine and contains a high level of metallic flake
There is plenty of Cooper detail to feast the eyes on, too
This includes twin driving lights and black wheel arch extensions
Badges front and rear are Cooper specific
Delicate, double side coach lines in white terminate in “Mini Cooper” laurel emblems
The wing mirrors are white backed to match the roof and bonnet stripes
Our car sits purposefully on silver painted Minilite style alloy wheels
These 12-inch items feature large Cooper centre caps
A fresh-looking set of Yokohama tyres are fitted in a 165/60 configuration
The over impression created is eye catching and endearing in equal measure

The Mechanics

In this MKVI Mini, engine mounts were revised to allow the 1,275cc unit to be fitted
In our example that is the single-point fuel injected version of the A-Series
In this configuration power was quoted at 62 bhp and 70 Ib-ft of torque
In a car weighing just 700 kgs dry, this is sufficient for a spirited performance
This is combined with the Mini’s renowned “go-kart like” directness
This combination makes for a highly entertaining driving experience
Our car has clearly been well maintained and lightly used
It is no surprise, then, to report that it is in a fine mechanical fettle
The car started and idled perfectly during our visit
The current owner reports no known mechanical issues
The under-bonnet presentation is good overall
The underside of the car appears to be in good condition for its age
This is a Mini Cooper which is ready to use and enjoy by its lucky new owner

Summary

There are few cars that have shaped the automotive world in the way that the Mini has. Other examples could include the Volkswagen Beetle and the Citroen 2CV, perhaps. What sets the Mini apart, however, is the way it drives. You really can’t help but smile whilst sampling its winning combination of direct handling and peppy, eager engine. Once experienced, never forgotten.

This example represents a fine ownership proposition, too. It has been lightly and sympathetically used throughout its life. Its paperwork archive suggests rigorous and regular maintenance at all points in its history. The current owner has also helped future proof it with a recent, professional respray, too. What additional reasons do you need to get behind the wheel of this delightful Mini Copper 1.3i? Surely, none so bid today.

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